Southeast Spotlight: Alabama recruiting risers
The headlines and ink go towards the five- and four-stars every season, but there is always a crop of players that colleges have missed on and talents having breakout seasons. In the state of Alabama, underclassmen are taking advantage of the playing time turning the spotlight their way with fresh offers getting dropped.
National recruiting analysts Ryan Wright and Sean Williams look at some of the top risers this fall from the Alabama high school gridirons.
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WILLIAMS’ THREE RISERS
At 6-foot-5, 220-pounds, Ross has showed off his lengthy frame and explosiveness as both a linebacker and an edge rusher this season. The 2024 possesses good hand technique when engaged that helps him slip past defenders and once in the backfield, he's got a nose for the ball.
Power five programs are quickly picking up on Ross' talent level as South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Auburn, and Kansas have offered. Ross took a trip to Alabama and visited Knoxville last weekend for Tennessee's showdown with the Crimson Tide.
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Reese is your classic middle linebacker that possesses great instincts and can cover the field sideline-to-sideline. So far this season, he's tallied 98 tackles which ranks 7th within the state of Alabama. He's also led his Ramsay team to a 6-2 start on the season.
Jackson State was the first program to offer back in the spring, but the likes of UCF, Arkansas State, and Austin Peay have offered throughout the fall.
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Blocton is currently rated as the No. 14 prospect in Alabama for the 2024 class, but he's definitely put himself in a position to move up when the next rankings release occurs. At 6-foot-4, 265-pounds, Blocton has the size to play tackle and the versatility and quickness to play the edge. This season, he's been wreaking havoc coming as an edge rusher for Pike Road and has helped guide them to a 5-2 record so far.
The three-star has picked up new offers this fall from Florida, Houston, Missouri, and Kansas to go along with offers from Auburn, Tennessee, Arkansas, and South Carolina.
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WRIGHT’S THREE RISERS
Taking on 7A Alabama defenses with Tuscaloosa County, watch out for 2024 running back Kevin Riley. Through six games this season, Riley has rushed for 1,040 yards off 131 carries with nine touchdowns. Deep in the heart of Crimson Tide country, Riley picked up his first offer from the Arkansas Razorbacks on Oct. 15 with Tennessee-Martin offering on the same day.
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Lining up at corner and receiver for St. James, Ziggy Holloway is a name that will be on college boards throughout the Southeast in the coming months. Holloway has that rare burst and first step that allows him to go from zero to 100 in the blink of an eye. The recruiting process is just ramping up for the 2024 athlete. An offseason visit was taken to South Carolina and Auburn hosted him for a game this fall. Marshall was the first to offer Holloway putting him on their board on Oct. 14.
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Dunlap entered his junior campaign as a three-star working his skills to keep the college offers rolling his way. Taking on 7A squads, Dunlap is one of the leaders on defense for Enterprise credited with 28 tackles and a sack this season in stats posted through six games. Ole Miss was the first to offer the safety with the scholarship opportunities now in the double-digits with Penn State, UCF, Auburn, and Arkansas getting into the mix. Auburn and Alabama have hosted Dunlap for games this season.
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