Bayes picks up first SEC offer
While Rivals100 cornerback Mackensie Alexander gets most of the headlines on the Immokalee (Fla.) defense, one of the guys playing in front of him has been turning heads as well.
Class of 2014 athlete Jimmy Bayes, a rangy 6-foot-4 defensive end/linebacker on defense and wide receiver on offense, recently picked up his first two offers, courtesy of Missouri and Vanderbilt.
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Because of the long list of Immokalee prospects, Bayes is no stranger to the recruiting process. He said he's already built a good relationship with Vanderbilt defensive quality control assistant Charles Walker.
"I talk to Coach all the time," he said. "Probably once a week, sometimes twice, either on Facebook or on the phone."
Bayes, who finished the year with 52 tackles and 8.5 sacks, said Vanderbilt, like most schools, likes him as a linebacker.
"Right now they want me at linebacker," he said. "It just depends on the kind of weight I'm able to put on and how I fit into their defense."
Bayes said other schools that are in regular contact are Clemson, Auburn, FIU and Nebraska. The Cornhuskers recently invited him to watch one of their Capital One Bowl practices later this month in Orlando.
In the meantime, Bayes is preparing for the Army Underclassman Combine in San Antonio early next month.
"I'm looking forward to going out there," Bayes said. "It's going to be a new experience for me and I think it's a good chance to show what I can do."