3-star offensive lineman Joseph Ionata signs with Alabama
The Florida native has been on campus since Dec. 16 practicing with the team
Three-star interior offensive lineman Joseph Ionata (Clearwater, FL) officially signed his National Letter of Intent alongside several other commits in Tuscaloosa on Wednesday morning. Ionata has been on campus since Dec. 16 to participate in Rose Bowl prep
What Ionata has said about Alabama
“I know a lot of people, obviously and me included, go play football at Alabama for Nick Saban. But I think just having the opportunity to be coached by coach Wolf is just unbelievably underestimated and such a blessing. Just our relationship off the bat. He’s such a great person, such a great Christian man, great leader, great father. I really do think he is going to develop me so much off the field along with him being, in my opinion, the best offensive line coach in the nation.”
Stats
Ionata started primarily at left tackle for a Calvary Christian team that averaged 150 rushing yards per game.
Ranking: 4-star, No. 9 safety, No. 102 overall
What Woodyard said about Alabama: “I’m very excited about going to Bama and I love how they have been playing. Jalen (Milroe) has been balling out. The defense is playing great.”
Scouting report via Greg Biggins: “Natural safety who does everything well. Plays in a defense where he’s asked to cover and play run support and does both very well. Shows good range and covers a lot of ground on the back end. He’s a plus athlete who runs well and makes plays sideline to sideline. He’s a solid tackler and will fly off the hash in run support and does a nice job wrapping up and rarely misses in a one on one situation. Natural leader and well respected by his peers. Tremendous off the field work ethic and a future captain at the next level. Also plays baseball but will focus on football in college.”
What Alabama’s getting in Woodyard: Originally committed to Georgia, Woodyard looks like a future major contributor for the Crimson Tide. At 6-foot-2, 188-pounds, Woodyard has the size and attitude to join Alabama super freshman Caleb Downs in patrolling the secondary for Alabama. He is a good tackler and has a high ceiling once he gets some time working with defensive backs guru Nick Saban.