Alabama-Mississippi Thursday Notes

MONTGOMERY, ALA. -- In the world of college football recruiting, Reuben Foster and Dee Liner are two of the biggest names in the entire country.

Kent Flowers doesn't keep track of recruiting.

Foster, of Auburn (Ala.), is a five-star prospect and the No. 1 inside linebacker recruit nationally. Liner is a four-star defensive tackle and top-100 recruit from Muscle Shoals (Ala.).

Both are competing in this week's Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic. So are a lot of other well-known prospects, many of whom are competing for Team Alabama.

But as shocking as this might sound, one of the top players for Team Mississippi said Thursday he didn't know a thing about the opposition. Not even their names.

"I don't know any of them," said Kent Flowers, a Mississippi State offensive tackle commit from Hollandale (Miss.).

A teammate of Flowers, offensive lineman Jake Thomas of Columbus (Miss.), also a Bulldogs commit, said he had "heard the name Reuben Foster" but that was about it.

Because they know little about the individuals for Team Alabama, Flowers and Thomas probably won't be too intimidated come kickoff on Saturday.

"We feel like we've been going up against the best all week," Thomas said. "We've got guys like Chris Jones and Dylan Bradley on the defensive line."

One Team Mississippi offensive lineman -- Deon Mix of Batesville (Miss.) South Panola -- not only knows who Liner is, he knows him fairly well. The two competed together last summer at the Rivals Five-Star Challenge in Atlanta. That's the one player Mix really looks forward to facing in Saturday's game.

"We didn't get to go up against each other [in Atlanta]," Mix said. "We were on the same team. We were real tight when we were down there. He's an incredible player and we're both cut-ups so of course we got along."

Mix, a Mississippi State commit, "tweaked his knee" earlier in the week, but expects to be healthy enough to play Saturday. He has practiced at guard, tackle and even some tight end this week. At times, he should be lined up against Liner, an Auburn commit, in the game.

"You gotta be physical," Mix said. "He's a physical guy. And he's quick."

QUICK HITTERS

*Four-star Mississippi State running back commit Kailo Moore of Rosedale (Miss.) West Bolivar missed Wednesday afternoon's practice with a groin injury sustained in the morning. Actually, Moore said the injury occurred several weeks ago during the playoffs, and it was actually tweaked Wednesday. He was back practicing Thursday, and while somewhat limited did some nice things.

"I've been fighting through it," Moore said. "I injured it about three weeks ago and then it healed up. But I hurt it again. Right now, I'm real sore but the rehabbing helped. I'm probably about 20 percent today. It affects me running. Every time I bring my leg forward."

Will Moore be able to play in this week's game?

"I believe so," Moore said. "I don't think I'll be a hundred percent Saturday, but I'll come out."

*Minnesota defensive backs coach Jay Sawvel attended the Thursday morning Team Alabama practice. Gophers commit Nate Andrews of Fairhope (Ala.) is on that squad. Andrews is listed by most as being a receiver, but this week he'll play receiver and defensive back. At Minnesota, there's a good chance he will start his career at cornerback. Andrews had arguably the catch of the week Thursday, when he hauled in an over-the-shoulder 40-yard reception in the end zone.

*Offensive tackle Cameron Fraser of Phenix City (Ala.) Central, a South Florida commit, expects to meet with a Bulls coach (or coaches) from the new staff for the first time next week. In the meantime, he said he speaks fairly often with Auburn and Mississippi State. "I talk to Auburn every Friday and Saturday," Fraser said. Fraser thinks that Mississippi State might be close to offering. Admittedly, though, he thought the same thing last summer after a strong showing at a camp in Starkville. Fraser expects the Bulldogs to have staff at Saturday's game.

*Florida State athlete commit Marquez White of Dothan (Ala.) Northview, who is playing defensive back this week, was asked Thursday which receiver he has been most impressed with. His answer: Auburn commit Earnest Robinson of Pinson Valley (Ala.). "He's big and strong, tall and has good hands," White said. White, by the way, had two picks during seven-on-seven drills Thursday.

*Liner, who is playing end this week, said the one major program he never heard from during the recruiting process is Oregon.

*Mississippi State cornerback commit Gabe Myles, a product of Starkville (Miss.), not only is playing defensive back this week, but he also has been taking some snaps at quarterback. That's a position he knows well, having played it all season in leading his team to the 5A state championship.

*Officer Leroy Manigault, who has security detail this week for Team Alabama, played at Alabama State a decade ago.