Trey DePriest
Trey DePriest is one of the top defensive players of the 2011 recruiting class, and lucky for us, the anticipation over his decision has finally come to an end.
The 5-star linebacker ranked as the No. 3 MLB by Scout and the No. 6 OLB by Rivals, announced his commitment to Alabama at a local restaurant in Springfield, Ohio at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, putting to rest weeks of speculation and rumors.
Rumors had circulated for the past several weeks that DePriest has been a silent commitment to the Crimson Tide ever since he visited Tuscaloosa back in June. Of course, neither DePriest or Alabama officials would comment on the subject, but looking back, it appears there was some fire to that smoke after all.
Regardless, DePriest has officially committed to Alabama now, becoming the third 5-star prospect of their 2011 recruiting class and setting the team up to continue their defensive dominance.
Check out what his addition means to the Crimson Tide and what's next for the defending national champions as they put together one of the top recruiting classes in the country.
The 5-star linebacker ranked as the No. 3 MLB by Scout and the No. 6 OLB by Rivals, announced his commitment to Alabama at a local restaurant in Springfield, Ohio at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, putting to rest weeks of speculation and rumors.
Rumors had circulated for the past several weeks that DePriest has been a silent commitment to the Crimson Tide ever since he visited Tuscaloosa back in June. Of course, neither DePriest or Alabama officials would comment on the subject, but looking back, it appears there was some fire to that smoke after all.
Regardless, DePriest has officially committed to Alabama now, becoming the third 5-star prospect of their 2011 recruiting class and setting the team up to continue their defensive dominance.
Check out what his addition means to the Crimson Tide and what's next for the defending national champions as they put together one of the top recruiting classes in the country.
DePriest's Scouting Report and Highlights
DePriest has the natural build of a linebacker and a natural ability to read snap counts, get out of his stance quickly, and beat his man off the ball.
He's got a great motor and is excellent in pursuit; not many prospects can cover the field from sideline to sideline the way he can.
And look out for the big hit, DePriest can really put a licking on a ball-carrier in the open field.
He has a bad tendency to play high and gets away with it because of his strength, but that's going to get him in trouble at the next level. His tackling technique needs to be scrapped and proper form needs to be drilled into him by the coaching staff or there could be an issue there.
It's something to monitor, but based on the way this team has developed linebackers it's nothing to get too caught up over.
He's got a great motor and is excellent in pursuit; not many prospects can cover the field from sideline to sideline the way he can.
And look out for the big hit, DePriest can really put a licking on a ball-carrier in the open field.
He has a bad tendency to play high and gets away with it because of his strength, but that's going to get him in trouble at the next level. His tackling technique needs to be scrapped and proper form needs to be drilled into him by the coaching staff or there could be an issue there.
It's something to monitor, but based on the way this team has developed linebackers it's nothing to get too caught up over.
A Look at Alabama's 2011 Recruiting Class
Hasean Clinton-Dix
Commitments: 16
5-Star Recruits: Trey DePriest, MLB / Brent Calloway, OLB / Hasean Clinton-Dix, S
4-Star Recruits: Marvin Shinn, WR / Danny Woodson, WR / Bradley Sylve, WR / Ryan Kelly, C / Shannon Brown, MLB / LaMichael Flanning, DE / Jabriel Washington, CB
3-Star Recruits: Daryl Collins, WR / Malcolm Faciane, TE / Isaac Luatua, OG / D.J. Pettway, DT / Quinton Dial, DT / Vinnie Sunseri, MLB
For a team that generally is known for their defense and running game, the Crimson Tide have a really good haul at wide receiver with Shinn, Woodson and Sylve; Shinn is an especially likable prospect as he's one of the most electric playmakers in the country.
On the defensive side Alabama is putting together a very strong cast of characters that rivals anyone in the country short of Texas. Clinton-Dix is the top safety in the nation, Calloway is a one of the best two or three outside linebackers and DePriest is the perfect fit in the middle of the 3-4 defense.
