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DEL.ICIO.USIt’s Alabama for Jonesboro lineman
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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After mulling over offers from two SEC programs, Jonesboro offensive tackle Darius McKeller accepted a scholarship offer from Alabama earlier today.
“I think he was torn the entire time between Mississippi State and Alabama,” Jonesboro coach Clint Satterfield said. “But I think he pretty much knew the whole time he was going to Alabama.
“But he delayed the decision because he has so much respect for [Mississippi State] coach Sylvester Croom.
“I think he likes coach Croom a lot. But I think Alabama is where he dreamed of playing.”
The 6-foot-6, 290-pound McKeller, the son of former Buffalo Bills tight end Keith McKeller, has reached lofty heights despite playing just two years of organized football.
“He’s only 16 and is very agile and nimble for a guy that size,” Satterfield said. “His strength is pass blocking.
“But if you ask him to run block, it’s not hard for him to do that either.”
McKeller made his commitment to the Crimson Tide official Wednesday morning.
“He came down and we called coach [Nick] Saban’s office,” Satterfield said. “He told him ‘coach, I decided I want to play at Alabama.”
Permalink | Comments (14) | Post your comment | Categories: Alabama
Comments
By Arrow Smith
April 23, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this
Great addition to an already talented 2008 class. Does Coach Saban ever stop.
By Dawg4Life
April 24, 2008 7:01 AM | Link to this
If there is ever a year for schools like Alabama, Auburn, and LSU to get recruits out of the state of Georgia it is this year. With UGA only having roughly 15-18 scholarships to offer, they are going to have to pick and choose very carefully. Congrats to Darius for the big step forward in his life and best wishes. Now if the Dogs can just add Aaron Murray today… GO DAWGS
By Dawg4Life
April 24, 2008 7:04 AM | Link to this
If there is ever a year for schools like Alabama, Auburn, and LSU to get recruits out of the state of Georgia it is this year. With UGA only having roughly 15-18 scholarships to offer, they are going to have to pick and choose very carefully. Congrats to Darius for the big step forward in his life and best wishes. Now if the Dogs can just add Aaron Murray today… GO DAWGS
By Jeremy
April 24, 2008 7:10 AM | Link to this
Well, Coach Saban offered over 100 kids last year. He managed to only sign 3 more than he had scholarships for. Every signee that I have read about was promised immediate playing time. I guess Alabama will be starting 22 freshman next year or Coach Saban lies to say whatever it takes to get a kid to Alabama.
By chris
April 24, 2008 8:10 AM | Link to this
hey jeremy,how many inches has your nose grown since you wrote these LIES re; coach Saban?!
By chris
April 24, 2008 8:25 AM | Link to this
oh by the way,welcome aboard mr. McKeller! ROLL TIDE!!!
By SecIsFootball
April 24, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this
Dawg4Life…That is very true. With the numbers UGA has plus with not as much talent in the state of AL as we had last year, it is an ideal year to try to get talent from GA. We have gotten 2 OL from GA which is a position we are recruiting heavily this year and I am sure were going after a few others.
Jeremy…you are a moron for those comments. Saban doesn’t have to like to sell Alabama to recruits anymore than Richt does at UGA. He didn’t promise playing time but I am sure he mentioned it was available which is not exactly what I would call a lie! Get a clue!!!
By Bamafan
April 24, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this
Welcome Darius to the Crimson Tide family. Saban is recruiting Georgia hard this year. Good luck this season playing your senior season!! ROLL TIDE!!
By capstone1
April 24, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this
You will not regret joining the BAMA nation…..We all look forward to seeing you in T-Town….ROLL TIDE!!!!
By Stephen
April 24, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this
Secisfootball: I think Jeremy was stating the truth. If you ever read Rivals or Scout about these recruits, then you would know. It does seem every recruit is quoted as saying that they could play immediately. Also, if you stay on these blogs, you would know that “Jeremy” isn’t a UGA guy….he is a redneck UT fan. Good luck Darius!
By Rev. Smith
April 24, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this
FYI. Parents and recruits read blogs/message boards. Please remember that these are still kids. Please be kind when expressing your opinions. Keep on topic about football and not take personal shots at the recruits decision. My son was offered by several schools including Georgia and Auburn. He passed on both because of the mean-spirited attacks toward recruits on their message boards. My granny used to say, “if you have nothing nice to say, say NOTHING at all.” Have a wonderful day everyone and best wishes to the recruits and their families.
By SecIsFootball
April 24, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this
Stephen…while I agree with you that our commits talk about playing time, I have yet to read as single quote about being promised playing time. Everyone knows PT is available at UA, especially at LB, DL and WR. The only comments I have seen from our commitments is that there is an OPPORTUNITY to play early and they were promised an chance to COMPETE for it. All coaches say that to there players because no superstar wants to be recruited by a team being told he will be redshirted? I would bet Richt told AJ Green he would have the chance to compete for a spot on the field. That is no different than what Saban is doing at UA!
By Got 12?
April 24, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this
As Rev. Smith stated, recruits and parents read blogs. I may be jumping to a huge conclusion here, but I’m sure they also watch football games. Anyone who has watched a recent Bama game, listened to the game’s commentators, read an article about Bama football or heard Saban’s own comments knows that Bama currently has talent and depth issues. Logically, a recruit feels he can compete for and get playing time in Tuscaloosa right now. Recruits don’t have to be told that by recruiters. RTR
By Got 12?
April 24, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this
As Rev. Smith stated, recruits and parents read blogs. I may be jumping to a huge conclusion here, but I’m sure they also watch football games. Anyone who has watched a recent Bama game, listened to the game’s commentators, read an article about Bama football or heard Saban’s own comments knows that Bama currently has talent and depth issues. Logically, a recruit feels he can compete for and get playing time in Tuscaloosa right now. Recruits don’t have to be told that by recruiters. RTR