News on recruiting the all-important SEC defensive linemen

[jbcarol]

Top DT target Matt Elam stays neutral at Alabama-Kentucky game

Matt Elam didn't want to hurt anybody's feelings -- or give anything away. So the big defensive tackle from Elizabethtown (Ky.) John Hardin, whose recruitment is expected to be a battle between Alabama and Kentucky, showed up to Saturday's game between the Crimson Tide and Wildcats in Lexington wearing an Alabama shirt and a UK jacket.

"I just wanted to be neutral and not hurt anybody's feelings on that," Elam said...

"With UK, it was the environment up there, how the coaches were, and how they played against the No. 1 team in the nation," he said. "On Bama's side, it was just playing at that elite level in the SEC while on an away game. I looked at the D-line and the schemes they play. I've seen UK play a lot. this time, I mainly focused on Alabama and how I would fit into their program."

The 6-foot-6, 350-pounder, a five-star prospect according to 247Sports, is a priority recruit for both Alabama and Kentucky and plans to visit Alabama for the LSU game. He'll be in South Bend this weekend on an official visit to Notre Dame for the Irish's game against USC.

Photo: Vasha Hunt

[jbcarol]

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/10/alabama_auburn_getting_strong.html

Arkansas and Texas A&M have long been considered the teams to beat for four-star defensive tackle Josh Frazier of Springdale (Ark.) Har-Ber.



But Frazier (6-3, 308) told Rivals.com this week that Alabama and Auburn are more than just token names on the list of schools he's considering.


"It's pretty even," Frazier told Rivals. "I really like all of them. The reason I like Auburn is because of Coach (Gus) Malzahn. They were the No. 2 team in the country when he coached at Springdale. He is a legend in Arkansas. My head coach was under him. That's the reason I like them.

"Alabama is the No. 1 team in the country. They put guys in NFL. They are going to make sure you work hard. I need to get there to see the new facilities. I always really like that Coach (Nick) Saban said I have a chance for early playing time."

Frazier, who was in College Station for Alabama's game at Texas A&M, was supposed to come to Tuscaloosa this weekend for an official visit, but changed it to December at the request of the Crimson Tide coaching staff.  Alabama has sought to delay some official visits until after the season in order to spend more time with the prospects.


Frazier will take his official to Auburn for the Iron Bowl on Nov. 29.

[jbcarol]

6.0-rated Gladewater DT Daylon Mack gave a verbal to A&M.

[jbcarol]

GoVolsXtra ‏@GoVolsXtra 6h
Junior-college DT Abu Lamin planning to visit Tennessee Vols...

5.8-rated 6'5" 315 at Fort Scott CC.

[jbcarol]

Shades Valley defensive tackle Daron Payne, a 6-foot-3, 315-pound lineman, is rated by 247Sports as the No. 1 player in the state of Alabama for the 2015 class and the No. 1 defensive tackle prospect in the nation. The elite junior has already received plenty of attention from Alabama and Auburn and plans to take unofficial visits to both schools in the coming weeks.

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/11/5-star_defensive_tackle_daron.html

Has offers from the Mississippi schools, So. Carolina, Clemson and more.

[Steef]

Golly. Wonder where he'll end up?

/sarcasm

[jbcarol]

Matt Powell ‏@MattPowell606 5 Nov
Happy UK got the Lyles kid for bball but really hope they land @FballIsLife69 for the best sport.
Retweeted by Matt Elam™6⃣9⃣

Matt Elam is the number two ranked DT in the nation by 24/7.

[jbcarol]

Auburn still hunting for DTs, may be trying to flip Georgia commit Dontavius Russell

Mike Farrell reported this week that four-star Georgia commitment Dontavius Russell of Carrollton (Ga.) has been paying a lot of attention to the Tigers and could be a flip possibility for the Tigers. The Bulldogs have two other defensive tackles committed in four-star prospects Kendall Baker and Lamont Gaillard...

[jbcarol]

Michael Carvell ‏@RecruitingAJC 6h
What's the latest with #UGA DT target? --> http://bit.ly/18dcn0W

The football future of one of the nation's top prospects at defensive tackle is still up in the air.

