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Mississippi ends Alabama's 7 year win streak in High School Football All-Star Classic - Observat

By Drew Champlin | dchamplin@al.com

Hattiesburg, MS

Mississippi ended Alabama's seven-year win streak with a 28-21 win over Alabama on Saturday in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic in Hattiesburg, Miss.

After seeing practices on both sides throughout the week, here are some game observations:

* The matchups I thought would cause problems for Alabama were what ended with Mississippi winning the game. Basically, co-MVPs A.J. Brown and D.K. Metcalf (Ole Miss commit) were unguardable. Each topped 100 yards receiving and each caught two touchdown passes.

A.J. Brown compared by Nick Saban to this NFL star

A.J. Brown couldn't believe it, but had to listen to the words coming from Nick Saban's mouth.

But, you can argue also that Mississippi's best player was defensive end Jeffery Simmons, as the elite recruit lived in the backfield and batted down some passes as well.

Check out all recruiting-related coverage from the week

* Alabama linebacker Ben Davis had a 72-yard interception return on the first series and was Alabama's MVP. The five-star showed why he's got a chance to be a special player and would have been even more active if inside linebackers were allowed to blitz.

How close is Alabama to being Ben Davis' top school?

Ben Davis made waves when he listed his current No. 1 school and it wasn't Alabama.

Of the other Alabama five-star recruits, Auburn commit Marlon Davidson was a lot more noticeable in the second half (may have been getting doubled in the first) and uncommitted Lyndell Wilson battled through a bruised shoulder early in the game, but showed great lateral speed and instincts.

* Nobody could cover Brown, though. Auburn commit John Broussard and uncommitted recruit P.J. Hall each got beaten on certain plays. Broussard may be a better nickel or safety at the next level, as he's indicated before. Hall did make some nice plays, including a pair of interceptions.

* Hoover linebacker Jeremiah Moon was all over the place for Alabama. Florida is getting a good one and how his body develops while putting on weight will determine his success at the next level.

* Mississippi cornerback Nigel Knott is an explosive player. Tyler Johnston put a nice ball just over his reach to T.J. Simmons for a touchdown, but that was about the only play he got "beat" on. He is also electric returning kicks and could be another Cyrus Jones type, if he commits to Alabama, and Alabama feels good about getting him.

Alabama appeals to Nigel Knott

One of the top cornerbacks in the country is enticed by the idea of Alabama coach Nick Saban coaching his position.

Knott knocked a pass out of Xavier Lane's hands and on the next play, Mississippi's Zaire Jones had an interception.

* T.J. Simmons, the Alabama commit, caught two touchdown passes and was Alabama's top receiver. Didn't see much of Velus Jones, the current USC commit, after he dropped a touchdown pass in the first half, but he looked good in practice this week. Xavier Lane got plenty of targets. He said he's got a Troy official visit set in January.

Elite DE Jeffery Simmons still looking at Alabama, Auburn

The Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic is loaded with talented defensive linemen, but Noxubee County (Miss.) standout Jeffery Simmons might be the best of the bunch.

* John Garcia of Scout.com has always been high on Opelika's Charlie Benton and I am as well, from seeing him in a game this season and making a few plays today. He'll be an all-conference player, likely at Middle Tennessee, before his college career is done.

* This was actually the first game Tyler Johnston, the UAB commit, has lost as a starter. I didn't expect him to play much as he suffered an elbow injury in the playoffs, but he just didn't take many practice reps to save some throws. Alabama only had one good offensive drive, led by Johnston, until late in the game when Ty Pigrome led one down the field before it was too little, too late.

* Both defensive lines were very good. Attention to Davidson and Simmons meant Alabama commit Quinnen Williams got in the backfield for Alabama and Mississippi standouts Benito Jones (Ole Miss commit) and Raekwon Davis (Alabama commit, but for how long?) made plays.

Miss the game? Go watch here.

Check out some big plays, though.

**Ben Davis' interception return for a touchdown.

**T.J. Simmons' second touchdown reception

**Jeffery Simmons with a big TFL late in the game.

**A.J. Brown's second touchdown reception

Link to video highlights and more:


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