Rock Hill High School football standout commits to SEC powerhouse Alabama
A Rock Hill High School football player committed Tuesday to one of the most storied college football programs in the country.
Robbie Ouzts, a 6-foot-4, 240-pound senior tight end, announced his commitment to play for Nick Saban at Alabama via Twitter around midday Tuesday.
In the tweet, Ouzts indicated that he will graduate early from Rock Hill High and enroll at the school based in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, in the spring.
“Very excited to announce that I will be continuing my journey as a student-athlete at The University of Alabama!” he wrote. “Only through God am I able to pursue such a wonderful opportunity playing the sport that I love. Words can’t describe how thankful I am for the incredible love and support from my family, friends and coaches. I can’t wait to give my all to Rock Hill High this last semester and bring that same energy to Alabama in the spring!”
Ouzts had offers from many other Power 5 schools, including the SEC’s South Carolina and the ACC’s Syracuse. In early July, he cut his final list to Virginia Tech and Alabama.
Outzs is rated a three-star prospect and the state’s No. 8 overall recruit for 2021, according to the 247Sports Composite that factors in all networks.
Ouzts is the first player from Rock Hill High to join a Saban-led Crimson Tide team.
Rock Hill head coach Bubba Pittman told The Herald Tuesday that Alabama is getting a really good player in Ouzts.
“I think Robbie has a workman’s type of attitude, you know?” Pittman said via phone interview. “He comes to work everyday with his lunch pail ready to go. And I think that’s the philosophy of Alabama. They have a business mentality, and Robbie is attracted to that.”
As a junior, Ouzts caught 32 passes for 456 yards. He also was a forward on the Bearcats’ basketball team.
“Robbie is a different kid, man,” Pittman said. “He didn’t really seem to be starstruck when he talked to people, but definitely when he had the chance to talk to Coach Saban, I think there was a definite change in his voice and in his attitude. And he recognized how big that moment was.”
Ouzts will next be in action with his team on Sept. 25, when the Bearcats play Spring Valley at home.
The Rock Hill football team’s first day of practice will begin after school on Tuesday, which is also Rock Hill High’s first day of the 2020-21 school year.
This story was originally published September 8, 2020 at 12:43 PM.
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