Tucker High School's Elisha Shaw, who at one point this season was ranked among Georgia's top five overall college football prospects, has been ruled out for the state playoffs due to a neck injury.

The 6-foot-4, 310-pounder has not played at all as a senior after sustaining the injury while going too low to make a tackle in an August scrimmage. Shaw worked hard to return for the playoffs, but his coaches decided against it.

"He won't be playing. He's out for the year," Tucker coach Bryan Lamar told the AJC.

"We just thought we'd give him time to heal. The longer he heals, the better it's going to be. We decided to give him time. We didn't want to take the risk of putting him out there, and having him get re-injured. That would be a setback. It wasn't worth that risk."

Shaw had an early offers (sic)  from Alabama, UGA, Ole Miss, Miami and several high-profile junior colleges, among others...

If and when Elisha Shaw takes official visits, doctors from that particular college will get to examine him and determine his future ability to play.

Shaw has been able to work on academic eligibility while unable to play.

[jbcarol]

5.9-rated 6-3, 310 '15 Shreveport Woodlawn TD Moton gave a verbal to State.

H/T: https://twitter.com/JTalty

[jbcarol]

AL.com sports ‏@aldotcomSports 7h
JUCO defensive tackle Dalvon Stuckey commits to Auburn http://ow.ly/r2gO2

[jbcarol]

Dalvon Stuckey, 247Sports

[jbcarol]

L.Joshua Frazier ‏@JoshuaFrazier99 3m
Ok I still love my favorite reporter @Allie_Davison but Auburn Is out. 2 down 2 more to go.

[jbcarol]

L.Joshua Frazier ‏@JoshuaFrazier99 4m
Love the coaching staff and everything at Texas A&M but I'm set on Arky and Bama. So it is down to those Two.

[NoNC4Tubs]

L.Joshua Frazier ‏@JoshuaFrazier99 3m
Ok I still love my favorite reporter @Allie_Davison but Auburn Is out. 2 down 2 more to go.

Smart kid........

[jbcarol]

L.Joshua Frazier ‏@JoshuaFrazier99 2m
Ok Arkansas I'm sorry but I've decided Alabama. I hope u will still support me when I go rep Arkansas in Alabama.

[jbcarol]

'16 St. Thomas Aquinas DT Ed Alexander gave a verbal to LSU after the A&M win.

[jbcarol]

5.5-rated 285-lb Butler CC DT Owen Williams has given a verbal to Tennessee. He had been committed to TTech.

[jbcarol]

Bama's top ranked DT signees (2011-2013)

2011
Jesse Williams      6.0  Arizona Western CC (Seattle Seahawks)
LaMichael Fanning  5.8  Harris Co., GA 

2012
Dalvin Tomlinson   5.8  Henry Co., GA
Korren Kirven       5.8  Lynchburg, VA

2013
A'Shawn Robinson  6.1  Ft. Worth, TX
Darius Paige         5.8   Foley, AL (transfer from Pensacola, FL)

[jbcarol]

Bama and UK target and John Hardin defensive tackle Matt Elam is expected to miss Friday's state semifinal game, but the injury that knocked him out of last week's contest is not as bad as originally feared.

Elam was diagnosed with a dislocated patella in his left knee after an MRI on Monday, John Hardin Coach Chad Lewis told the Herald-Leader. Lewis said Elam is "very doubtful" for Friday night's matchup against undefeated Bowling Green. The winner of that contest will advance to the Class 5A state finals.

The 6-foot-6 lineman was injured during the fourth quarter of last week's victory over Bullitt East.

The John Hardin football family was bracing for the worst, which would have been a more serious ACL or meniscus injury. "Thank goodness for no tear," Lewis said.

6'6" 325, 5.8-rated, Composite .937, 247 99 5-star

[jbcarol]

What was four-star Carrollton (Ga.) defensive lineman Dontavius Russell's reaction to Auburn's 34-28 Iron Bowl victory over Alabama?

