Notebook: Rivals Camp Hoover
The Rivals Camp Series presented by Under Armour arrives in Hoover, Ala. on Sunday. Many of the state's premier prospects will participate in the invite-only event where they will compete in agility drills, position drills and one-on-one competition.
The best high school players in the state Alabama aren't afraid of competition which includes four Rivals100 members Daron Payne, five-star defensive tackle from Shades Valley High School, Tyler Carr, four-star offensive tackle from Southside High School, and Kerryon Johnson, four-star running back from Madison Academy High School. Desherrius Flowers, four-star running back and Alabama commitment from Vigor High School in Prichard, will compete at the Rivals Camp in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Saturday.
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Plenty of other high-profile prospects are looking to prove they belong in consideration for the Rivals100. Lester Cotton, four-star offensive guard and Alabama commitment from Central High School in Tuscaloosa, added his name to the camp list this week. Darrell Williams, four-star linebacker from Hoover High School, Richard McBryde, four-star linebacker from Charles Henderson High School in Troy, and Nick Gibson, four-star running back from Pinson Valley High School, will compete in Hoover. All are members of the Rivals250.
Several players, well into double-digit scholarship offers, are looking to impress and hoping to increase their offer list. These include Keaton Anderson, three-star linebacker from Florence High School, Maurice Smitherman, three-star cornerback from Minor High School in Adamsvile, Traveon Samuel, three-star running back from Central High School in Phenix City, Dee Smith, safety from Florence High School, and Quandeski Whitlow, defensive end from Opelika High School.
The state features a few prospects who are still looking to gain the national recognition including Jamarius Henderson, athlete from Dale County High School in Midland City, Amonte Caban, linebacker from Smiths Station High School, Brandon Kennedy, offensive guard from Wetumpka High School, Darryl Williams, offensive guard from Bessemer City High School, athlete Terrelle West, and Kendall Jones, defensive end from Clay-Chalkville High School, Troy Thingstad, lineman from St. Paul's Episcopal School in Mobile, Trey Turner, athlete from Murphy High School in Mobile, Mario Osborne, defensive end from Daphne High School, Jarmarkus Sims, safety from Dothan High School, and Anfernee Mullins, athlete from Aliceville High School. Osborne and Sims will compete in Hattiesburg.
Several three-stars who are locked in for the camps this weekend include Jauntavius Johnson, defensive tackle from Lincoln High School, Justin Johnson, wide receiver from Hoover High School, Keith Mixon, running back from Shades Valley High School, and Jalen Harris, tight end from St. James High School in Montgomery. Jaleen Thomas, running back from Northview High School in Dothan, will attend the camp in Hattiesburg.
Very few players with scholarship offers are not participating in the camps this weekend. Christian Bell, four-star defensive end, and Bradrick Shaw, four-star running back form Hoover High School, will compete in a national track meet in New York. Bell will attend the Rivals Camp in Atlanta on March 29. Anfernee Jennings, three-star defensive end and Alabama commitment from Dadeville High School, has transportation issues. Jalen Thompson, three-star cornerback from St. Paul's Episcopal School in Mobile, has baseball obligations.
The headliners competing in the 2016 class include Malik Miller, athlete from Madison Academy High School, Lyndell Wilson, linebacker from Carver High School in Montgomery, Marlon Davidson, defensive end from Greenville High School, Darius Whitfield, defensive lineman from St. Paul's Episcopal School in Mobile, John Broussard, cornerback from Central High School in Phenix City, Tyler Pritchett, offensive guard from Calera High School, Tre Nation, running back from Leeds High School and Jeremiah Moon, linebacker from Hoover High School.
The camp is not limited to rising seniors and juniors only. A few in-state 2017 prospects are also ready for competition. AJ Harris, athlete from Bob Jones High School in Madison, received an offer from Florida State last week. Markail Benton, linebacker from Central High School in Phenix City, was named the linebacker MVP of the VTO Camp in Birmingham two weeks ago. He looks like a top three in-state player for his class. Alaric Williams, athlete from Southside High School, is considered by many as the next big thing to come out of the northeast part of the state.
New offers in Alabama
Amonte Caban, linebacker from Smiths Station High School, received offers this week from Cincinnati and Kentucky. He lists Mississippi State as his favorite.
Richard McBryde, four-star linebacker from Charles Henderson High School in Troy, added new offers this week from Florida and Nebraska. Jalen Harris, three-star tight end from St. James High School in Montgomery, received an offer from Louisville.
Christian Bell, Rivals250 defensive end from Hoover High School, received an offer from UCLA. His teammate, Bradrick Shaw Rivals250 running back, also added a big offer from Wisconsin. Teammates Terrelle West, running back, and Kendall Jones, defensive end from Clay-Chalkville High School, were offered by Western Kentucky.
Thomas Johnston, 2017 linebacker from Spanish Fort High School, received his first offer on Wednesday from Clemson. His older brother, Tyler Johnston 2016 quarterback, has an offer from UAB.
Keith Mixon, three-star running back from Shades Valley High School, received offer No. 8 on Wednesday from UAB.