Tag: Christian Leary

WATCH: Alabama commit compares his game to Tide greats

Four star WR Christian Leary shared a highlight video on that shows how his skillset and game play is similar to Ruggs and Waddle. 

Four star wide receiver Christian Leary tweeted out a highlight video on Thursday morning that shows how his skillset and game play is similar to Henry Ruggs III and Jaylen Waddle.

Leary committed to Alabama earlier this week over Oklahoma, Auburn, and more.

Leary is the No. 130 overall prospect, the No. 23 wide receiver and the No. 20 player from the state of Florida, according to the 247Sports composite rankings.

Leary shared with BamaOnline.com what Saban shared with him and why he chose Alabama:

” I just know they’re going to get me to that next level. I’m fast, but I know I can do more. I know they can get me there. Being in their offense, being around that culture.

When (Saban) turned my film on he said he just thought of (Jaylen) Waddle and the ways they could use me. He was talking about all the recruits they’ve got and my speed and how I was just what they had missing.

I have no doubt at all in my decision. I left it up to God. I know I’m in the right place. There’s no doubt at all.”

Charles Power from 247Sports had this to say about Leary, the incredible 5-foot-9, 180-pound receiver:

“Shorter in stature with a thick, developed lower body. Has added around ten pounds of mass from his sophomore to junior years of high school One of the faster wide receivers on the track in the 2021 cycle and posted some sensational times in the 100 meters early in the spring prior to his senior season. Helped Edgewater to a state title berth as a junior. Productive as a receiver and direct-snap run threat. Transfers his high-level top-end speed to the football field. Pulls away from defenders with ease once in the open field with a long, explosive stride. Dangerous in several facets and a threat to score whenever he touches the ball. Skilled in the open field, whether it’s in catch and run situations, as a rusher or return man. Also has the play strength to run with some power. Shows ability to locate and track the ball as a downfield target. Looks like a multi-purpose, versatile offensive weapon at the next level. Will need to continue adding to his skill set as a route-runner as he runs a fairly limited route tree to this point- even more important for a shorter wide receiver. Projects as a Power Five starter with the upside to develop into a NFL Draft selection.”

Stay tuned for more recruiting updates from Roll Tide Wire, part of USA TODAY Sports!

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BREAKING: Alabama lands 4-star WR out of Florida

The Alabama Crimson Tide kept its momentum going on the recruiting trail with the addition of another four-star prospect.

After a rocky start with its 2021 class, the Alabama Crimson Tide continue to pick things up on the recruiting trail. On Tuesday night, Nick Saban and company picked up a major commitment from one of the top receivers in the state of Florida.

Christian Leary, a four-star prospect from Edgewater, chose announced via his Twitter account that he had chosen the Tide over Oklahoma, Auburn and several other top programs:

Leary is the No. 130 overall prospect, the No. 23 wide receiver and the No. 20 player from the state of Florida, according to the 247Sports composite rankings.

Charles Power with 247Sports had this to say about the 5-foot-9, 180-pound receiver:

Shorter in stature with a thick, developed lower body. Has added around ten pounds of mass from his sophomore to junior years of high school One of the faster wide receivers on the track in the 2021 cycle and posted some sensational times in the 100 meters early in the spring prior to his senior season. Helped Edgewater to a state title berth as a junior. Productive as a receiver and direct-snap run threat. Transfers his high-level top-end speed to the football field. Pulls away from defenders with ease once in the open field with a long, explosive stride. Dangerous in several facets and a threat to score whenever he touches the ball. Skilled in the open field, whether it’s in catch and run situations, as a rusher or return man. Also has the play strength to run with some power. Shows ability to locate and track the ball as a downfield target. Looks like a multi-purpose, versatile offensive weapon at the next level. Will need to continue adding to his skill set as a route-runner as he runs a fairly limited route tree to this point- even more important for a shorter wide receiver. Projects as a Power Five starter with the upside to develop into a NFL Draft selection.

Leary is commitment No. 8 for Alabama’s 2021 class, which now consists of one five-star, six four-stars and one three-star. Prior to his commitment, the Tide had the No. 29 overall class (No. 8 in the SEC), but his pledge should mean a sizable jump in those rankings in the near future.

Stay tuned for more recruiting updates from Roll Tide Wire, part of the USA TODAY Sports College Wire sites!

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May recruiting update: Trio of four-star receivers still on the board for Oklahoma

Oklahoma has sent four receivers to the NFL in the last four NFL Drafts. OU still has a trio of 4-star wide recievers on the board for 2021.

Oklahoma has become one of four teams since 2000 to have a wide receiver taken in the first round of the NFL Draft in back-to-back years.

