Big, Physical WR Agiye Hall Headed to Alabama
One of the most coveted wide receiver prospects in the country has come off the board.
Valrico (Fla.) Bloomingdale rising senior recruit Agiye Hall, who starred his first three prep seasons at regional power Seffner (Fla.) Armwood High School, announced a commitment to the University of Alabama via Instagram.
"About three days ago I knew it when I had a conversation with Coach Nick Saban," he told SI All-American. "I feel really, really good. A lot of stress just came off my shoulders."
After announcing a departure from Armwood High in January, Hall enrolled at IMG Academy before switching over to Bloomingdale of late. He is aware of the perception the movement creates and admits it's part of the reason he picked the Crimson Tide program and its leader in Saban.
"I've had a rough high school career and I know he's developed a lot of players there through the NFL," he said. "In high school I've been to a couple of schools, it looks pretty bad. I couldn't really find the perfect fit for me and it kind of hurt me by showing people I can't commit to things.
"I'm trying to get that target off my back and I know for a fact Alabama can help me remove that target with my decision-making, stability and how to deal with different type of things."
One of the connections Hall had to Alabama's program of late was a fellow Armwood product in former player Jerome Ford. Despite having departed UA for Cincinnati in January, the running back continued to sell the program to the newest 'Bama pledge.
One of my friends, Rome, went there as a running back," Hall said. "He got better. When he got there I started following his advice because he's never let me down. I found out Alabama is going to do whatever they have to do to develop me on and off of the field."
"He was not throwing any dirt, he was just telling me how good of a program it is. It says a lot about Coach Saban, how honest and hard-working the program is. It helps me view that program and says a lot about all of the coaches and the positive things there."
The 6-foot-3, 195-pound specimen has reeled in 17 touchdowns over the past two seasons while shining each offseason with individual performances at camps and during 7-on-7 play. The combination earned him a spot in the 2021 Under Armour All-America Game.
Two UAAAG alumni, among others, shined at Alabama at the wide receiver position and Hall sees some similarities to their game.
"I've been watching Calvin Ridley and Julio Jones, a lot of people compare me to those two," he said. "I saw how they progressed and helped the Alabama offense and I feel like I'm going to be the same.
"! also talked to commits like Javon (Baker) and Traeshon (Holden) and they're excited as well."
Hall picked Alabama over LSU, Georgia, Arizona State and others, though he did not make the call from a certain top group, he says.
During the novel coronavirus, he admits his recruitment flipped from a purple and gold tone to that of crimson and white. It turns out Saban's staff was hardest after Hall's commitment.
"The feeling with Alabama got better and better," he said. "I'm thinking a little bit harder about the situation that I've been in, like all the great things recruiting has brought me. I know this is the best decision for me.
"They pushed the most. It was many coaches via text, FaceTime, Zoom meetings, stuff like that. Coach (Holmon) Wiggins likes how I can spread the offense, spread out the defenses, catch everything. My body style is something they like as well as my IQ on the field."
While the nature of Hall's commitment is still up in the air when it comes to considering other programs down the line, he will be wearing his recruiting hat in the short term and has a fellow in-state and class of 2021 target in mind first.
"I'm going to try to get other people to Alabama, definitely," he said with a laugh. "My friend Christian Leary from Edgewater, that's the first one.
"Roll Tide!"
BamaCentral.com will have more on this breaking news.
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