There has been a pipeline of elite wide receivers from South Florida to Alabama. Among them are the Oakland Raiders’ Amari Cooper and current Alabama star Calvin Ridley.
Jerry Jeudy is next in that line, and one thing all three have in common on their way from high school to Tuscaloosa is an appearance in the Under Armour All-America Game. Cooper played in 2012, Ridey in 2015 and Jeudy will play in 2017.
Jeudy received his honorary jersey Tuesday as the Selection Tour presented by American Family Insurance came to Deerfield Beach for a ceremony with family, friends and teammates.
“I feel like I can do the same things Calvin Ridley and Amari Cooper have done,” Jeudy said. “Both played in the Under Armour All-American Game. Both had special seasons at Alabama and I feel like I can do the same.”
Jeudy, the No. 3 wide receiver in the class according to ESPN.com, committed to Alabama in late July. He has yet to take an official visit to campus, but is looking forward to getting there. For now, he watches from afar.
“I follow them closely,” he said. “I watch every game and I could see myself in there. I watch how they use their receivers in the game and see how I can make a difference.”
Deerfield Beach is 4-1 and Jeudy has nine touchdowns in five games after posting 10 last season.
Asked what separates him from other receivers, he says, “I feel like my yards after the catch, my ability to locate the ball at a high angle, my speed, my route running. I know how to get away from DBs.”
And he doesn’t care who those DBs are.
“Whoever they step in front of me, I gotta do what I gotta do,” he said. “You have to prove that you are the best and go out and compete.”