Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Miami, and Tennessee are featured prominently in this recruiting update.
Having been on the road for the last seven weekends has yielded a lot of great material to be used in future content creation, but I’ve not had much time to share the knowledge gained with readers of the Crootletter. My next trip is not until April 22, so expect your inbox to be pinging more frequently over the next two weeks.
Today I’ll start with a roundup of prospect notes.
I attended the Under Armour All-America Camp in Atlanta this past weekend. It was a great mix of upperclassmen, as well as younger players. Fifty of the 60 members of the classes of 2019-20 already had an offer from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida State, Florida, Georgia, or LSU.
Deontrey Hill, an elite guard prospect out of Warner Robbins (Ga.) Houston County is a massive lineman with good feet for his 6’4, 340-pound body. I really like his aggressiveness, but also his body control. It’s easy to get over-extended and off balance at that size and age (Hill is only 17). He told me that he will likely visit Auburn for the Tigers’ spring game this coming weekend, and maintains that he does not have a top school. But Georgia media I spoke with believe Hill will sign with Georgia.
I was impressed with the agility of running back Harold Joiner, a 6’3, 218-pound running back out of Mountain Brook (Ala.). Auburn and LSU are in a good spot for the four-star, and he could see a ratings boost, as he is currently just outside the top 300 nationally in the 247Sports Composite.
Washington (D.C.) St. John’s College Prep athlete Kwincy Hall is small, but very quick. At 5’6 and 170 pounds, he was basically unguardable from the running back or receiver position. I know, I know, “don’t fall in love with tiny players at non-contact events.” But still, for him to have this level of athleticism and only have an offer from Navy surprised me. I expect he’ll be getting a few more soon, as he could be a real asset in space for a spread team.
I was intrigued by Montgomery (Ala.) Lanier QB James Foster. Foster has good size at 6’3, athleticism, and threw the ball well on Saturday. If some top schools strike out on the few remaining elite QB targets, and Foster continues to improve, his options could greatly expand.
Center Clay Webb was a 2019 recruit who impressed me with his strength and technique. From Oxford (Ala.), Webb already holds offers Alabama, Auburn, and Georgia.
I was also very impressed with receiver Kearis Jackson, of Fort Valley (Ga.) Peach County. He is solidly built at 5’11 or 6’0 and 200 pounds, with strong hands and good athleticism. Jackson earned an invite to the Under Armour All-America Game thanks to his performance. Jackson is currently rated a top-150 player, and I don’t see that changing. Most I spoke with seem to expect Jackson to stay in state.
Fellow top-150 receiver Matthew Hill showed off great speed and hands. The The 6’2, 180-pounder out of Snellville (Ga.) Brookwood. Auburn, Florida State, Florida, Tennessee, and South Carolina are among his top schools.
Ohio State QB commitment Emory Jones recently took a quiet visit to Georgia that he didn’t discuss. But he did talk about upcoming visits to Florida, Florida State, and Alabama. He also told me why he is taking other visits, what Ohio State’s coaches think about his trips despite being committed, and gave a percentage on his level of commitment of the Buckeyes. This could be a situation to watch.
Defense
On the defensive side of the football, Greg Emerson of Jackson (Tenn.) North Side showed some great burst to go with his 290-pound build. He was far too much for most offensive linemen to handle. He would be a major piece for Tennessee if he picks the Vols, but Alabama, Georgia, and others are on him, as well.
Richard Jibunor, of Athens (Ga.) Christian is a prospect who jumped onto my radar. Currently rated a three-star, the Nigeria native is 6’3.5, 215 pounds, and has shown pass rush and cover ability in recent weeks, despite playing only two years of football so far. Despite his three-star early rating (again, early ratings are not worth much), Auburn and Alabama have already offered.
Jaycee Horn, the son of former NFL star Joe Horn, is a cornerback to watch. In March alone, the current three-star picked up offers from Alabama, Auburn, LSU, and Ohio State. The 6’0, 175-pounder showed good hips for his size and stuck with many top receivers.
Tru Thompson, of Loganville (Ga.) Grayson is a name to know for 2019. The 6’0, 320-pound Thompson faced some of the best upperclassmen offensive line prospects in the country, and actually won a rep against Deontrey Hill. He is committed to Florida State.
Montgomery (Ala.) Lanier High defensive line recruit Alfred Thomas has been racking up offers of late. The quiet four-star told me what he thinks of Georgia, Alabama, Auburn, Louisville, Missouri, and North Carolina, and revealed an early leader.
Four-star Greater Atlanta Christian School athlete Kyler McMichael spoke about Michigan, Clemson, Tennessee, Florida State, and Alabama. Most schools are interested in him as a defensive back.
I’ll have more on Georgia prospects soon after I review the video I shot at the event.