Safety Clarence Ward commits to Bama!

[runtheoption22]

Clarence Ward

Another big pickup for this year's DB class. He played safety a lot, but the staff liked him at CB, especially after the AS game.

This staff continues to impress, especially with kids out of north FL.

 

[RollTider82]

Tide lands commitment from Florida DB

We just got a commitment from Clarence Ward of Pensacola HS in FL. He was the defensive MVP in an all star game in FL friday night with 2 picks, returning one for a TD. I don't know the details, but he apparently was a high ranked 4 star, considered one of the best in Texas. He then had some sort of falling out w/ LSU and moved to FL. He lost a star somehow.

Here's an interesting tidbit. When Pensacola played Fred Rouse's school, Lincoln this season, he was part of the defensive backfield that held Fred Rouse(#1 WR in the country) to zero catches. He's 6-1, runs a 4.44, weighs 175. Finished the season w/61 tackles, 3 picks and 1 KO return for a TD.

 

[rizolltizide]

Question for one of the resident recruiting junkies...I notice on his profile that he is 3 star. In the same box as the stars it says 5.6 over in the corner. What does that 5.6 signify?

 

[RollTider82]

5.6 is like a skill rating.

6.1 is the highest, and means the player will make an immediate impact. It's about like the star ranking system, though. It's all subjective. Simeon was a 5.7 last year.

 

[runtheoption22]

Question for one of the resident recruiting junkies...I notice on his profile that he is 3 star. In the same box as the stars it says 5.6 over in the corner. What does that 5.6 signify?

that 5.6 is a RR or Rivals Rating....click on the RR on one of the database pages and it will give you an explanation. It is just a system they use to say how effective and when a player will be effective in college.

 

[rizolltizide]

Gotcha. Thanks guys. I guess stars alone aren't good enough. They have to try to confuse us even more.

 

[BornBama]

****

per Scout.

 

[TexasBama]

This is very, very good news.

If he were still out here at LaMarque, he'd be listed in the Houston Chronicle's Top 100 in Texas.

BTW, LaMarque is an absolute football juggernaut (think a 4A Hazelwood)

 

[Crimson Surfer]

UA gets commitment

BamaOnline.com reported that Ward (6-foot-1, 175 pounds) received an official offer and accepted after playing in the Emerald Coast All-Star Game on Friday night. Playing for the South team, Ward was named the defensive MVP after he had two interceptions, returning one for a 50-yard touchdown.

Ward transferred this fall from LaMarque, Texas. He originally committed to LSU over the summer and was named the Texas preseason player of the year, but was dismissed from the team on Sept. 22.

Tide Gets Defensive Back

Clarence Ward made his commitment to Alabama Coach Mike Shula. Pensacola Head Coach Mike Bennett said Tuesday morning that, "Clarence committed last night about 7:30. He received a firm offer, last night from Coach Shula, and he went ahead and committed."

Ward, 5-11, 175, had a few reasons for making his commitment to the Tide.

Bennett said, "We have been talking about it for a while now. Alabama is the place he wanted to go. Coach Shula came by the school and really impressed him. Clarence also talked to Keith Brown about going to Alabama. He was very impressed with what Keith had to say."

Bennett believes Alabama is getting an outstanding football player.

Clarence Ward Profile

Commitment List

 

[SaintDeuce]

WOW...me and a friend of mine were talking about the PHS defensive backfield the other day, and how amazing they looked in the 4A playoffs...They were ALL just big and fast....I can't believe we got this guy. He is a flatout STUD, period. Big, BIG pickup.

 

[JessN]

This is really huge. Aside from Keys, this was the top defensive player left on our board, in my opinion. Tremendous pick-up.

 

[RollTide2432]

VERY happy with that news.

If Shula can close with Keys (Miami is a fabolous place to coach), a lineman like Greenwood or please god Wes Brown and get Upchurch qualified he has done GREAT job.

 

[GAMEFACE]

Huge huge pick up!

I think this guy was targeted for a long time and they got their man. Him and Keys (who will more than likely end up in CRIMSON) IMHO are the top two in this area on their board. This is big and we have a great class as it stands now. Stars aside these kids can play. If he closes with a bang (I think he will and we get one real nice Christmas gift, maybe after Christmas but better late than never) I think we are on a long long road of real good years to come. I am very impressed with CMS recruiting. He has done a great job with his hands cuffed and now the gloves are off and he is on fire.

 

[TexasBama]

More on Ward:

He was state of Texas pre-season all-state (all classifications team)

 

[Queasy1]

Got to be impressed with the physical size that CMS and staff are putting in the defensive backfield.

 

[Bama18]

Bad History???

This kid does have some bad history. An October Rivals article says that Sep 22nd Ward was dismissed from La Marque for unspecified reasons. This is probably why LSU dropped their interest in him. However from the most recent Dec Rivals article it appears now that he is a model student at Pensacola. Could be just one of those stupid decisions you make when your young and you learn your lesson. I'm sure Shula and staff know his history and are comfortable with his attitude. I wonder what he did???

RTR

 

[Bama Lee]

BamaMag has Ward listed as a four star prospect. That 4.6 speed scares me some if it it is the Coaching staffs intention to play him there. Maybe he is like alot of DB's coming out of High School and they will move him to OLB. Of course the Rivals article did say that he played better than his speed. The coaching staff knows alot more than I do.... Thank God!!!

 

[mikeua69]

BamaMag has Ward listed as a four star prospect. That 4.6 speed scares me some if it it is the Coaching staffs intention to play him there. Maybe he is like alot of DB's coming out of High School and they will move him to OLB. Of course the Rivals article did say that he played better than his speed. The coaching staff knows alot more than I do.... Thank God!!!

Rivals has him timed at 4.4

 

[IBCandW]

Looks as though these Recruiting websites need to recheck their info.
I would trust Rivals between the 2.

 

[Queasy1]

Maybe he is like alot of DB's coming out of High School and they will move him to OLB. Of course the Rivals article did say that he played better than his speed. The coaching staff knows alot more than I do.... Thank God!!!

At 176lbs, he's not moving to OLB. I'm sure the coaches have a more accurate time that they are happy with.