Before this spring, Keith Holcombe began to focus his efforts on laying the foundation for a baseball career.
But he wasn't picked during the MLB draft this week, leaving open the possibility for a return to football.
That, however, doesn't appear to be in the cards for the inside linebacker, according to Alabama coach Nick Saban.
Saban, who was at the Nick's Kids annual golf tournament in Vestavia Hills, is under the impression Holcombe will continue to give his full commitment to baseball.
Asked if he spoke with Holcombe since the draft concluded Wednesday, Saban said, "I didn't talk to him yet. I talked to him before. He wanted to continue to try to pursue his baseball career, so I haven't talked to him since that. I think he could actually come back and play another year of baseball if he chooses to do that. So, I will talk to him again, but when we had the last conversation, he was pretty much set on trying to play baseball."
In 47 games, Holcombe batted .290 with two home runs and 29 RBI after he contributed 38 tackles and one sack as a junior last season.
Saban and Holcombe met after Alabama won a national championship, and the coach told the linebacker to devote his complete attention to baseball. Holcombe did not participate in spring practice as a result.
The two planned to get together again once the baseball season concluded to determine whether he would continue his football career.
"We'd love to have him come back in the fall," Saban said in March. "I hope he chooses to do that."
But that looks like a remote possibility at this point.
Return to football seems unlikely for Alabama LB
But he wasn't picked during the MLB draft this week, leaving open the possibility for a return to football.
That, however, doesn't appear to be in the cards for the inside linebacker, according to Alabama coach Nick Saban.
Saban, who was at the Nick's Kids annual golf tournament in Vestavia Hills, is under the impression Holcombe will continue to give his full commitment to baseball.
Asked if he spoke with Holcombe since the draft concluded Wednesday, Saban said, "I didn't talk to him yet. I talked to him before. He wanted to continue to try to pursue his baseball career, so I haven't talked to him since that. I think he could actually come back and play another year of baseball if he chooses to do that. So, I will talk to him again, but when we had the last conversation, he was pretty much set on trying to play baseball."
In 47 games, Holcombe batted .290 with two home runs and 29 RBI after he contributed 38 tackles and one sack as a junior last season.
Saban and Holcombe met after Alabama won a national championship, and the coach told the linebacker to devote his complete attention to baseball. Holcombe did not participate in spring practice as a result.
The two planned to get together again once the baseball season concluded to determine whether he would continue his football career.
"We'd love to have him come back in the fall," Saban said in March. "I hope he chooses to do that."
But that looks like a remote possibility at this point.
Return to football seems unlikely for Alabama LB
