Throughout the course of college football history, we have seen historic recruiting classes. In the Recruiting Rewind series, we will visit some historic recruiting classes since 2010. First up is 2017 Alabama. The Tide took home the top spot in the 2017 recruiting rankings and had many players win multiple awards and championships and become first-round draft picks. Today by ranking, we will look at the next five players in the 2017 Alabama recruiting cycle.
1. VanDarius Cowan
First up in part three is VanDarius Cowan. As a recruit, Cowan ranked 78th in the nation and 4th at the OLB position. In one year for the Tide, he had two tackles in limited playing time. Before the 2018 season, Cowan was arrested at a Tuscaloosa bar and was charged by police with a misdemeanor assault. As a result of this, Cowan was kicked off the team and forced to enter the portal. West Virginia became the new home for the Florida native as he played three seasons with the Mountaineers racking up 38 tackles and two sacks. After last season, Cowan entered the portal, heading north to Maryland. In his one season in Annapolis, he had 13 tackles. VanDarius has some eligibility and is continuing to work toward the NFL with the Terrapins.
https://twitter.com/testudotimes/status/1573717426759290881
2. Tyrell Shavers
Like Cowan, Tyrell Shavers is another player who struggled at Alabama. As a recruit, the 6-6 WR ranked 88th in the nation and 12th in his position. Shavers stayed with the Tide for three seasons despite the depth of Wide Receivers Alabama had. Over those three years, Shavers hauled in one catch for 20 yards. After the 2019 season, Tyrell transferred to Mississippi State. During his one year in Starkville, he had nine catches for 107 yards and his first career touchdown. After his quick stop in Starkville, Tyrell headed to San Deigo State, where he has helped revive his career. In two years with the Aztecs, he racked up over 800 yards and five touchdowns. VanDarius has some eligibility left and is continuing to work towards the NFL with San Diego State.
https://twitter.com/ByCasagrande/status/1473536805521743878
3. Jarez Parks
Jarez Parks is third. As a recruit, Parks ranked 91st in the nation and 7th in his position. Parks barely saw playing time during his career with the Tide and saw time in one game in 2020. After the shortened season, Parks entered the transfer portal due to sitting behind players like Will Anderson and Chris Braswell. His current whereabouts are unknown, and it seems he did stop playing football after leaving Tuscaloosa. While his football career did not pan out, Parks did graduate from Alabama with a degree.
https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/826843247213420545
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4. Isaiah Buggs
Isaiah Buggs was part of the 2015 class but chose an alternate route. Before his time with the Tide, he attended Mississippi Gulf Coast College, where he became the #2 JUCO prospect in the 2017 class. During his first year at Alabama in 2017, Buggs started 13 of 14 games, recording 51 tackles and 1.5 sacks. After his two seasons in Tuscaloosa, Buggs declared for the 2019 Draft, where the Steelers selected him at pick 192. After a brief stint in Pittsburgh, he was signed to the Raiders practice squad and later signed with the Lions. In his first season in Detroit, Buggs accumulated 46 tackles and one sack.
https://twitter.com/MSUDude4/status/1616150860521668615
5. Markail Benton
Last up in part three is Markail Benton. Benton ranked as the 100th player in the 2017 class and 7th as an Outside Linebacker. In two years for the Tide, Benton eclipsed 34 tackles in limited snaps. After the 2019 season, Benton transferred to the home-state Jacksonville State Gamecocks. In three years with the Gamecocks, Markail has eclipsed 69 tackles and 2.5 sacks. After coming off his best season, Markail hopes to improve his game as he has reportedly declared for the 2023 NFL Draft.
https://twitter.com/8KingBenton/status/1602368291921694732