Russell (6-3, 300) had been committed to Georgia since April but Auburn, still on the hunt for defensive tackles for its 2014 class, had been recruiting him heavily. He had planned to attend the Auburn-Georgia game, but didn't make it and instead ended up on the Plains for another miracle finish on Saturday.

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/12/iron_bowl_recruit_reaction_don.html

Russell tweeted that he was reopening his recruitment Sunday evening.

[jbcarol]

AL.com sports ‏@aldotcomSports 9m
4-star JUCO defensive tackle Jarran Reed commits to Alabama http://bit.ly/1g6BLdk

[jbcarol]

Matt Elam™6⃣9⃣ ‏@FballIsLife69 21h
I Am Blessed To Say I Have Won The Paul Hornung Award. It Goes To The Best Overall Player In Kentucky !!!

Brian Eldridge ‏@BriEldridge 23m
Jarran Reed to Bama has to make UK fans feel a little better about Matt Elam. Though Elam isn't afraid of competition and Reed's a JUCO.

Retweeted by Matt Elam™6⃣9⃣

[jbcarol]

Derek Tyson ‏@DerekTysonESPN 2h
Jarran Reed signed with Florida last year but failed to qualify. Now commits to Alabama. Solid pickup for #Bama.

[jbcarol]

The UK coaching staff visited Matt Elam last weekend, and he is the number one remaining target on UK's 2014 wish list. 24/7 Sports is reporting that Elam is unlikely to take his official visit to Alabama this month, which, if true, is huge news for the Cats.

Elam will take his official visit to Kentucky next weekend, with Drew Barker and the rest of the 2014 commitments.

[jbcarol]

AL.com sports ‏@aldotcomSports 1h
Nick Saban's latest stop on the recruiting trail: Kentucky star Matt Elam
http://ow.ly/rBoyZ


Matt Elam™6⃣9⃣ @FballIsLife69
Coach Nick Saban Has Just Left The Building !! 1:04 PM - 9 Dec 2013

[jbcarol]

Not Jerry Tipton ‏@NotJerryTipton 2h
Brian Kelly visited Matt Elam today. He showed him pictures of the hot chicks who date Notre Dame football players. pic.twitter.com/7tL4TXqqzs

[jbcarol]

Matt Elam™6⃣9⃣ @FballIsLife69
Just Got Done With My In Home Visit With UK Staff And @UKCoachStoops Terrific Visit But Also My Last!! #BBN
7:37 PM - 12 Dec 2013

[jbcarol]

Undeniable Talent ‏@armonwatts 11 Dec
About to show people how real razorback fans are, let's see if I can get to 2,000 followers by tomorrow #WPS

[jbcarol]

Michael Carvell ‏@RecruitingAJC 15h
Who knows with Tucker DT Elisha Shaw? Missed season w/neck injury. Still reports #Bama UGA & Ole Miss offers: http://bit.ly/1bLUqYv

[jbcarol]

"I just felt real comfortable and could see myself fitting in there," said Elam here Tuesday after receiving the Paul Hornung Award from the Louisville Quarterback Club as the state's top player. "All the commits were there and I enjoyed hanging out with them and the coaches. It was good."

But the 6-5, 370-pound defensive tackle from John Hardin says he has not decided whether he will commit to UK, Alabama or Notre Dame when he makes his announcement Jan. 4.

"If there is one thing I would say do better than ever, it's work on your quickness," Hornung said. "You have got pro size. If you continue to work on your quickness, you will be a No. 1 pick in the draft. You have to listen to your elders, friends and family. They will tell you the right things to do. Make your college choice, go where you want to go and know you can have an enjoyable time on the football field and in the classroom."" class="bbc_link" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vaught's Views: LOUISVILLE — While he insists he does not have a favorite in his three-team recruiting race, John Hardin defensive tackle Matt Elam says he is "very high" on Kentucky after taking his official visit last weekend to UK.

"I just felt real comfortable and could see myself fitting in there," said Elam here Tuesday after receiving the Paul Hornung Award from the Louisville Quarterback Club as the state's top player. "All the commits were there and I enjoyed hanging out with them and the coaches. It was good."

