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With National Signing Day less than two weeks away, the recruiting wars are heating up. Two big-name head coaches found their way to Morehouse Parish on Tuesday in hopes of persuading wide receiver Rueben Randle and defensive tackle D.D. Jones to join their programs on Feb. 4.
Recently-hired Tennessee head coach Lane Kiffin and wide receivers coach Frank Wilson paid in-house visits to Randle and Jones, while Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez and linebackers coach Jay Hopson were guests at the Jones’ residence in Oak Ridge.
Kiffin made some inroads with both prospects.
At this time last week, Randle’s interest in the Vols was lukewarm, at best. On Wednesday afternoon, Randle included Tennessee on his short list, along with LSU, Alabama, Oklahoma and Auburn. Ole Miss remains a longshot, while Miami is apparently out of the picture.
“Ole Miss is questionable,” said Randle, rated as the nation’s No. 2 overall prospect and No. 1 wide receiver by rivals.com. “Miami, I’m probably going to let that go.”
Randle leaves for LSU Thursday and will take his final official visit to Auburn next weekend. He made his second official visit last weekend to Alabama and had previously been to Oklahoma.
“It was a good visit,” said Randle of his trip to Tuscaloosa. “They treated everybody well. Everything was organized and well-orchestrated.
“This visit was mainly for my parents (Emmett and Troy Randle). I had already been up there a couple of times. Mainly, I just tried to enjoy the atmosphere.”
Meanwhile, Randle is resurrecting his baseball career during his limited free time. Randle attracted Division I interest while starting at shortstop for the Rams as a sophomore, before focusing on football as a junior.
“This is my last year of high school, so I’m trying to enjoy everything,” Randle said.
First-year coach Whit Whitlock is experimenting with Randle in center field.
“I have played center field before, but it has never been my primary position,” Randle said.
Tennessee has also moved up on Jones’ list as he scheduled an official visit to the Knoxville campus for Jan. 30. He will also visit Michigan, where he has verbally committed, this weekend.
“Coach Kiffin and coach Frank and coach Rodriguez and coach Hopson came to the school and to the house (Tuesday),” said Jones, who is rated as a four-star recruit by rivals.com. “Both visits went good. I’m going to visit both schools.”
With National Signing Day less than two weeks away, the recruiting wars are heating up. Two big-name head coaches found their way to Morehouse Parish on Tuesday in hopes of persuading wide receiver Rueben Randle and defensive tackle D.D. Jones to join their programs on Feb. 4.
Recently-hired Tennessee head coach Lane Kiffin and wide receivers coach Frank Wilson paid in-house visits to Randle and Jones, while Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez and linebackers coach Jay Hopson were guests at the Jones’ residence in Oak Ridge.
Kiffin made some inroads with both prospects.
At this time last week, Randle’s interest in the Vols was lukewarm, at best. On Wednesday afternoon, Randle included Tennessee on his short list, along with LSU, Alabama, Oklahoma and Auburn. Ole Miss remains a longshot, while Miami is apparently out of the picture.
“Ole Miss is questionable,” said Randle, rated as the nation’s No. 2 overall prospect and No. 1 wide receiver by rivals.com. “Miami, I’m probably going to let that go.”
Randle leaves for LSU Thursday and will take his final official visit to Auburn next weekend. He made his second official visit last weekend to Alabama and had previously been to Oklahoma.
“It was a good visit,” said Randle of his trip to Tuscaloosa. “They treated everybody well. Everything was organized and well-orchestrated.
“This visit was mainly for my parents (Emmett and Troy Randle). I had already been up there a couple of times. Mainly, I just tried to enjoy the atmosphere.”
Meanwhile, Randle is resurrecting his baseball career during his limited free time. Randle attracted Division I interest while starting at shortstop for the Rams as a sophomore, before focusing on football as a junior.
“This is my last year of high school, so I’m trying to enjoy everything,” Randle said.
First-year coach Whit Whitlock is experimenting with Randle in center field.
“I have played center field before, but it has never been my primary position,” Randle said.
Tennessee has also moved up on Jones’ list as he scheduled an official visit to the Knoxville campus for Jan. 30. He will also visit Michigan, where he has verbally committed, this weekend.
“Coach Kiffin and coach Frank and coach Rodriguez and coach Hopson came to the school and to the house (Tuesday),” said Jones, who is rated as a four-star recruit by rivals.com. “Both visits went good. I’m going to visit both schools.”
Jones has also visited Arkansas and Auburn on official business. He is still considering all four schools.
Randle and Jones have both indicated that they may wait until Feb. 4 before making a decision.
SPEEDY UPDATE: Bastrop’s Tai (Speedy) Alford will take his first official visit this weekend, traveling to Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond.
A four-year starter at linebacker for the Rams, Alford is being recruited as a strong safety at the college level.
“I should be able to make the transition,” said Alford, who was utilized at both inside and outside linebacker in high school. “Playing outside linebacker is like playing strong safety.”
Alford, who is also being recruited by Ouachita Baptist, says he is looking for a place where he can contribute immediately.
“I’m looking for a school with a good academic program, first of all, a good environment and a place that enjoys football,” said Alford, who plans to major in accounting or occupational therapy. “I really want to play my first year.”
A three-time All-District 2-4A selection, Alford was the Rams’ leading tackler the last two seasons.
GATOR FAN: Bastrop High graduate Connie Piercy Morgan was pleased with the outcome as Florida defeated Oklahoma 24-14 in the BCS National Championship game. Connie received her business management degree from Florida in December.
