Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game: Takeaways from practices
MONTGONERY, Ala. - This year’s Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic isn’t short on talent or storylines, both of which were on display during the event’s first two days. Below, Rivals.com’s Chad Simmons and Rob Cassidy discuss their major takeaways from the first two days of practice at the annual tilt.
RIVALS RANKINGS WEEK:
Monday: Updated Top 10 revealed
Tuesday: Updated 2020 Rivals100
Wednesday: Updated 2020 Rivals250
Thursday: Updated position rankings
Alabama, LSU in the mix for Williams
Alabama commit Christian Williams plans to take official visits to Alabama and LSU in January, before signing with one of those two in February. The Tigers had Williams on campus in the fall and they appear to be a real threat to the Crimson Tide. LSU will host him first (Jan. 11), then Alabama (Jan. 25). Williams and LSU defensive backs coach Corey Raymond have really connected.
Pickens is a prize
If you are in the area, and have an hour or two to spare in the next couple days, go to Team Alabama's practice and watch five-star wide receiver George Pickens practice. He makes it look so easy out there. He has such a big catch radius, and it showed throughout the day Thursday. Pickens is committed to Auburn, but LSU is a real threat in this race, too. On Thursday, Pickens had LSU gloves on, along with a gold long-sleeve undershirt and purple socks. Those things likely mean absolutely nothing, but even the top of his hair had a golden tint to it today. Pickens does not plan to sign next week. He has already taken official visits to Auburn and LSU, but there are more in store for January. Florida, Georgia and Tennessee were the schools Pickens mentioned Thursday.
Bleak outlook for Pitt when it comes to signing Mack
Brandon Mack remains committed to Pittsburgh, but the chances that the defensive end actually signs with the Panthers seem to be slimming by the day. Asked if Pitt should be sweating his interest in schools such as Ole Miss, Missouri, Tennessee and Nebraska, the three-star prospect was blunt.
“Yeah,” he said with a laugh. “Yeah, they should.”
These days, it seems as though Mack is a committed prospect in title only. The Alabama-based standout, who hasn’t visited Pitt since June, knows what everyone is thinking. And those thoughts, it seems, extend to the Panthers’ coaching staff.
“I feel like they already feel like I’m going to flip because of who I’m talking to,” he said.
Mack , who will wait until February to sign a letter of intent, will visit Ole Miss at the end of January and will take his final trip to either Nebraska or Louisville. Tennessee is also involved to some extent, but has yet to make things official with scholarship offer.
Spivey will wait to make things official with Arkansas
Arkansas commit A'Montae Spivey says “family issues” will prevent him from signing next week, so the three-star running back will wait until February to make things official with the Razorbacks.
At this week’s Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game, Spivey said he remains solid in his pledge to Chad Morris’ program, but one of the Razorbacks’ SEC rivals also remains in play to some extent.
“I just had my home visit with Arkansas and everything is good,” Spivey said. ”Ole Miss is talking to me, but it’s basically just them.”
Four-star Auburn commit serious about Ole Miss, others
Jaren Handy is one of many prospects participating in the event who has decided to pass on the opportunity to sign early. In the case of Handy, an Auburn commit, the decision was rooted in the ability to explore other options.
The Rivals250 defensive end is comfortable with his pledge to the Tigers, sure, but that doesn’t mean he’s itching to forfeit a chance to take a final look around. In his mind, he sees no rush to sign a letter of intent.
“I’m waiting because I want to take all my visits,” Handy said on Wednesday. "(I want to visit) Ole Miss, Florida and Mississippi State. That’s all.”
Ole Miss looks like the most formidable challenger to Auburn, as Handy is set to take an official visit to Oxford on Jan. 26. What takes place on that trip will likely set the pace for what becomes of the four-star’s recruitment. Still, that’s not to say Auburn fans should slam their collective hands on the panic button. There’s a reason Handy remains committed, after all.
“I’m just comfortable at Auburn,” he said. “That’s where I feel comfortable. “
Auburn making push for Mississippi State commit
Rivals250 defensive end Charles Moore is a Mississippi State commit, but he will not sign with the Bulldogs during the Early Signing Period. Instead, the four-star prospect will wait until February to put a period on his recruitment.
Moore recently officially visited Auburn alongside his friend and Tigers commit Jaren Handy, and is heavily considering the Tigers, along with a handful of other schools. The Tigers, however, seem like the biggest threat to Bulldogs.
“I liked Auburn,” said Moore, while flanked by Handy, who was making jokes as Moore responded to interview questions. “It was fun to be there with this knucklehead (Handy). They just took me aside and told me that I could come in there and really be a playmaker.”
McCammon should be moving up lists
Look for running back Larry McCammon to pick up more offers in the coming weeks. As others prospects remove their names and commit, McCammon should move up lists throughout the country. He may not be flashy, but he is durable, productive and versatile. McCammon showed very good hands out of the backfield Thursday and he has some subtle quickness to his game. Rutgers offered not too long ago, but his offer list does not reflect his ability.
Kight looks like a catch for Alabama
Amari Kight towers over the other offensive linemen on Team Alabama. The Alabama commit was impressive. Although there was no live action in the morning session, Kight looked good going through drills. He moves well for his size and he drew praise from the coaches. Kight looks like he belongs in Tuscaloosa. He is one I can see the Crimson Tide fans being excited about down the road.
The Clemson way
When linebacker Lavonta Bentley committed to Clemson, it was over. Clemson is a little different. You do not see prospects committing to Clemson, then visiting other schools. Dabo Swinney does not allow prospects that are committed to other schools to take official visits to Clemson, either. It is a different culture there, and Bentley is a great fit. He was strong in drills Thursday, and after practice he was flashing the Clemson gloves.