But the 6-5, 370-pound defensive tackle from John Hardin says he has not decided whether he will commit to UK, Alabama or Notre Dame when he makes his announcement Jan. 4.

"If there is one thing I would say do better than ever, it's work on your quickness," Hornung said. "You have got pro size. If you continue to work on your quickness, you will be a No. 1 pick in the draft. You have to listen to your elders, friends and family. They will tell you the right things to do. Make your college choice, go where you want to go and know you can have an enjoyable time on the football field and in the classroom."

Hornung won the Heisman Trophy while playing on a team with a losing record at Notre Dame.

[jbcarol]

John Talty ‏@JTalty 58m
Former Alabama DT D.J. Pettway signs back with Alabama http://on.thec-l.com/JIqz9o

John Talty ‏@JTalty 1h
As expected, East Mississippi DL D.J. Pettway has signed with Alabama. He was kicked off the team in Feb. for 2nd degree robbery charges.

[jbcarol]

Coach Mark Stoops announced the signing Wednesday of two players who he hopes will provide an immediate boost to the UK defense in 2014.Defensive tackle Cory Johnson and cornerback A.J. Stamps — both junior-college players — signed with UK on Wednesday morning and plan to enroll in school next month.

http://www.kentucky.com/2013/12/18/2994586/junior-college-db-stamps-signs.html

[jbcarol]

AL.com sports ‏@aldotcomSports 9h
5-star defensive tackle Matt Elam will choose between Kentucky, Alabama http://ow.ly/rWnH4

Cut Notre Dame from his list. Apparently was not impressed with this:



Notre Dame is sending out "Pot of Gold" recruiting letters reminding everyone of the 477 Irish players who have been drafted to the NFL.

The last Kentucky high school player of the year to go to Notre Dame was Franklin Jacobs who was never heard from again.

Paul Hornung had a better run.

[jbcarol]

'14 5.7-rated 6-3, 257 Covington, LA DT Garrald McDowell gave a verbal to Ole Miss.

[jbcarol]

Kenyan Drake™ ‏@KDx17 57m
Alotta future millionaires under one roof
Retweeted by Matt Elam™6⃣9⃣

Elam is the DT being recruiting by Bama and Kentucky. Drake is referring to Bama players prepping for the Sugar Bowl.

[jbcarol]

Elizabethtown John Hardin, 6-5, 330 DT Matt Elam used "we" when talking about UK's 2014 recruiting class

UK's top remaining target in the 2014 class (both literally and figuratively) called into the radio show this morning to talk about his recruitment. Interestingly, when speaking about the 2014 UK class, Matt used the word "we" to describe what's going on in Lexington:

"I love Kentucky, I'm from here, I love Coach Stoops, what we have with the commits up there is just something special, I've never saw it before. I'm very comfortable with all them, with [Connor HS QB] Drew [Barker] and everybody. I enjoy that with them, it's something you don't really see a lot."

Elam also spoke glowingly of Alabama, and says his mother really likes the Crimson Tide too [Saban].

Elizabethtown is an hour and a half west of Lexington via the Parkway. Five and half hours from Bryant-Denny down I-65 and hang a right.

Saban has put some DTs in the NFL.

[jbcarol]

Defensive tackle Dontavius Russell, a four-star prospect, tweeted Friday he had recently committed to Auburn. The Carrollton, Georgia native was committed to Georgia for most of the year

247 Composite ranks Russell the 11th best DT in our nation from the current class.


Dontavius Russell @Russ_Dont98
If you really know me you would know that I  will continue playing football at the University of........................AUBURN!!!! #WDE 🐯
5:47 PM - 27 Dec 2013

[jbcarol]

Keith Niebuhr ‏@Niebuhr247 3h
Massive 2016 DT Julian Rochester of McEachern (Ga.) was offered by #TAMU #Aggies yesterday...

[jbcarol]

Dontavius Russell, the former UGA football recruit who abruptly committed to Auburn on Twitter last week, stated after Thursday's Under Armour All-America game that he has no plans to schedule a visit with the Bulldogs.

"I don't plan to take any official visits other than to Auburn," Russell said.

