Speedy Noil commits to Aggies
— -- ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- No. 8 recruit Speedy Noil (New Orleans/Edna Karr) committed to Texas A&M during Thursday's Under Armour All-America game on ESPN, kicking off a flurry of commitments that will include seven players ranked in the top 70 of the ESPN 300.
Noil, a five-star athlete, said he chose the Aggies over in-state LSU largely because of the atmosphere he experienced in College Station when he went on his official visit Sept. 13.
"It felt like home when I went on my official visit," Noil said. "I look forward to taking my talents to A&M."
With Noil's commitment, the Aggies now have 21 verbal commitments, including 11 in the ESPN 300. He joins DE Myles Garrett, a fellow Under Armour All-American, as the five-star pledges for Aggies coach Kevin Sumlin.
INJURED DB BROWN ROLLS TO TIDE: Despite missing the game because of a shoulder injury suffered earlier in the week, five-star defensive back Tony Brown (Beaumont, Texas/Ozen) committed to Alabama over LSU and Ohio State.
The decision by Brown, who is the No. 4-ranked cornerback and the No. 11 player overall in the ESPN 300, comes as somewhat of a surprise considering his older sister, Bealoved, runs track for LSU.
Alabama strengthened the nation's No. 1 recruiting class, which now has 24 commitments, including 17 ranked in the ESPN 300. Brown is the third five-star player who has committed to the Crimson Tide.
NO. 15 OVERALL CHOOSES ARIZONA OVER BAMA: Maybe the biggest surprise happened in the third quarter when Jalen Tabor (Washington, D.C./Friendship Academy), the No. 15 player recruit in the ESPN 300, committed to Arizona over Alabama.
Tabor had Alabama, Florida and Maryland near the top of his list for several months but the Wildcats started to move up his list after a visit on Nov. 15.
"When I went on my visit, it was just about a family atmosphere," Tabor said. "They play for each other, and I believe I can provide a spark right away."
With the addition of Tabor, Arizona now has 28 commitments, including five ranked in the ESPN 300. Tabor is the team's highest-rated commit.
NO. 3-RANKED SAFETY TO LSU: Jamal Adams (Lewisville, Texas/Hebron), the No. 3-ranked safety in the ESPN 300 and the 23rd player overall, committed to LSU over Florida and Texas A&M during the second quarter.
The 6-foot, 204-pound Adams, a four-star prospect, said his comfort level with the Tigers was what ultimately led to his decision.
"I just felt more comfortable there," Adams said. "The opportunity at LSU is there for me. I'm just ready to go win some national championships."
As a senior, Adams had 75 tackles on defense and also totaled more than 1,000 all-purpose yards for Hebron.
The Tigers now have 17 commitments, including 13 ranked in the ESPN 300.
MOTHER AGAIN DISAPPOINTED BY SON'S CHOICE: Two years after she publicly disapproved of older son Landon Collins choosing Alabama over LSU, April Justin was again disappointed as younger son Gerald Willis III (New Orleans/Edna Karr) chose Florida Gators over the Tigers.
It was much-needed good news for the Gators, who earlier in the week lost a commitment from No. 20 recruit Dalvin Cook
Willis III), the No. 3-ranked defensive tackle and No. 29 player overall, chose the Gators over LSU and Alabama.
"I will take my talents to Gainesville, Florida," Willis said when he announced his commitment. "Go Gators."
His mom didn't appear as upset as she did two years ago but still didn't seem thrilled.
"It is what it is," Justin said. "Florida Gators, that's where we'll be. LSU is still No. 1."
The Gators now have 19 commitments, including 11 ranked in the ESPN 300.
SEMINOLES LAND NO. 7 WR: Travis Rudolph (West Palm Beach, Fla./Cardinal Newman) verbally committed to Florida State in the second quarter. The No. 61 player in the ESPN 300 surprised many and committed to the Seminoles over Alabama, which he had named his leader earlier in the week.
"First day on campus, I just felt like it was the place to be," the nation's No. 7 wide receiver said. "I prayed on it and thought about it and that's where I wanted to be."
With the addition of Rudolph, FSU now has 29 verbal commitments, including 12 ranked in the ESPN 300.
The Seminoles have had a great week of recruiting. Earlier in the week, No. 4 running back Dalvin Cook (Miami/Central) switched his commitment from Florida to the Noles. Lorenzo Featherston (Greensboro, N.C./Page), the No. 27 player in the country, committed to FSU on Wednesday.
