Zion Coger’s rise has been hard to miss, and now it shows up in the rankings too.
The Jasper High School running back, a 6-foot, 190-pound junior, made the biggest leap in the updated AL.com Best in Bama list, climbing from unranked all the way to No. 32. It’s the latest sign that one of Alabama’s most explosive young backs is turning early production into serious recruiting buzz.
Coger’s profile was already getting attention well beyond Jasper. As a freshman and sophomore, he averaged 13.6 yards per carry, a stretch of limited work that still managed to draw national interest from programs including USC, national champion Indiana, Ohio State, South Carolina, Florida State and LSU. That kind of list put him squarely on the radar in Alabama too, with major schools only about three hours away.
He’s backed up that reputation with a strong start to his junior year. In Jasper’s 28-14 win over Huntsville High in last week’s season opener, Coger came through in multiple ways.
With the game tied in the fourth quarter, he grabbed a long reception that helped set up the go-ahead score. Then he flipped the game completely in Jasper’s favor by returning an interception for a touchdown from his linebacker spot on the next possession.
By the end of the night, Coger had 15 carries for 55 yards, four catches for 71 yards and the defensive score.
Coger isn’t the only player moving up in the latest Best in Bama update. Central-Phenix City sophomore wide receiver Braylen Averett moved from No. 30 to 27, while Mae Jemison junior offensive lineman Samuel Bailey jumped from No. 36 to 28.
His addition also changes the shape of the list a bit. There are now 16 juniors included in Best in Bama, and Coger is one of just two running backs in the top 50.
At the top, St. Michael Catholic senior quarterback Gunner Rivers remains No.
- Rivers was impressive in two drives before suffering a knee injury in the Cardinals’ opener against Battle Ground Academy from Tennessee.
The injury is not expected to be season-ending.
The latest rankings also include a broad look at the board by class, college commitment, high school and position. The list breaks down to 16 juniors, two sophomores and three freshmen.
On the commitment side, Alabama and Auburn each have five players represented, followed by Oklahoma, Texas, Miami, Arkansas and Georgia Tech with two apiece. The remaining commitments are spread across North Carolina State, Ohio State, Oregon, Florida, West Virginia, Clemson, Ole Miss, Kentucky, Baylor, Virginia Tech and South Carolina, with 19 players still uncommitted.
Thompson leads all high schools with five players in the rankings, followed by Williamson with four. Prattville and Spain Park each have three, while Benjamin Russell, Saraland, Central-Phenix City, Vigor, Mae Jemison and Selma each have two.
The rest of the list is spread across a long group of schools, including St. Michael Catholic, Maplesville, Ramsay, Huntsville, Bessemer City, Dothan, Plainview, Orange Beach, Arab, McGill-Toolen, Wetumpka, Gulf Shores, Parker, Jasper, Daphne, Clay-Chalkville, Auburn, Central-Tuscaloosa, Montgomery Academy, Gadsden City, Talladega, Pleasant Valley and Oxford.
By position, defensive line leads the way with 14 players. Wide receiver follows with eight, while quarterback and defensive back each have seven. Offensive line has five, linebacker has four, tight end has three, and running back is one of the smallest groups with just two players in the rankings.
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