AL-MS All-Star Classic top performers
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MOBILE, Ala. - It took two overtime periods to decide the outcome of the 2010 Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic, with Alabama prevailing 24-17.
Rivals.com's Chris Nee breaks down the game's top performers after spending the week in Mobile.
AL-MS All-Star Classic Top Performers
6-0/175, Batesville (Miss.) South Panola
Brassell started the game slow with a pair of drops on the opening Mississippi offensive drive but he then found his groove later in the game. He and Ben Stevens connected on the biggest offensive play of the game when he stretched the field and pulled in a 63-yard touchdown. Brassell is an electric athlete who could play on either side of the ball, but his best position is likely wide receiver. He uses great top-end speed to get behind defenders and stretch a defense. He is also an asset in the return game because of his shiftiness in the open field.
6-1/180, Morton (Miss.)
Calhoun played the safety position for the Mississippi squad and racked up three tackles, a pass break-up, and an interception off of Jacob Coker which he returned 50 yards. Calhoun is a tall, thin-framed athlete who covers a lot of field when the ball is in the air and has very good ball skills. Despite not being a thick defender, he was very willing to punish receivers at the point of their catches and did a good job being at his spot when the ball arrived. He could also contribute as a wide receiver at the next level.
6-1/210, Russellville (Ala.)
Calloway is a talented athlete who was playing injured and was still Alabama's leading tackler in the game. He led the Yellowhammer State defense with nine tackles, a shared sack for a two-yard loss, and one-and-a-half tackles for loss which pushed the Mississippi offense back 11 yards. Calloway is more athlete than defender at this stage but he can simply use his speed to go around tackles on the edge or his strength to split the offense line. He moves very well in open field. As he is groomed further as a linebacker, he can develop into a tackling machine able to get to the quarterback or drop back and help in defending the passing attack.
6-4/287, Spanish Fort (Ala.)
Dismukes was by far the best offensive lineman on the Alabama squad. He handled snapping duties at center and did not have a bad snap on the day. He has a wide, thick frame and good back lean that allows him to lock on to defensive tackles and hold them at bay for a number of seconds. Alabama knew his value as they regularly ran running plays directly behind him and when he is able to get down the field, which he does very quickly, he locks on and drives defenders. Auburn got themselves a very good lineman who can contribute for many years.
RB Chris Dukes
5-9/177, Mobile (Ala.) UMS Wright
Dukes is an asset in both the running and passing game. The versatile back showed his ability to get to the edge and stretch a defense but is also able to drop his shoulder and run between the tackles. He runs very hard into a defense and doesn't dance. As a receiver out of the backfield he exhibited good hands and an ability to anticipate the pass and set himself up to head down the field once the reception was made.
5-10/215, Demopolis (Ala.)
James is a class power back who is built somewhat like a bowling ball. He was a workhorse for the Alabama offense racking up 39 yards, consistently between the tackles. James is a short-yardage back who punishes defenders at the point of contact. He is very sure-handed when taking the handoff. James is able to bounce off defenders while keeping his legs churning and gain extra yards when taking on smaller players in the second. He is also a very good blocker in the passing game as he displayed good form when engaging defensive players.
LB C.J. Johnson
6-3/227, Philadelphia (Miss.)
On his way to earning Mississippi MVP honors Johnson proved that he is quite possibly the best player in the Magnolia State by putting on a clinic. Johnson is capable of contributing as a linebacker or defensive end. He is a tackling machine who is good on the attack or in the open field. He is able to turn his hips and run with smaller backs or drop his shoulder engage backs out of the hole. Johnson possesses incredible strength and very good speed that makes him a wrecking ball in the middle of the defense. When he is turned loose on the attack, he is like a blood-sniffing shark when it comes to finding the quarterback.
5-10/185, Batesville (Miss.) South Panola
Market is a versatile athlete who can play a number of positions in the defensive secondary. He has a nose for the ball and does a good job tackling with form. He is very good at making himself as long as possible by extending his arms and wrapping up ballcarriers and wide receivers. He showed his big-play ability by forcing a strip and then recovering it for a Mississippi touchdown. He was outstanding in run support and able to rack up four tackles for loss on the day.
6-6/200, Athens (Ala.)
The LSU quarterback commitment was the best signal-caller on the field on Saturday. While Rivers isn't great going vertically, he does everything very well underneath and on intermediate routes. He is good at moving the pocket and buying himself additional time to get rid of a pass. When dumping the pass off to backs or players underneath he has a soft touch and good feel for where to place the ball. He did a good job throwing into tight windows across the middle of the field. Possibly his best trait was being cool, calm, and collected in the clutch at the end of regulation when he led Alabama on their game-tying drive and two-point conversion.
6-3/215, Gadsden (Ala.) Gadsden City
While Swain didn't make many plays in the defensive secondary on the day, he was a huge asset on special teams for the Alabama squad. He had two huge returns for 70 yards. Swain is a big, quick athlete who runs with a determination on special teams. On defense, he can contribute as either a defensive back or as an outside linebacker. He was one of the biggest hitters throughout the week.
6-2/200, Mobile (Ala.) LeFlore
The Alabama wide receiver commitment was consistent throughout the week of practice and that trend continued on Saturday afternoon. Woodson raked in seven receptions on the day, including numerous difficult catches across the middle. He does a good job catching the ball with his hands and securing it quickly in case a safety is there to blow him up on the spot. Woodson is a sure-handed player who can rip apart a defense across the middle. He also has the ability to play on the outside with good speed and height.
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