Star linebacker Jaquan ‘The Animal’ Yulee surprised some by committing to Alabama recently. But the 6-1, 242-pound, 2016 prospect from Indian River HS in Chesapeake, VA says that after visiting Tuscaloosa this spring, it was an easy decision.
Yulee informed his recruiter, Tide outside linebacker coach Tosh Lupoi, of his commitment prior to his announcement.
“When I told Coach Lupoi that I was ready to commit, he was all pumped up,” Yulee says. “He said that Coach Saban was pumped up about it, too. He said they can’t wait for me to get down there.
While he has the size, some say he doesn’t have the speed.
“I’ve seen these reports that I ran a slow time. I was like, ‘Wow!’” Yulee says.
“These rumors that I’m slow, I couldn’t believe it, but that’s been part of my entire recruiting process. People have doubted me all along. So right now, I kind a like all these rumors. They just motivate me.
Yulee says he plans to help keep the Tide rolling, too.
neonta linebacker Riley Cole made quite a name for himself on the camp circuit in recent months. His performance at Alabama’s camp was so impressive that it earned him an offer from Nick Saban last Thursday.
“Coach Tucker got me on the phone around 4 o’clock with Coach Saban,” the 6-3, 213-pound Cole says. “They offered me and I committed. Coach Saban said that was great. He just wanted to make sure that I was one-hundred percent sure of my decision.
“I had a feeling the offer was coming pretty soon. We had already talked with them about it. After I camped there, I knew they really liked me. They asked me to come back down this past Tuesday for a visit, which I did. So I had a feeling that the offer was coming this week.
“They said that I did everything like they wanted me to at the camp. They said I did a good job going through the drills exactly the way they wanted me to. They said that I performed exceptionally well.
Cole was the MVP of the NIKE Atlanta Opening back in the spring.
Interestingly, Cole says he didn’t grow up a fan of the Crimson Tide or any college team.
“I’ve always kept up with college football,” he says. “It’s just always been a dream of mine to play in the SEC, especially for the top program in the country.
As a junior, Cole made 148 tackles, including 23 tackles for losses. He had five sacks. He was named first team Class 4A All-State.