Army: Immediate impact prospects
The U.S. Army All-American Bowl is finished and it’s clear that there were plenty of college-ready prospects in attendance. Here is a look, including thoughts from Rivals.com Recruiting Director Mike Farrell, at just five players who could see immediate playing time once they get to college although there were many more in the game as well.
LB Erick Fowler, Manor, Texas
Recruiting: Fowler is committed to LSU.
Overview: LSU prides itself on defense and Fowler could be one of the next special ones playing a hybrid defensive end/linebacker role. The high four-star came off the edge and caused disruption in the backfield and he hits really hard, a tough, physical kid who can make plays. Fowler can also line up at linebacker and get sideline-to-sideline to track down plays so he could be a force in Baton Rouge for years to come.
Farrell’s Take: “He’s a huge, college-sized kid already who moves really well for 235 pounds and he has the instincts to make an impact on defense right away.”
ATH Mecole Hardman Jr., Bowman (Ga.) Elbert County
Recruiting: Hardman is considering Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and others.
Overview: Hardman is a highlight-reel waiting to happen. Every time he touches the ball whether it’s at receiver or on special teams something big can happen and that’s why he should always find a way to be in the scheme. The five-star has such tremendous speed, he’s so slippery and he’s so fun to watch there’s no question he will have chances to get on the field early.
Farrell’s Take: “Wide receivers can transition easier which means he could get on the field right away. He’s a special teams guy at the very least and they can work him in the slot even if they have to run a minimal amount of routes for him early on.”
LB Mique Juarez, Torrance (Calif.) North
Recruiting: Ole Miss and UCLA is the top two for Juarez, who visits Alabama in the next few weeks.
Overview: Juarez mainly played quarterback and safety during his senior season and added some extra pounds over the holidays but still moves so well. The five-star and top-rated player in California can play outside linebacker when trimmed up and at Army he was in the middle and still made a lot of plays. He’s college-ready and it shows.
Farrell’s Take: “He’s a big, physical kid who could play inside or outside linebacker and that should get him on the field much earlier and he runs to the ball well. He’s also very instinctual when the play is developing.”
ATH Demetris Robertson, Savannah (Ga.) Savannah Christian School
Recruiting: Alabama, Georgia, Notre Dame and Stanford are all seriously involved in Robertson’s recruitment.
Overview: Robertson brings a lot to the field -- skill, speed, intelligence and playmaking ability -- it would be difficult to keep him off the field. His athleticism should make him a guarantee on special teams plus his size at receiver means he could play inside or outside. The five-star prospect is too good to stay on the sidelines and he’s too fast for a coach not to figure out a place for him early on.
Farrell’s Take: “Like Hardman, he’s very fast and a special teams guy for sure. He’s a little bigger so he can work inside or outside with great speed. In the right offense, he will make a huge difference.”
WR Tyler Vaughns, La Puente (Calif.) Bishop Amat
Recruiting: Vaughns is committed to USC but plans to visit Alabama in the coming weeks.
Overview: Vaughns, the top-rated receiver in California, has excellent hands and showed them off all week. He’s been so consistent and so good for a long time that the four-star could step in right away at USC and have a major role in the Trojans’ offense. Sometimes, Vaughns gets knocked for not having elite speed but he can run by defensive backs and he’s tremendous at making tough catches over corners.
Farrell’s Take: “Vaughns had a great week and is so smooth. He’s a very good route runner, a big target with a big catch radius and good speed. He needs to get stronger but he’s too polished not to play.”