Under Lincoln Riley, the Sooners have put four receivers into the NFL in five seasons with Sterling Shepard, Dede Westbrook, Marquise Brown and CeeDee Lamb. The Sooners have a trio of five-star wide receivers on campus for the 2019 class, and have plenty of talent left on the board for them in 2021.

Here is where Oklahoma’s wide receiver board stands in May for the 2021 recruiting class.

*The star and position rating is according to Rivals.com.

MARIO WILLIAMS—FOUR-STAR—NO. 3 WR

One of the country’s most electrifying recruits has shown a fond interest of Oklahoma. Mario Williams is routinely mentioned alongside five-star quarterback Caleb Williams’ name as the two and the Oklahoma coaching staff continues to hint at something coming.

CODY JACKSON—FOUR-STAR—NO. 31 WR

Cody Jackson is Oklahoma’s longest tenured commitment in the 2021 recruiting class. Jackson hails from the same high school in Texas as star receiver CeeDee Lamb, and that connection paid off early for the Sooners.

JALIL FAROOQ—FOUR-STAR—NO. 33 WR

With Caleb Williams, the range of his brand and following is big back in the Delaware, Maryland, Virginia area. Jalil Farooq is name from the same region of the country that started to get more steam in the recent months.

J. MICHAEL STURDIVANT—THREE-STAR—NO. 56 WR

The most intriguing recruit on either side of the ball for Oklahoma in 2021. J. Michael Sturdivant was an early evaluation by the Sooners and his junior tape speaks volumes into the player he could become. He is probably one of the few bigger bodied receivers that could play a wide receiver role at Oklahoma.

CHRISTIAN LEARY—THREE-STAR—NO. 33 ATH

Christian Leary has been mentioned in the same breath as Caleb Williams and Mario Williams. Leary is a burner from the state of Florida that Oklahoma and a host of other top schools in the country like Ohio State, Alabama and in-state Florida.

KEON COLEMAN—THREE-STAR—UNRANKED WR

Oklahoma is in pursuit of a big bodied receiver in 2021. Keon Coleman is another example of that. The Louisiana native has been talking up Oklahoma quite a bit on Twitter as of late and has been one of the few virtual visitors for Lincoln Riley during the coronavirus pandemic.

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Highly recruited receiver Christian Leary has Oklahoma in his top-six

Four star receiver 2021 receiver Christian Leary included Oklahoma in his final six that he released on Twitter on Friday. 

Four star receiver 2021 receiver Christian Leary included Oklahoma in his final six that he released on Twitter on Friday. 

The Orlando, Florida, Native is a three-star according to Rivals.com.

Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Ohio State and West Virginia rounded out the rest of his remaining schools. 

Despite his lack of size at 5-foot-9, Leary is already 190 pounds and has blazing speed that Lincoln Riley could add to his arsenal. Riley has proven he’s been able to utilize the speed with Marquise Brown, who finished with over 1,000 yards in his two season with the Sooners. Brown averaged 18.3 yards per catch in college. 

The Sooners currently have four commits in their 2021 class. Defensive back Jordan Mukes, offensive linemen Cullen Montgomery, defensive end Ethan Downs and receiver Cody Jackson make up Oklahoma’s 2021 class, which ranked 50th in the nation according to Rivals. 

Texas currently leads the Big 12 in the 2021 hunt with the 14th ranked class, followed by Iowa State at 23rd and Baylor and West Virginia at 25th and 26th, respectively. 

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Highly recruited Oklahoma wide receiver target Christian Leary announces commitment date

The light at the end of the tunnel is officially there for Oklahoma football recruiting. Christian Leary has set his commitment date.

The light at the end of the tunnel is officially there for Oklahoma football recruiting.

Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch picked up one commitment in Jordan Mukes during this dead period for recruiting, but that didn’t move the needle much. The Sooners have been hinting at a “serious three” group of recruits and there are two other silent commits out there that Lincoln Riley has alluded to.

Maybe one of the five players being hinted at is ready to make a commitment. Oklahoma wide receiver target Christian Leary announced a commitment date on Friday.

Leary, an Orlando, Florida, native, is rated as a three-star recruit on Rivals, but his offer sheet doesn’t match the current or past evaluation. He has reported offers from Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Ohio State amongst many other top power-five conference schools wanting his signature.

Five-star quarterback and the No. 1 quarterback in the 2021 recruiting class said he had been talking to Leary over the past couple weeks on Monday. Caleb Williams has mentioned time and time again how he wants to bring in a top recruiting class wherever he goes, and he has talked up Oklahoma more than any school in his top five.

The Sooners currently have four commitments in the 2021 recruiting class. As of Thursday night, Oklahoma has had back-to-back first-round wide receiver selections in the 2019 (Marquise Brown) NFL Draft and 2020 (CeeDee Lamb) NFL Draft.

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