When the 4-star defensive tackle from Carrollton High School backed off his commitment from UGA last month, Russell's original plan was to make a final decision on college after visiting both Auburn and Bulldogs this month.

Rodney Garner went from UGa to Auburn's staff.

[jbcarol]

A star is torn:

Matt Elam™6⃣9⃣ @FballIsLife69
Letting Everyone Know Right Now I Matt Elam.. Will Be Deciding My College Decision On Signing Day Sorry For The Inconvenience #Bama #BBN
9:36 AM - 4 Jan 2014


Was expected to announce on TV during the all-star game. Has time to make a visit to Bama.

[jbcarol]

Jimmy D. Smith (@JimmyDetail) of The Times-Picayune in New Orleans has reported that 4-Star DT Travonte Valentine has de-committed from Miami, which had been rumored the last couple of days at the Army All-American Bowl. Valentine's de-commitment comes following reports that Miami's Al Golden has been offered and more than likely will accept the job at Penn State, his alma mater.

Valentine is ranked as the 7th best DT in the 2014 class, and the 56th best player overall according to 247Sports and is ranked #115 in the 247Composite rankings, accounting for all the major recruiting services. The 6'3 338lb. Palm Bay, FL prospect announced yesterday that he would be taking an official visit to Kentucky on January 23-24 and has expressed interest in playing with another UK DT target, Matt Elam. Valentine will also take a visit to LSU the weekend before he comes up to Lexington, he has said that the Tigers are his current leader.

Valentine's decision is expected to come down to Kentucky, Miami, and LSU.

5.8-rated Champagnat Catholic DT.

[jbcarol]

Matt Elam™6⃣9⃣ ‏@FballIsLife69 2h
Me Not Committing Saturday Did Not Hurt UK Chances At All Just Didnt Feel Comfortable Doing It There It Was Set Up Weird !! #BBN


Matt Elam™6⃣9⃣ ‏@FballIsLife69 2h
Did Not Like How The @ArmyAllAmerican Was Sett Up, Or The Week But I Appreciate Everything Yall Do For Athletes Very Prestigious Honor !!

[jbcarol]

Ryan Bass ‏@Ry_Bass 4 Jan
Just got off the phone with three-star DT Jamiyus Pittman, who just flipped from Ole Miss to #UCF...

John Talty ‏@JTalty 4 Jan
Pittman, as you know by now, was offered a gray shirt by Ole Miss after he was committed.

[navyhog24]

Ryan Bass ‏@Ry_Bass 4 Jan
Just got off the phone with three-star DT Jamiyus Pittman, who just flipped from Ole Miss to #UCF...

John Talty ‏@JTalty 4 Jan
Pittman, as you know by now, was offered a gray shirt by Ole Miss after he was committed.

Lol. Ole Miss already trying the Saban and Bama strategy

[jbcarol]

Ryan Callahan ‏@RyanCallahan247 50m
Four-star 2015 Ga. DT Jonathan Ledbetter (@LedbetterDE15) says he picked up offers from Florida and Arkansas today.

[jbcarol]

Shea Dixon ‏@Sheadixon 25m
New #LSU 2015 commit Hanner Shipley is a 6-5, 260-pounder out of Marble Falls, Texas.

[jbcarol]

Jozie_Milton73 ‏@JozieMilton 2h
Just got my first SEC offer from arkansas! Feeling blessed!  #wps #hogs #sec

[jbcarol]

John Talty ‏@JTalty 1h
Was always going to be tough to hold onto him RT @derektysonespn: 2015 DT T.D. Moton just text me that he has decommitted from #MissSt.

John Talty ‏@JTalty 1h
I still expect MSU to be heavily involved with T.D. Moton, but it'll have to beat out schools like LSU and Bama.

TD Moton ‏@tdmoton_ 1h
I have decommited from MSU .. I have to evaluate my options ..

[jbcarol]

Bruce Feldman ‏@BFeldmanCBS 3h
Rough start to Petrino Era. RT @BrandonHuffman Per his coach, four-star Hilton Head (SC) DT Poona Ford has decommitted from #Louisville