Alabama hosting four unofficial in-state visitors
The Crimson Tide finished the 2015 recruiting class with arguably the best haul in the nation. Among the 24 signed included four 5-star athletes, 15 total 4-star recruits, and five 3-star signees.
Alabama head coach Nick Saban has a nice start to his 2016 class with Louisiana defensive back/wide receiver Shyheim Carer, Mississippi defensive tackle Raekwon Davis, defensive back/receiver Demetris Robertson, and in-state wide receiver T.J. Simmons already verbally committed. On Wednesday Alabama looks to add to their yearly top spot in the recruiting rankings with Lyndell Wilson, Marlon Davidson, P.J. Blue, and Jeawon Taylor scheduled to make the Tuscaloosa campus for an unofficial visit.
Marlon Davidson is one of the more highly regarded strong-side defensive ends in the nation. Listed at 6’4”, 265 pounds, the Greenville High School standout already has 15 scholarship offers from top programs around the nation after finishing a junior season with 69 tackles, 7 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble returned for a touchdown.
The Crimson Tide might be up against tough in-state competition if hoping to land Davidson, the former Carver High School player is an Auburn legacy. Davidson’s brother, Kenneth Carter, played for the War Eagles and is currently on head coach Gus Malzahn’s staff.
A packaged deal could be in the works with Marlon Davidson and linebacker Lyndell “Mack” Wilson. Wilson, 6’2”, 220 pounds, is a former Carver teammate of Davidson’s and the two have taken recruiting trips together.
Wilson had a strong junior season coming up with 74 tackles, 9.0 tackles for a loss, 6.5 sacks, 2 pass deflections, and 2 interceptions.
P.J. Blue is another linebacker that could slip inside as time goes or stay on the outside working at linebacker in either a 3-4 or 4-3 defense. Listed at 6’3”, 205 pounds, the Park Crossing High School rising star has started to gain traction in recruiting circles with offers from Clemson, South Carolina, Nebraska, Missouri, Louisville, Kentucky, and Bama.
Blue’s high school teammate Jeawon Taylor, a do-it-all safety for the Thunderbirds, is another Class of 2016 recruit picking up attention from around the nation. Taylor used his 6’2”, 192 pound, frame and 4.4 forty-yard dash speed to lay a hat on 91 ball carriers during his junior season, coming up with 3.0 tackles for a loss, 1.0 sacks, 4 interceptions, and 12 passes defended, including one blocked field goal.
Alabama is also hosting two Mississippi natives on Wednesday, Noxubee County defensive end Jeffery Simmons and Starkville High School defensive tackle Kobe Jones.
Written by Ryan Wright
Photo credit: al.com; Marlon Davidson and Lyndell Wilson.