Kirkwood's Alton picks Mizzou – STLtoday.com
COLUMBIA, Mo. • Kirkwood’s Jerod Alton picked up an offer from Missouri on Monday and didn’t waste any time deciding where he wants to play next year. Alton announced on Twitter Tuesday night that he’s committed to Mizzou. He later confirmed the decision while driving back from Columbia with his parents.
“My family felt really comfortable,” he said after taking an unofficial campus visit. “They really like the campus and everything, but the biggest part was they really enjoy the coaches and all their questions were answered about my safety as a player being there and my equal opportunity to play there.”
Alton, a star running back at Kirkwood, said Missouri is recruiting him as an athlete, leaving open the possibility that he could play slot receiver or cornerback. He was a second-team Suburban XII South Conference running back last season, rushing for 943 yards and seven touchdowns. He also caught 20 passes for 278 yards and two scores and had 24 tackles on defense with two interceptions.
“I prefer to play in the slot,” he said. “But if they need to me play DB, I will.”
Alton, listed as 5-10 and 179 pounds on his hudl.com profile, said his other top choices have been Illinois and Ball State. He also holds offers from Arkansas State, Iowa and Syracuse.
Alton said he didn’t necessarily want to decide on a college choice before his senior season began, but added, “Mizzou is the offer I just couldn’t pass up. I couldn’t risk having it taken away.”
Should he stick with his commitment, Alton would be Missouri’s first signee from Kirkwood since All-American receiver/return specialist Jeremy Maclin, who played for the Tigers in 2007-08.
Verbal commitments are non-binding. High school seniors can sign their national letters of intent beginning the first Wednesday of February.
Alton gives Mizzou 13 pledges for the 2016 class:
Jerod Alton, WR/CB, St. Louis (Kirkwood HS)
Ca’Ron Baham, WR, Marrero, La. (John Ehret HS)
Trey Baldwin, LB, Houston, Texas (Cypress-Falls HS)
Bryce Banks, DB, Columbia, Mo., (Rock Bridge HS)
Trystan Castillo, OL, Webb City, Mo. (Webb City HS)
Christian Holmes, DB, Atlanta, Ga. (McNair HS)
Tobias Little, LB, Atlanta, Ga. (Mays HS)
Tucker McCann, PK, O’Fallon, Ill. (O’Fallon HS)
Royce Newman, OL, Nashville, Ill. (Nashville HS)
Mackenzie Nworah, OL, Manvel, Texas (Manvel, HS)
Nate Strong, RB, East St. Louis HS/Hinds, Miss., Community College
Greg Taylor, S, East St. Louis HS/Hinds, Miss., Community College
Tre Williams, DE, Columbia, Mo. (Rock Bridge HS)
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