🏈 Don't count out Alabama freshman quarterback Philip Ely before he gets his chance

[BAMANEWSBOT]

Alabama freshman quarterback Phillip Ely has made the most of his opportunities carving a path to Tuscaloosa.

Read More Here...

 

[TerryP]

On his flight to Birmingham, Ely began to read Warren St. John's "Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer." Some of his cousins, big Crimson Tide fans, gave him the book so he could begin studying the fanaticism tied into Alabama football.

There's one way to learn about our fanaticism, eh? Good way to start off a guys education on football and Alabama.

I did find this interesting...

I knew Ely had backed up Aaron Murry (UGA starting QB) but I didn't know he'd also worked with Marve. Granted, the Marve / Bama story isn't a "children's classic" but I can't sit here and say Marve didn't have some great coaching in HS and had a lot of talent.

 

[BamaCore]

Didn't Plant basically "ban" Alabama from recruiting there? What happened to all that?

 

[TerryP]

Didn't Plant basically "ban" Alabama from recruiting there? What happened to all that?

No, that wasn't Plant. It was St. Thomas Aquinas.

That was over two years ago, by the way. 2008 for sure, and I want to say it was November or December of that year when that came out.

It was basically a grown man acting like a spoiled, petulant child. Their AD got ticked off when we hired Saban after we fired Shula. Yes, he is from Miami but this had more to do with two of the Shula's grandchildren attending St. Thomas Aquinas than anything else.

FWIW, their AD said repeatedly "this has nothing to do with Saban, it has to do with UA." The timing couldn't have been worse...it was the same time a few SEC schools were raising hell about spring eval's by HC's and the infamous "Saban rule" about bumping into recruits.

You add all those story lines together, national pundits still yelling about salary and the Dolphins and Saban...we were coming off an undefeated regular season...perfect storm for media outlets/personnel.

 

[BamaCore]

No, that wasn't Plant. It was St. Thomas Aquinas.

That was over two years ago, by the way. 2008 for sure, and I want to say it was November or December of that year when that came out.

It was basically a grown man acting like a spoiled, petulant child. Their AD got ticked off when we hired Saban after we fired Shula. Yes, he is from Miami but this had more to do with two of the Shula's grandchildren attending St. Thomas Aquinas than anything else.

FWIW, their AD said repeatedly "this has nothing to do with Saban, it has to do with UA." The timing couldn't have been worse...it was the same time a few SEC schools were raising hell about spring eval's by HC's and the infamous "Saban rule" about bumping into recruits.

You add all those story lines together, national pundits still yelling about salary and the Dolphins and Saban...we were coming off an undefeated regular season...perfect storm for media outlets/personnel.

Ahhh, okay. I'm starting to remember now. Not sure why I thought it was Plant. Thanks for clearing that up for me Terry.

 

[TerryP]

Believe you me BC, it took a few minutes for me to put the story back together. Hell, it took me five minutes just to remember Fernando Bryant's name in another thread!!!

George Smith was the AD's name...just recalled that. I can't remember what kid was had offered though...Argo, Porter or one of the other guys might recall.

The biggest name I can think of out of Miami the last few years was a DE we had offered. Vernon, maybe? I don't think he went to St. Thomas though...I'd have to research it and I don't have the time at this point.

 

[BamaDelta]

There was a hot RB prospect a few years back, but I certainly can't remember a name or whether he ever amounted to anything as a college player.

 

[Argo]

I'm getting terrible at remembering names. I'm not sure exactly who it was we were after.

 

[TerryP]

I'm getting terrible at remembering names. I'm not sure exactly who it was we were after.

You and me both Jason...it's one of those things with me.

I'll be watching a game on Saturday, see a name and recall, "we offered him but..."