5-Star Recruits: Trey DePriest, MLB / Brent Calloway, OLB / Hasean Clinton-Dix, S
4-Star Recruits: Marvin Shinn, WR / Danny Woodson, WR / Bradley Sylve, WR / Ryan Kelly, C / Shannon Brown, MLB / LaMichael Flanning, DE / Jabriel Washington, CB
3-Star Recruits: Daryl Collins, WR / Malcolm Faciane, TE / Isaac Luatua, OG / D.J. Pettway, DT / Quinton Dial, DT / Vinnie Sunseri, MLB
For a team that generally is known for their defense and running game, the Crimson Tide have a really good haul at wide receiver with Shinn, Woodson and Sylve; Shinn is an especially likable prospect as he's one of the most electric playmakers in the country.
On the defensive side Alabama is putting together a very strong cast of characters that rivals anyone in the country short of Texas. Clinton-Dix is the top safety in the nation, Calloway is a one of the best two or three outside linebackers and DePriest is the perfect fit in the middle of the 3-4 defense.
Where Does DePriest Fit In?
Trey DePriest
DePriest will have the chance to follow in Rolano McClain's footsteps as the middle linebacker for Alabama and actually won't have to wait to long to get onto the field either.
Of the 12 linebackers currently on the team, six will be either entering their senior seasons or will have already left by 2011.
Including 2010 4-Star recruit C.J. Mosely and 2011 commitment Brent Calloway, there should be plenty of playing time available by 2011 for DePriest right from the get-go, but his real impact would come in 2012; that's when DePriest would be expected to start.
His best asset is his versatility and more than anything, that's what's going to get him on the field early in his career. He can play inside or outside and has the perfect build for Alabama's 3-4 defense.
Of the 12 linebackers currently on the team, six will be either entering their senior seasons or will have already left by 2011.
Including 2010 4-Star recruit C.J. Mosely and 2011 commitment Brent Calloway, there should be plenty of playing time available by 2011 for DePriest right from the get-go, but his real impact would come in 2012; that's when DePriest would be expected to start.
His best asset is his versatility and more than anything, that's what's going to get him on the field early in his career. He can play inside or outside and has the perfect build for Alabama's 3-4 defense.
What's Next For Alabama?
Jadeveon Clowney
You can bet that Alabama isn't done yet. Check out the complete breakdown of Alabama's 2011 recruiting plans for a more detailed account of the players they've got locked up, have missed out on, and are still in the hunt for. But there are two names to keep in mind above all the others.
Jadeveon Clowney and Isaiah Crowell.
Some would toss Malcolm Brown into that group as well, but the sense here is he's destined to be a Longhorn and always has been. Alabama might be among his top choices, but at the end of the day, Brown will remain in Texas.
Clowney and Crowell on the other hand, are both leaning toward the Crimson Tide and would make monster additions to Alabama's recruiting class.
Check out the in-depth breakdowns of Clowney's and Crowell's top choices.
Beyond those two, Alabama still has a shot at blue-chip offensive weapons such as Kasen Williams, Jay Rome, and mammoth offensive tackles Cyrus Kouandjio and Brandon Shell. For as good as their defensive class is shaping up, Alabama might end up with one of the best offensive classes in the country.
Jadeveon Clowney and Isaiah Crowell.
Some would toss Malcolm Brown into that group as well, but the sense here is he's destined to be a Longhorn and always has been. Alabama might be among his top choices, but at the end of the day, Brown will remain in Texas.
Clowney and Crowell on the other hand, are both leaning toward the Crimson Tide and would make monster additions to Alabama's recruiting class.
Check out the in-depth breakdowns of Clowney's and Crowell's top choices.
Beyond those two, Alabama still has a shot at blue-chip offensive weapons such as Kasen Williams, Jay Rome, and mammoth offensive tackles Cyrus Kouandjio and Brandon Shell. For as good as their defensive class is shaping up, Alabama might end up with one of the best offensive classes in the country.
***Other links for Trey DePriest***
- Springfield News-Sun
- Tim Cary of Bleacher Report
- MaxPreps.com
