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Five-star outside linebacker and Alabama commit VanDarius Cowan has been kicked off his high school football team. Cowan is the No. 3 outside linebacker in the 2017 recruiting class.
October 24, 2016Five-star outside linebacker and Alabama commit VanDarius Cowan has been kicked off his high school football team.
One of the highest-rated commits for Alabama is in some hot water with his high school team.
Five-star prospect VanDarius Cowan has been dismissed from the Palm Beach Gardens High School football team, according to the Palm Beach Post.
Cowan, who’s ranked as the No. 3 outside linebacker and No. 31 overall player in the 2017 recruiting class, was kicked off the team because of behavioral issues.
The 5-star recruit received two penalties and was pulled in the first quarter from Thursday night’s game against Wellington High School. Cowan proceeded to interact with fans on the sideline and eat while reportedly ignoring the game, which ended in a 12-10 loss for Palm Beach Gardens.
Bill Weed, the Palm Beach Gardens athletic director, stated that Tuesday’s ceremony for Cowan’s selection to the 2017 Army All-American Game has been canceled.
While obviously not the best headline for the talented linebacker, it is, hopefully, just a bump in the road. The Alabama coaches have assured Cowan his scholarship offer still stands. After all, he’s been one of the biggest recruiters for the Crimson Tide since flipping his commitment from Florida State in April — along with 4-star quarterback Mac Jones being the other.
Alabama currently has the No. 1 spot in the 2017 recruiting class rankings. It jumped Ohio State on Sunday after it added 4-star tight end Major Tennison, whom Cowan played a big role in helping recruit for the Tide.
Cowan is one of four high-profile linebackers currently committed to Nick Saban’s team. He’s joined by 5-star outside linebacker Dylan Moses, 4-star inside linebacker Markail Benton and 4-star JUCO inside linebacker Gary Johnson.
Note: Scout rankings and ratings used in this article.