The five-star ran back Camar Wheaton rolls with the tide. Garland (Texas) The Lakeview Centennial standout selected Alabama over Oklahoma Wednesday night. This is the second cycle in a row Nick Saban and company to knock Sooners out for a big goal for races back after Jase McClellan flipped his commitment from OU to UA on Early Signing Day last December.
The news is somewhat surprising given most of the thoughts Lincoln Riley and the company had the edge in the latter parts of the recruitment in Texas. But Wheaton’s poor character throughout the process suggested that he could do anything when the time for decision came. On the eve of his announcement, the buzz began to grow in UA’s favor.
Special teams and coaches with narrow ends Jeff Banks led the indictment of Wheaton. Prior to its announcement, banks ranked No. 3 in the country, according to 247Sports Recruiter Rankings. He has also recruited prospects as four-star recipients Agiye Hall and Christian Leary, four-star linebacker Kendrick Blackshireand four-star quarterback Jalen Milroe.
Initially, it was not clear whether Bama would run back in the 2021 cycle, given that the program signed three backs in 2021, but Wheaton has always been considered too high a level of a talent to reject.
At 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, Wheaton is rated as the No. 2 runner back and No. 26 overall player in the country per. Industry-Generated 247Sports Composite Rankings.
Here is 247Sports evaluation of Wheaton:
“Sees every bit of the specified size with prototypical backback build. Lightly darkens 200 pound plateau and should of course maintain athletics at a higher weight. Great playback with outstanding top-end speeds verified in track environment (10.6 as second year). Showed improved short-range fluidity in the junior season. Shows sufficient agility in the hole to make an initial move to make the first defender miss. Open-field gallops that are not run from behind. At its best as a north-south hole puncher with game-breaking speed in the open field, but flashing that also encourages one-cut ability. Respectable production, but the number is not amazing. Limited opportunities for passport capture. Gets happy at times. First-class agility improves, but does not tighten at the second level (although it is usually not necessary). Gears down slightly as you change direction. Big-play threat at every touch and is among the nation’s best prospects in 2021 with long-term early round NFL draft ceilings. ”
Alabama probably ranked No. 1 in the 2021 class on Early Signing Day. The addition of Wheaton essentially guarantees that the tide will not be caught no matter how the rest of the cycle goes.
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