Alabama Football Recruiting: 5-star DE LaBryan Ray commits to Crimson Tide
By Carly Regehr
James Clemens (AL) DE LaBryan Ray made his declaration to spend his college career at the University of Alabama.
One ingredient of a successful program is recruiting. In Alabama’s case, they have notched some of the top recruiting classes and that streak won’t end any time soon. And a loss in this year’s National Championship game didn’t slow them down. As the No. 1 strong-side defensive end in the nation, LaBryan Ray will add some spice to Alabama’s defense. His 6-foot-4, 260-pound frame will help him truck past opposing offensive lines, while his elusiveness will terrorize the pocket.
It’s hard to put oneself in the shoe’s of a high school football standout, especially if Alabama’s Nick Saban calls you personally to offer you a scholarship. In Ray’s case, he thought very fondly of the Florida Gators – so much so that he posted a picture of him in Gators gear. A week after his official visit to Tennessee, Ray would make a pit stop in Gainesville, a place where a defensive lineman is much-needed. That may be so, but Ray, like many other recruits, have the NFL on his mind. He knows Alabama can help him achieve that objective.
Ray’s high school season was cut short when the James Clemens Jets lost to Hoover in the second round of the state playoffs. After recording 99 tackles and 11 sacks as a senior, LaBryan Ray eyed a few other schools aside from Alabama. The main threat was the Florida Gators, but with the artwork of recruiter Jeremy Pruitt and Karl Dunbar, Alabama would be Ray’s top – and final – choice.
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In total, Alabama has now racked in 25 recruits, most of whom have four stars attached to their name. Of the 24, only one other defensive end will join Ray, Isaiah Buggs from Mississippi. With examples, like Jonathan Allen (Class of 2013), the turnaround might be a quick transition for Ray. Allen would end up starting for Alabama in 2013, but wouldn’t play a full season until the following year. Ray, of course, is much lighter than Allen but has the weight of a college-sized linebacker. Sometimes, that can be scary enough.