UA recruit is state's Mr. Football
Thu. January 19, 2012 at 1:00 a.m. | By Aaron Suttles
T.J. Yeldon, left, of Daphne High School, holds up his Mr. Football award with Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association director Alvin Briggs. (Photo by Photo | ASWA, Kristi Ingram )
MONTGOMERY | The University of Alabama and West Alabama high school football were well represented at the 2011 Mr. Football Awards Banquet on Wednesday afternoon.
Four Alabama commitments for the 2012 and 2013 classes were honored as the best in their respective classification, including Daphne running back T.J. Yeldon, who took home Class 6A Back of the Year honors as well as the day’s biggest prize, Mr. Football.
It was the first time since 2000 (Carnell Williams) that a running back claimed the state’s highest honor for a high school football player.
"It means a lot, knowing that you’re one of the top guys in the state this year," Yeldon said. "It’s just a great feeling for me. Roll Tide."
Yeldon’s Daphne teammate Ryan Anderson (both graduated early and are currently enrolled at Alabama) was nominated for 6A Lineman of the Year but lost out to another UA commitment, Reggie Ragland from Bob Jones High School.
Thomasville athlete Tyler Hayes (2012) and Handley offensive lineman Bradley Bozeman (2013) took home Lineman of the Year honors in Class 4A and 3A, respectively.
A pair of West Alabama athletes swept the 1A honors, with Pickens County’s DeMarko Hall claiming the Back of the Year award and Linden linebacker Terris Lewis nabbing Lineman of the Year.
"I’m just glad to be here today and to represent my school," Lewis said.
"I’m just glad to win this award and bring it back home because (Linden running back Kendarius) Fritts won it last year, and I’m just glad to bring it back home again to show my junior quarterback, Anthony Robinson, what it takes to win one of these next year."
Robinson finished second to Hall.
American Christian Academy quarterback Austin Grammer finished runner-up to Fultondale athlete ArDarius Stewart by a vote of 76-62. Grammer completed a stellar high school career, helping the Patriots to the 2A semifinals.
"Well I know there is a lot of top-notch talent in this room, and to be considered among the best of the best is truly a great honor," Grammer said. "It’s a big honor to be around some of the talent that is here. All of these guys are deserving of their awards. It feels like a great accomplishment to be here with them."
AISA
Back of the Year: Sam Coleman, Edgewood Academy
Lineman of the Year: Nick McLaughlin, Pike Liberal
Class 1A
Back of the Year: DeMarko Hall, Pickens County
Lineman of the Year: Terris Lewis, Linden
Class 2A
Back of the Year: ArDarius Stewart, Fultondale
Lineman of the Year: Bradley Patterson, Red Bay
Class 3A
Back of the Year: Diamond Simmons, Hanceville
Lineman of the Year: Bradley Bozeman, Handley
Class 4A
Back of the Year: Troymaine Pope, Anniston
Lineman of the Year: Tyler Hayes, Thomasville
Class 5A
Back of the Year: Jameis Winston, Hueytown
Lineman of the Year: Chris Rabb, Hueytown
Class 6A
Back of the Year: T.J. Yeldon, Daphne
Lineman of the Year: Reggie Ragland, Bob Jones
Mr. Football: T.J. Yeldon, Daphne
Previous Mr. Football winners:
1982 Tommy Compton, Vigor
1983 Freddie Weygand,
Emma Sansom
1984 Roderick Green, Gardendale
1985 Pierre Goode, Hazlewood
1986 Larry Ware,
Lee-Montgomery
1987 Robert Jones, Parker
1988 Darrell Williams, Vigor
1989 Steven Coleman, Pike Co.
1990 David Palmer, Jackson-Olin
1991 Robert Davis, Homewood
1992 Freddie Kitchens, Etowah
1993 Thomas Banks,
West Jefferson
1994 Dawud Rasheed,
Shades Valley
1995 Gorman Thornton, Jeff Davis
1996 Antoneyo Williams,
Central-Tuscaloosa
1997 Mac Campbell, Alexandria
1998 DeMarco McNeil, Blount
1999 Cory Whisenant, Springville
2000 Carnell Williams, Etowah
2001 Brandon Cox,
Hewitt-Trussville
2002 JaMarcus Russell,Williamson
2003 Chris Nickson, Pike Co.
2004 Jarod Bryant, Hoover
2005 Andre Smith, Huffman
2006 Larry Smith, Prattville
2007 Julio Jones, Foley
2008 Clint Moseley, Leroy
2009 Coty Blanchard, Cherokee Co.
2010 Jamal Golden, Wetumpka
2011 T.J. Yeldon, DaphneSUPER 12
T.J. Yeldon, Daphne, 187
Jameis “Jaboo” Winston, Hueytown, 173
Troymaine Pope, Anniston, 116
ArDarius Stewart, Fultondale, 84
Tyler Hayes, Thomasville, 79
Reggie Ragland, Bob Jones, 65
Chris Rabb, Hueytown, 57
Ryan Anderson, Daphne, 51
DeMarko Hall, Pickens County, 46
Diamond Simmons, Hanceville, 35
Austin Grammer, American Christian, 31
Dustyn Moseley, Jackson, 29
Reach Aaron Suttles at aaron.suttles@tuscaloosanews.com or at 205-722-0229.