4-Star RB B.J. Emmons Commits To Alabama
It would appear Alabama football has picked up another commitment for 2016.. This one from four-star running back B.J. Emmons out of Freedom High School in Morganton, North Carolina. According to BamaOnline, the decision to commit to the University of Alabama came after an unofficial visit to the school last week.
From all indications he really enjoyed the coaches at Alabama during his visit and that played heavily into his decision to go ahead and make the commitment now. It is understood that not only did B.J. make the trip to Bama, but was accompanied by his family.
Emmons had formerly committed to Georgia and backed off. Tennessee and Alabama were both going after him pretty hard. Bama came up the winner.
The 5' 10", 232-pounder is rated by 247Sports Composite rankings as the number four running back in the nation, as well as the number eight overall player.
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Greatest Names In Bama Football History-Johnny Mack Brown
Today we begin a series on some of the "greatest" to play the game of football at the University of Alabama. Some were never heard from again, but others went on to great careers in professional football, other sports, and even television and movies.
We go back to the beginning. Let's take a look at Johnny Mack Brown.
Johnny Mack Brown was born September 1, 1904 in Dothan, Alabama, and died November 14, 1974 in Woodland Hills, California. He was an All-American at the University of Alabama and later became a very successful film actor. He played at Bama under head football coach Wallace Wade.
Brown was a standout on his high school football team, which earned him a scholarship to UA. He played running back, or as it was called back then, half back, for the Crimson Tide. Brown was the MVP in Bama's win for the national championship back in 1926. He scored two of the team's three touchdowns in Alabama's upset win over the Washington Huskies.
Brown's good looks landed him Wheaties cereal boxes, and in turn that brought him an offer for motion picture screen tests resulting in a long and successful career in Hollywood. It was only minor roles for Brown until 1930 when he was cast as the star in the western movie, Billy The Kid. Later that same year Brown portrayed Joan Crawford's love interest in Montana Moon.
Brown made several more movies, including The Secret Six (1931), The Last Flight (1931), and others through the years. He turned to mainly westerns, making 127 during his career. Brown retired in 1953. He came out of retirement for awhile to appear in secondary roles for a few more Western films. He appeared in over 160 movies between 1927 and 1966, as well as a few television shows. His career spanned almost 40 years.
Brown was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6101 Hollywood Boulevard if you wish to see it when out there. He was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1969.
Brown passed away at the age of 70, and was interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California.
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18 Now Commited To Tide For 2016
This is the complete list of the 18 University of Alabama football commitments for 2016 class as of July 20, 2015.
- T.J. Simmons, WR (6' 2", 185 lbs), Clay-Chalkville High School, Pinson, Ala.*
- Deonte Brown, OL (6' 3", 330 lbs), Austin High, Decatur, Ala.*
- Riley Cole, LB (6' 3", 210lbs), Oneonta High Schol, Oneonta, Ala.*
- Quinnen Williams, DL (6' 4", 265 lbs), Wenonah High School, Birmingham, Ala.*
- Chris Owens, OL (6' 3", 312 lbs), Lamar High, Arlington, Texas
- Shyheim Carter, CB (6' 0", 185 lbs), Kentwood High, Kentwood, La.
- Raekwon Davis, DT (6' 7", 315 lbs), Meridian High, Meridian, Miss.
- Jonah Williams, OL (6' 5", 283 lbs), Folsom High, Folsom, Calif.
- Brendan Scales, TE (6' 4", 230 lbs), Lafayette, Ballwin, Mo.
- Joshua Perry, DB (6' 3", 190 lbs), Amite High, Amite, La.
- Kendell Jones, DT (6' 4", 360 lbs), Shoemaker High, Killeen, Texas
- Charles Baldwin, OL (6' 5", 305 lbs), ASA College, Brooklyn, N.Y.
- Jalen Hurts, QB (6' 2", 208lbs), Channelview High, Channelview, Texas
- Jaquan Yulee, LB (6' 0", 252 lbs), Indian River High, Chesapeake, Va.
- Eddy Pineiro, K (6' 1", 180 lbs), ASA College, Miami, Fla.
- Miller Forristall, TE (6' 5", 220lbs), Cartersville High School, Cartersville, Ga.
- Khalid Kareem, DE (6' 4", 260 lbs), Harrison High, Farmington, Mich.
- B.J. Emmons, RB (5' 10", 232 lbs), Freedom High, Morganton, N.C.
*In-state commitments
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Which Freshman Will Step Up For 2015?
Off-season conditioning and 7-on-7 drills are taking place in preparation for fall camp at the University of Alabama. The practice field, weight room, and in-door practice facility all are seeing action as each of Bama's players try to get themselves ready for the start of fall practice and, in turn, the 2015 season.
Everyone wonders about the new kids on the block, Bama's freshman class. According to running back Kenyan Drake, the entire class has impressed him. He says they "came in with the hunger." He was also complimentary in the fact that there are those who have stepped up and even taken on leadership roles.
Reggie Ragland threw out a few names, such as safety Ronnie Harrison and cornerbacks Kendall Sheffielf and Minkah Fitzpatrick. He also had praise for receiver Calvin Ridley and running back Damien Harris.
Alabama once again brought in the number one recruiting class in the nation with group. Several are expected to contribute when the season gets underway.
