Uncommitted: Rueben Randle
High school: Bastrop (La.)
Position: WR/QB
Size: 6-foot-3, 195 pounds
Tom Lemming’s Top 100: No. 26 overall (No. 4 WR)
Finalists (alphabetical): Alabama, LSU, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Tennessee
More Uncommitted: Devon Kennard
By Mitch Stephens
MaxPreps.com
Bastrop (La.) senior Rueben Randle is book and football smart. And he’s quiet.
“Not just pretty quiet, he’s really quiet,” Bastrop coach Brad Bradshaw said.
So, when it comes to predicting where the nation’s No. 26 recruit is heading to college, it’s anyone’s guess.
The 6-foot-3, 195-pound receiver hasn’t shown his hand to anyone around the rural town of about 13,000 residents located at the Northern tip of the state, about 10 miles from Karl Malone’s hometown of Monroe.
Bradshaw has built quite a football factory in a town known for its International Paper Company mill that shut down last year.
The Rams have maintained pride and strength in the community with three straight state 4A titles starting 2005 before losing in the semifinals last season with Randle calling signals.
After the graduation of his two-time All-State quarterback Randall Mackey, Bradshaw asked Randle to call signals last spring.
“He didn’t make any fuss about it,” Bradshaw said. “Like always, he was real quiet about it and just wanted to help the team.”
Showing off his vast athleticism, Randle earned All-State honors by completing 166 of 274 for 2,442 yards and 20 touchdowns. He also rushed for 680 yards and 12 more scores.
How was able to handle the change so seamlessly?
Bradshaw said Randle’s grade point average (3.5) might explain the smoth transition as much as his 4.4 speed in the 40 or strength and size.
“He’s just a bright young man,” Bradshaw said. “We suspected when he came into school he’d be a fine player. He’s got a good body and coordination and speed. We’ve had faster kids but I think his intelligence is what sets him apart.”
CBS Sports recruiting expert Tom Lemming said Randle is a clone of 6-3, 215-pound Notre Dame receiver Michael Floyd, a blue chip recruit out of Minnesota who had 48 catches for 719 yards and seven TDs as a true freshman for the Irish.
“(Randle) is a big, physical athletic kid – a small forward type,” Lemming said. “He can take a hit. He’s very dependable. And he's confident but not braggadocios.”
The entire Southeastern Conference is heavily after Randle. Lemming and Bradshaw think nearby LSU, which has been the stopping point for many Bastrop players, is the front runner. Former Bastrop defensive tackle Kentravis Aubrey is with Les Miles’ squad right now.
Cotton Bowl defensive MVP Marshay Green (Mississippi) is the only other player from Randle’s final list who played at Bastrop.
“In that region, never bet against LSU,” Lemming said.
Said Bradshaw: “I have no evidence or reason to believe it, but my gut reaction is that he'll wind up at LSU."
Breaking down the finalists;
Auburn: The Tigers entered the fray late and Randle is making them his final official visit next weekend. The Tigers return both quarterbacks from last year and really spread the ball around. Auburn has landed only one other Louisiana recruit thus far, another QB/WR athlete in Travante Stallworth of Leesville.
Tennessee: New coach Lane Kiffin made in-home visits to both Randle and Bastrop defensive tackle D.D. Jones on Jan. 20. According to Bastrop Daily Enterprise, Kiffin made some inroads but it’s probably further than Randle wants his family to travel.
Oklahoma: With Heisman winner Sam Bradford announcing his return, this becomes an even more attractive draw for any receiver. Even out of the SEC. Only wideout, Jaz Reynolds (Eisenhower, Houston, Texas), has committed thus far and three of the top four WR who caught more than 28 passes last season are graduating.
Alabama: There’s a couple key signs pointing toward the Tide. One is Nick Saban, a major force wherever he recruits. Two, Randle has taken two trips to Tuscaloosa, the last one primarily for his family on Jan. 17-18. “It was a good visit,” Randle told the Bastrop Daily Enterprise. “They treated everybody well. Everything was organized and well-orchestrated.” The Tide will have a new QB since John Parker Wilson graduates and they need to compliment Julio Jones, perhaps the nation’s top freshman receiver from last year.
LSU: This looks like a good fit in all regards. The Tigers return a pair of talented freshmen quarterbacks in Jarrett Lee and Jordan Jefferson and they need someone to step in alongside leading receiver Brandon LaFell. Close to home. Great program. Randle looks like he could immediately contribute.
Final Take: We like kids to spread their wings and go long, but in this case LSU looks too good to pass up. It’s a good match in all phases. We have a hunch, however, Saban might snatch away Louisiana’s big catch.
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