Alabama added another significant piece to its offensive line class on Tuesday. Jackson Lloyd, the No. 1 recruit in California per On3 Sports, has announced his commitment after spending the last few days in Tuscaloosa on an official visit. Lloyd was one of the first targets for Coach Kalen DeBoer, and the immediate interest benefited with a massive addition to the class.
Lloyd, who is a three-sport star (football, basketball, baseball) didn’t have a lot opportunities to visit schools during the last several months. He did, however, manage multiple trips to Alabama including a late January weekend in Tuscaloosa. He was offered Alabama January 15-three days after Coach DeBoer was hired. He was the first recruit to reveal an offer from Alabama, post-Nick Saban.
Much of that is contributed to Alabama (football) general manager Courtney Morgan who made the initial call to inform Lloyd of the offer. The 6-foot-6, 295-pounder received an offer from Coach DeBoer last summer (Washington). He quickly scheduled a first trip UA, and also returned April 3 for an unofficial visit. It was the only school Lloyd visited until May.
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Ohio State hosted Lloyd for an official visit last weekend. The Buckeyes extended an offer on May 7, and he traveled to Columbus for the first time on May 10. There was a lot of buzz coming from Ohio State after the visit which seemed more of an emotional high. He returned to Alabama. The relationships, early connection and comfort level in Tuscaloosa were important factors in the decision.
“Jackson is not impressed with flash… I think some of the programs he crossed off the list early were focused on the glamour,” Lloyd’s father, Ryan, told BOL on Monday. “The thing that I thought Kadyn (Proctor) and Wilkin (Formby) did a great job of doing was emphasizing the brotherhood to him. That’s ultra-important for Jackson. He’s so focused on the brotherhood and the team. That was a huge priority for him – to get to know the guys and see that.”
Lloyd is the third offenisve line commitment for Alabama in less than a week. He joins the recent additions from Mike Carroll, No. 2 interior from Central Bucks East High School in Doylestown, Pa., and Mal Waldrep, three-star interior from Central High School in Phenix City, Ala.
Alabama hired offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic to replace Scott Huff after the former Washington assistant opted for the same position with the Seattle Seahawks. The Lloyds had a lot of positive things to say regarding Coach ‘Kap’, and while he played a significant role in the decision, it’s Coach DeBoer’s program.
“Coach DeBoer, you walk away from a conversation with him and you always feel like you’re the most important person in the room,” Mr. Lloyd told BOL. “I think that stands out. Jackson feels that all the time. It’s always very obvious that he’s a consummate professional. He’s going to be there for a long time. The state of Alabama doesn’t know what’s coming. I think the success is going to continue. Everything they’re used to probably won’t change, but only for the better.”
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