Funny, I'm in the polar opposite boat. He seems a step slower and runs like a girl now!
In all honesty, I'm frustrated but wish him well. He probably opens camp as your #2 guy. Hart won't be the same for another year and Trent is gone (opinion, of course).
His flip really only hurts us if Dyer doesn't remove his head from his own anus. If he comes back, obviously Dyer is our #1 with Tre Mason filling the #2 slot (assuming McCalebb stupidly goes pro). Then Grant and Blakely are eligible next year and we still have Jovon Robinson. Grant and Blakely looked good on scout team (but honestly, our starting D may be more to blame). Blakely looked great coming out of HS and is built like an every down back. Grant supposedly put on some muscle. I'm not saying that Yeldon couldn't get PT with us but the carries get cut down when you're trying to play that many backs. (I know you guys have several backs, I will explain in the next paragraph)
Bama's last two starters have ended up in New York and if he's able to knock off the incumbents and become the #2 back, he will get a good amount of carries. Saban generally doesn't go past his #2 back until late and he rotates between #1 and #2 generously. At least while Malzahn called the plays, we would often rotate through 3-4 backs.
Bama is probably a better move for him from a PT perspective and your o-line is not the unknown ours is heading into next season. You'll have a returning starter at QB and minimal change in offensive philosophy, regardless of who you end up hiring. Probably opening next season in the top 10. It isn't like he bailed on us to go to Ole Miss.
The ONLY thing that irritates me about this is that up until his coach announced it, he was telling everyone he was solid to AU. Generally when kids start to waiver they either disappear or their word choice changes (i.e. "as of now, I'm solid"). He told Chizik late last week he was still on board an enrolling in January, then two days later announces Bama. Kids changing their mind happens all the time and is part of "the game" when it comes to recruiting. This is the first I've heard a kid tell a coach he is 100% committed and two days later announces otherwise.
But, ya win some and lose some. He's a big pick-up for you guys given that Trent may be a top 15 pick and Hart still needs more time to really get that knee back to it's old state. Being cleared to run and such isn't that big of a deal. It'll be a while before he's confident on it again.
. I do think he'll have a good shot at #2 (just because it seems like Saban likes to put a younger guy at #2 to get them ready for when #1 opens up). And I don't think you have to write opinion about Trent being gone (I take it for fact that he is unless Trent says otherwise). I'm interested to see how things go with Hart next season (what type of roll he has and how much he plays).
