Recruiting update: Piedmont star commits to Jacksonville State, other news
One of Calhoun County’s top football prospects will be staying close to home.
Piedmont High wide receiver Rollie Pinto has committed to Jacksonville State, he announced on social media Wednesday.
Pinto picked the Gamecocks over other offers that include UAB, Kennesaw State, Navy, North Alabama, Samford and West Alabama.
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Last season, Pinto finished with an AHSAA-record 1,826 receiving yards for the Bulldogs while hauling in 22 touchdowns for the Bulldogs, while also running for 428 yards and four touchdowns.
He was a first team all-state pick in Class 3A and a finalist for the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s Class 3A Back of the Year award.
Along with his single-season receiving record, Pinto tied for second in the single-game receiving record with 20 during a 34-27 victory over Class 4A runner-up Cherokee County last season that saw him log 250 yards and three touchdowns.
Piedmont finished last season 13-1 and made its ninth semifinal appearance in 10 seasons before falling to eventual Class 3A state champion Mars Hill Bible.
In other recruiting news:
COMMITMENTS
Dale County tight end/athlete Andrevius Smith Jr. also committed to Jacksonville State, announcing his choice on Saturday. He picked the in-state Gamecocks over a final list that also included North Alabama, Liberty and Mercer.
OFFERS
Thompson QB Trent Seaborn announced an offer from Clemson.
The 6-1, 180-pound 4-star junior has also been offered by most SEC school, including Alabama and Auburn, along with Miami, Oregon, Washington and more.
Two Mary G. Montgomery players announced recruiting news. Devin Pettway has narrowed his list to three schools while Kaleb Morris picked up an offer.
The 6-2, 215-pound 3-star LB Pettway, who previously committed to Jax State, will choose among the in-state Gamecocks, Louisiana or Tulane.
Morris, who earlier committed to Mississippi State, was recently offered by Miami. The 3-star 6-4, 260-pound DL also had offers from Kentucky, Georgia Tech, UAB and others.
Jaden McKenzie-Rivers of Tallassee was offered by UNA. The 5-9, 170-pound ATH also has a D1 offer from Southern Miss.
Mars Hill Bible tight end Matthew McIntyre picked up an offer from North Alabama. The 2027 prospect was a part of the Class 3A state championship team last season and also holds offers from Troy, UAB and UT Martin.
In basketball, Park Crossing’s Maliyah Meeks earned an offer from Cal State Fullerton. The 6-foot-2 power forward/center also holds offers that include Jackson State, NC Central, Sacramento State, from Florida A&M and Coppin State.
Hoover’s Aaliyah Blanchard received a Division I offer fro Tulane. The Class 7A state champion was a first team all-state pick last season with the Bucs.
Sports writer Dennis Victory contributed to this report.
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