CFB Saturdays – What’s New in a Few – 5-16-20
At CFB Saturdays we take a look at some of the latest headlines in College Football. Our goal is to keep College Football Fans up to date on recent happenings from around the nation and some quick analysis. (Note: all recruiting rankings are based on the 247sports composite).
Sooners land Two Studs
Lincoln Riley and staff received big news on Friday when WR Mario Williams and LB Clayton Smith both announced their commitments. Williams is the 40th ranked player in the class and is an explosive playmaker out of the state of Florida.
Williams is now Oklahoma’s top rated commitment and joins fellow four star Cody Jackson at the top of the class continuing the Sooners tradition of excellent pass catchers. Oklahoma has signed four receivers rated four stars or better (including five stars Jadon Haselwood and Theo Wease) the past two recruiting classes and the future at the position looks bright.
Clayton Smith is a four star LB with excellent size (6’4” 220) and a very good burst. Smith is a bit of a hybrid player who has done most of his damage as a pass rusher in high school. His upside will be even greater if he shows he can handle his own in coverage at the collegiate level.
The Sooners gained some momentum on the recruiting trail with these commitments and have a small but potent class with seven total commitments including four players rated four stars.
Auburn adds Beef and Speed
The Tigers gained three commitments on Friday from OT Caleb Johnson, OL Garner Langlo, and ATH Tar’varish Dawson.
Caleb Johnson is a legit tackle prospect that is listed at 6’7” and possesses the athleticism to protect the edge. With Auburn needing to add depth up front, the four star’s commitment to Auburn is huge.
Also adding to the OL class is Garner Langlo another big prospect at 6’7” who has played both guard and tackle for his high school team. Langlo brings some versatility to the group and has a prototypical frame for the coaching staff to work with.
High three star ATH Tar’varish Dawson may not be the biggest prospect (5’10” 175) but he has elite speed. The two way player from Florida was clocked at a 10.58 in the 100 meters in February. It will be interesting to monitor where coach Gus Malzahn will utilize Dawson’s speed for the Tigers.
Auburn now has seven commitments with three players rated four stars or better. With a commitment expected from recent Virginia Tech de-commitment, QB Dematrius Davis on Sunday, Auburn is definitely picking up steam on the recruiting trail.
Saban Recruiting Slow and Steady
On Friday, the Tide received another four star commitment from DB Kaine Williams (6’2” 205). Williams is expected to play safety for Alabama and will have every opportunity to continue the tradition of excellent safety play under Coach Saban.
The Crimson Tide may not be picking up a bunch of commitments in a single day like the two programs already highlighted, but the quality of their commitments is undeniable. Alabama now has five commitments for the class of 2021, including four players rated four stars.
Williams is the second commitment this week for the perennial power and more could be coming with prospects committing at a faster pace than year’s past due to COVID-19.
Oklahoma State keeps Top In-state Defender Home
The Cowboys received a commitment Friday from in-state LB Collin Oliver (6’2” 220). Oliver is a traditional linebacker prospect and is a track athlete who participates in the shot put, broad jump, and long jump (20’6” PR).
Oliver is the first four star commitment for Coach Mike Gundy’s 2021 class. Although known for their offensive firepower, the Cowboys current class is mostly filled with defensive players (four out of five commitments play defense).
It is always important to secure the top in-state talent for any program and Oklahoma State now holds commitments from the fourth (Oliver) and tenth (S Ty Williams) best prospects in the state.
As long as that trend continues, the team should continue it’s on field success for years to come.
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