Alabama Adds Commitments from 4-Star LB Markail Benton and 5-Star K Brandon Ruiz
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
The beginning of college camp season has kicked off strong for Alabama landing two Class of 2017 recruits on Friday in Arizona five-star kicker (Chris Sailer) Brandon Ruiz and four-star linebacker Markail Benton.
Ruiz helped the Black Hawks to a 9-3 record in 2015 handling all special teams duties for Williams Field High School. Ruiz sailed 55 of 59 kickoffs into the end zone covering 4,016 yards, punted 23 times putting 10 inside the 10-yard line, and hit 12 of 17 field goals with a long of 51 yards. The 5’10”, 165 pound, specialist was nearly perfect on PATs hitting 37 of 38.
Most special team players do not rack-up scholarship offers the way other position players do. Ruiz had an amazing 10 offers extended before committing to the Crimson Tide with Arizona, Cornell, Oregon State, Navy, Brown, Army, Iowa State, and Tennessee after him. Ruiz posted his commitment on Twitter, “I Am Proud To Announce That I Am Committed to The University of Alabama. #Rolltide #RTR.” Followed by a statement:
Benton is not only one of the top players in the state of Alabama but in the country. Listed anywhere from 6’1.5” to 6’3”, 235 to 245, Benton could be the prototypical middle linebacker all defensive coordinators covet. In a late May interview on RNG, Benton confirmed his Top Six with Alabama, Auburn, South Carolina, Clemson, Florida State, and LSU making the cut.
Correct stats on Benton are hard to find, but he was awarded second team All-State honors as a junior, is a Nike Opening invitee, and was in the neighborhood of 20 reported offers when he committed to Bama. Benton made his announcement at Central High School. The announcement was followed by a post on Twitter reading, “Committed too [sic] the University of Alabama. Roll Tide.”
Alabama now has 13 verbal commitments to their 2017 class. The class is absolutely loaded with talent including five-stars in running back Najee Harris and offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood.
Alabama Crimson Tide 2017 Verbal Commit List (13)
SS Xavier McKinney, 6’1”, 185, Roswell HS, Roswell, GA
LB Markail Benton, 6-1.5, 237, Central HS, Phenix, City, AL
LB VanDarius Cowan, 6-4, 217, Palm Beach Gardens HS, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
LB Gary Johnson, 6-1, 225, Dodge City C.C., Dodge City, KS
DE Aaron Sterling, 6’1”, 270, Stephenson HS, Stone Mountain, GA
OL Alex Leatherwood, 6’5”, 298, Washington HS, Pensacola, FL
OT Elliot Baker, 6-7, 295, City College of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
RB Najee Harris, 6’1.5”, 210, Antioch Senior, Antioch, CA
RB Brian Robinson, 6’1”, 215, Hillcrest HS, Tuscaloosa, AL
QB Mac Jones, 6-2, 180, Bolles HS, Jacksonville, FL
QB Tua Tagovailoa, 6-1, 210, St. Louis HS, Honolulu, HI
ATH Chadarius Townsend, 6’0”, 180 lbs, Tanner HS, Tanner, AL
K Brandon Ruiz, 5-10, 165, Williams Field HS, Gilbert, AZ
Photo credit: ledger-enquirer.com; Markail Benton commits to Alabama.