After national all-star game, USC football commit Alex Huntley outlines what’s next
Playing in the All-American Bowl is an experience Alex Huntley won’t forget, even though he wasn’t at 100 percent.
The Hammond defensive tackle and South Carolina commit had a bout of the flu before going against some of the top players in the country at the All-American Bowl last week. Huntley lost about 15 pounds because of the illness but was full-go in practice and in the game.
Huntley tackled Stanford signee Casey Filkins on the game’s final play.
“I played the game at like 275 pounds. I probably haven’t done that since freshman year. I thought I was much better than expected,” Huntley said Friday night after Hammond’s basketball game. “I got out there and competed. I still had the speed and power moves like that.”
Huntley said he enjoyed everything about playing in the All-American Bowl, especially getting to compete against some of the nation’s best players.
“My biggest thing is where I am against the competition because that is what I am going to see for the next couple years,” Huntley said. “So just learn how to compete and how to keep going.”
Since returning from Texas, Huntley is working his way into basketball shape and getting back in the weight room. He is reserve forward for the Skyhawks and had two points in Friday’s 49-44 loss to rival Cardinal Newman.
Huntley, a four-star prospect, committed to South Carolina in June but he and teammate Jordan Burch didn’t sign their letters of intent with the Gamecocks during the early signing period. The next football signing period begins Feb. 5 when Huntley, Burch and their Hammond teammates will sign with their colleges.
Huntley took an official visit to Virginia last month and Georgia is continuing to show interest. During interviews at the All-American Bowl, Huntley told reporters he would likely take an official visit to Georgia. He said Friday night that he wasn’t sure if he was going to take any more visits.
USC is coming off a 4-8 season and has had a busy offseason with changes on the offensive side of the ball. Mike Bobo was named the offensive coordinator and Joe Cox is the new tight ends coach. Paul Jackson also was named strength and conditioning coach.
“I have complete trust in coach Muschamp,” Huntley said. “I don’t know much about the offensive side but I have heard great things about strength coach. I am excited.”
