SEC schools on top for Samuels

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Offensive center Kyron Samuels from Fairhope (Ala.) is glad to be representing his state in the 25th Annual Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic.

"It is a great honor," Samuels said. "This is something I have always looked forward to. I have had a couple of former teammates play in it my sophomore year. It gave me a little extra incentive to work hard and try to get here. There is great talent out here, great competitors, and it is great to get after it pretty hard."

Like many of his teammates on the Alabama squad, Samuels has numerous options for his future home at the collegiate level.

"Mississippi State, Louisville, Kentucky, and Ole Miss - those are my biggest offers," Samuels said. "Those are the teams I am looking at the most. Alabama and Auburn are still in the mix."

Samuels indicated that he believes that an offer from the Crimson Tide and the Tigers are still a definite possibility. He said both schools have indicated that if they offer, they will want him to redshirt if he were to opt for their respective schools.

At this point in the process, the three-star offensive lineman has yet to hit the road for any official visits.

"I haven't taken any officials yet, they will all be coming up in January," Samuels said. "I am going to Auburn first (on January 13th), Mississippi State second (on January 20th), and Alabama last (on January 27th). I think I am just going to take those three. I have pretty much seen everywhere else that I would consider myself going and that is showing me interest."

One of those three schools is standing out a bit to the interior lineman.

"Mississippi State, I wouldn't say they are leading but they are definitely standing out to me a lot," Samuels said. "Alabama and Auburn are home state schools and would be great opportunities to go into but I would say that Mississippi State stands out a little bit."

Samuels shared a few of the reasons why Dan Mullen's program may have an upper-hand in his recruitment.

"I just like the offense that they run and the opportunity to go in and play early," Samuels said. "The atmosphere up there in Starkville, I know it is cheesy, but it feels like home. You want that wherever you go. I feel like I can accomplish a lot at Mississippi State."

As for his final decision, that likely won't come until the first Wednesday in February.

"I will probably be a Signing Day decision," Samuels said.