Ruggs walking his own path
Kevontae Ruggs, a linebacker from Lee High School in Montgomery, Alabama, emerged after one year of playing high school football. He has not played since his eighth-grade year, but returned to the gridiron as a junior to record 92 tackles and two interceptions.
"I think my strengths are the fact I play physical and fast," Ruggs said. "I catch on to the game very fast. My love and passion for the game are strengths of mine. I am just working on getting to know the game better. I am working on my technique and footwork."
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The 6-foot-4, 192-pound athlete is also a standout basketball player. He has earned three scholarships in football from Alabama, South Alabama, and Western Kentucky. He is receiving interest from Georgia, UCLA, Toledo and a few others.
He attended Junior Day at Alabama and also hoping to visit Western Kentucky and South Alabama in the near future.
"Junior Day at Alabama was a great experience," he said. "It was great getting to know some of the players who are getting recruited in the 2018 class. I talked to a few coaches. I was just learning more about the program, and seeing what all they have to offer education-wise.
"I talked to Coach Ansley, Coach Pruitt and a few more coaches. They were just talking about everything I need to do. They plan on coming to see me in the spring. They showed how I would fit into the program. They are talking to me about playing outside linebacker and a little bit of 'star.'
"I like the fact it's like a family up there. I want to go somewhere you feel safe and at home. They are all for their athletes there. They are going to help you do what you need to do to be successful on-and-off the field. I just like that it's a big family there."
Kevontae watched his older brother, Henry, announce his commitment to the University of Alabama on National Signing Day just last month.
"I actually didn't know where he was going to go," Kevontae said. "He gave us all the runaround. The night before signing day he stayed in a hotel with my cousin. He wanted to think and pray about his decision.
"I was happy with his choice. I feel like he always makes the right decisions. I've always looked up to him in that category. I think he made the right decision for him.
Stay together on the next level or go a different direction?
"I would love to play alongside him again," he said. "We are always our biggest competition. We have always competed in everything we do. Just being around him makes me better. Competing against each other makes us closer and makes us better."
Ruggs will take his time in making a decision
"I am actually going to sit back and just see how it plays out right now," he said. "I don't know when I will make a decision. I don't have a top school right now. I am just going to weigh my options."