Texas 2017 TE Kedrick James Picks Alabama over In-State Offers
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
Alabama won another key recruiting battle on Sunday pulling Texas three-star tight end Kedrick James out of Texas.
James proved to be an every down kind of player in 2015. The 6’4.5”, 245 pound, talent was a welcomed addition to La Vega High School’s run game as a tough as nails blocker and a big target in the passing attack securing 10 receptions for 173 yards during his junior campaign.
In-state schools tugged at James with Baylor securing his initial commitment July 15, 2015. James continued to take unofficial visits leaving some options open. Once news from Waco started to unravel about reported misdealing behind the scenes with the football program, James decommitted from the Bears on May 26, days before former head coach Art Briles was fired.
James was pushing 20 scholarship offers by the time he committed to the Tide with Texas A&M, Arkansas, Auburn, Oklahoma, Michigan, Miami, TCU, Texas, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, and Tennessee being among the many trying to land him.
Alabama has been hot on the recruiting trail over the last two weeks securing seven commitments. James’ commitment on Sunday was part of a haul that included offensive lineman Kendall Randolph and cornerback Kyriq McDonald. The Tide now has 21 verbal commitments for their 2017 recruiting class.
Alabama Crimson Tide 2017 Verbal Commit List (21)
CB Jhavonte Dean, 6-2, 180, Blinn College, Brenham, TX
CB Kyriq McDonald, 5-11, 185, James Clemens HS, Madison, AL
LB Markail Benton, 6-1.5, 237, Central HS, Phenix, City, AL
LB VanDarius Cowan, 6-4, 217, Palm Beach Gardens HS, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
LB Gary Johnson, 6-1, 225, Dodge City C.C., Dodge City, KS
DE Aaron Sterling, 6’1”, 270, Stephenson HS, Stone Mountain, GA
DT Akial Byers, 6-4, 275, Fayetteville HS, Fayetteville, AR
OG Alex Leatherwood, 6’5”, 298, Washington HS, Pensacola, FL
OT Elliot Baker, 6-7, 295, City College of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
OT Hunter Brannon, 6-4, 290, Cullman HS, Cullman, AL
OT Kendall Randolph, 6-5, 290, Bob Jones HS, Madison, AL
TE Kedrick James, 6-4.5, 245, La Vega HS, Waco, TX
RB Najee Harris, 6’1.5”, 210, Antioch Senior, Antioch, CA
RB Brian Robinson, 6’1”, 215, Hillcrest HS, Tuscaloosa, AL
QB Mac Jones, 6-2, 180, Bolles HS, Jacksonville, FL
QB Tua Tagovailoa, 6-1, 210, St. Louis HS, Honolulu, HI
WR Jerry Jeudy, 6-1, 177, Deerfield Beach HS, Deerfield Beach, FL
WR Tyrell Shavers, 6-6, 202, Lewisville HS, Lewisville, TX
ATH Chadarius Townsend, 6’0”, 180, Tanner HS, Tanner, AL
LS Thomas Fletcher, 6’1”, 215, IMG Academy, Bradenton, FL
K Brandon Ruiz, 5-10, 165, Williams Field HS, Gilbert, AZ
Photo credit: twitter.com; Kedrick James at Alabama.