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Nation’s No. 1 athlete in class of 2017 talks about SEC-filled recruitment process
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JaCoby Stevens is the No. 1-ranked athlete in the class of 2017 according to 247 Sports. And according to Jeff Sentell of dawgnation.com, Stevens had Georgia as his front-runner earlier in the year, but now, other Southeastern Conference schools are gaining ground.
“I am just in a place where I am trying to figure everything out,” Stevens told Sentell. “Those schools are all giving me something to think about.”
One of the schools Stevens was mentioning was Auburn. Auburn offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee has recruited Stevens since his freshman year of high school. Even after Stevens initially signed with LSU, and his since decommitted, Lashlee has stuck with Stevens.
“People are trying to list me as a safety but I consider myself as an athlete,” Stevens told Sentell. “I can play both sides of the ball. I can play special teams and help my team win the entire game. Just give me a chance to contribute the whole game. Auburn is doing a good job of selling me that I can play both sides of the ball and show off my versatility. When people ask me what position I play, I just say athlete because I don’t think I actually fit into one specific position grouping. Auburn is selling me hard about playing on both sides of the ball and using my versatility as an athlete.”
Stevens also talked about how he has great relationships with Alabama defensive backs coach Derrick Ansley and LSU Director of Player Personnel Austin Thomas. Ansley has also recruited Stevens since he was a freshman.
Sentell also said Stevens had his interest in Mississippi State sparked by his teammate, Kaleb Oliver, committing to play for the Bulldogs. At this point, it sounds as though the five-star athlete just wants to be given a chance to play both offensively and defensively, regardless of which SEC school it is.
“I would just tell the schools right now to give me an opportunity to be great on both sides of the ball,” Stevens told Sentell. “You won’t regret it. That’s the same thing I tell my high school coach right now.”
Take a look at what he can do both at the safety position, and anywhere on offense.
Twitter: @KidCuni
