12/28/2016 football Edit

Ray tight-lipped on decision

Andrew Bone • TideIllustrated

Senior Recruting Analyst

Bone has covered Alabama football recruiting since 2003. His book, The Road to Bama, can be purchased via Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million.

LaBryan Ray, Rivals100 defensive end from James Clemens High School in Madison, Alabama, was one of the top overall performers on day one in Orlando for the Under Armour All-America game. Ray is one of the top uncommitted players participating in the game on Sunday, unlike some he will not announce a decision this weekend.

Ray will take four official visits in January. He has already taken an official visit to Ole Miss. He will visit Tennessee (1/13), Alabama (1/20), and Florida (1/27) and take a mid-week official visit to Mississippi State. The date to Starkville is not set.

Defensive line targets are priority for Alabama in the 2017 class. A couple of players are eager for Ray to join them in Tuscaloosa.

"Kyriq (McDonald) and Kendall (Randolph) are hard on me," Ray said. "A lot of times they joke around and are just having fun. I have known them for a long time. They want me to make the best decision for me and my family. I know they will be OK with whatever decision I make."

Ray was asked by Mike Farrell (in video below) which two schools are in the race until the end. He mentioned Alabama and Florida. He also added Tennessee.

"I have a little pressure on me," Ray said. "People who really know me know what type of kid I am. They want me to make the best decision for me. I do get pressured a lot, but it's one of these things you just have to take and make your own choice."

Alabama is selling Ray on the possible replacement of Jonathan Allen who is the Bednarik award winner, unanimous All-American and SEC Defensive Player of the Year.

"They have mentioned to me about playing a similar role as Jonathan Allen," Ray said. "I will be able to play that type of role and be versatile. I play like that at my high school where I moved around a lot. I got comfortable with it."

Ray gave his prediction on the two college football playoff games this week.

"It's going to be a great game," he said of Alabama vs. Washington. "Two great teams going up against each other. I think it will be a close game, but Alabama will win by a touchdown.

"I know both of the playoff games are going to be good. The Clemson-Ohio State game is going to be a good one. I think Ohio State will win by a touchdown."