The commitment
Kevin Harris, four-star defensive end from Grayson High School in Loganville, Georgia, announced his commitment moments ago to the University of Alabama. Harris picked Alabama instead of Miami and LSU. Miami was the only threat as of recently. Harris received an offer from Alabama in March. He visited Tuscaloosa twice during the spring with his family. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound athlete is recruited as an outside linebacker. Tosh Lupoi led the way in recruiting the Peach State product.
The player
“Harris is a long, lean edge rusher who is likely going to be a stand-up linebacker in the Alabama defense. He excels with speed off the edge. He has a good first step and when he turns the corner, he can really close on the quarterback. He has to get stronger and add weight and that should come in time. Against the run, he has to get better at the point of attack and improve his ability to shed blocks. He is all about potential and upside. His work ethic combined with his natural ability makes you think he is going to successful on the next level.”- Southeast recruiting analyst Chad Simmons
“High energy kid who has a non-stop motor. Needs to fill out but is angular and can get skinny and has excellent bend around the corner. Very quick first step. Will be an excellent pass rusher and could be a hybrid guy”- National recruiting director Mike Farrell
The numbers
The numbers crunch are awfully tight at the linebacker position. Alabama has three stud commitments in Harris, King Mwikuta, Rivals100 outside linebacker from Troup County High School in LaGrange, Georgia, and Shane Lee, Rivals100 inside linebacker from St. Francis in Baltimore. This is where things start to get a little tricky moving forward.
There is no doubt Nakobe Dean, Rivals100 inside linebacker from Horn Lake High School in Mississippi, has a spot available. He is high on the Crimson Tide’s wish list. Dean is safe. Kayvon Thibodeaux, five-star defensive end from Oaks Christian in Westlake Village, California, is also safe. Thibodeaux is heavily recruited by Alabama as an outside/Jack linebacker. The plan has been for Alabama to sign five linebackers across the board- outside/middle/jack.
Plans can change. Alabama may decide to take six. A lot depends on who wants to commit and who is still available when the dust settles. Dean and Thibodeaux are high value targets. Alabama is also high on Christian Harris, three-star athlete from University Lab School in Baton Rouge. Nolan Smith Rivals100 defensive end from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, is a definite take. Smith has visited Alabama a few times, but there is a slim chance he flips from UGA.
A few other linebackers recruited by Alabama include Kalen DeLoach, three-star from Islands High School in Savannah, Lavonta Bentley, four-star from Jackson-Olin High School in Birmingham, and Lakia Henry, from Dodge City Community College in Kansas.
Recruiting - What it means: Kevin Harris to Alabama | BamaInsider.com