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DEL.ICIO.USNorth Gwinnett OL Austin Shepherd commits to Alabama
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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When North Gwinnett junior offensive lineman Austin Shepherd phoned Alabama coach Nick Saban and assistant coach Kirby Smart on Monday to accept a scholarship offer, part of the discussion centered on the Crimson Tide’s definition of commitment.
Saban made it clear to the 6-foot-4, 310-pound Shepherd that his commitment to Alabama includes not visiting any other schools.
“Yeah, that’s one thing coach Saban mentioned,” said Shepherd, who had previously taken visits to Alabama, Auburn, Central Florida, Florida State and UAB. “He just wanted to be certain that I’m committed to their school.
“I am 100 percent committed to Alabama and I’m not taking any more visits.” Signing day is nearly a year away.
How did Saban and Smart react to the news?
“They said they are really excited about me coming,” Shepherd said. “I just decided I wanted to get it out of the way, and Alabama is the school for me.
“The coaching staff at Alabama made the difference. The coaches there are great.”
Shepherd said his next visit to Tuscaloosa will be for the Tide’s A-Day spring game on Saturday April 18. He is projected to play guard for Alabama.
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Permalink | Comments (22) | Post your comment | Categories: Alabama
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By Someone In The Know
March 9, 2009 7:38 PM | Link to this
Alabama sent offers to every kid in Georgia, and finally one accepts.
By Bamafan
March 9, 2009 8:47 PM | Link to this
Welcome to the Crimson Tide Nation Austin!! Bama will sign several players from Georgia this year. The 2010 class in the state of Alabama is down this year and the crimson tide has to offer more players from other states this year!! GO BAMA ROLL TIDE!!
By Recruitnik
March 9, 2009 8:57 PM | Link to this
Bamafan, You guys will have to sign a lot of players from Georgia since your instate talent isn’t very good this year.
By James S.
March 9, 2009 9:07 PM | Link to this
Saban knows talent. He probably watched hours of film on this guy. I hope Richt didn’t let another one get away.
By AUTIGERS2121
March 9, 2009 9:11 PM | Link to this
Offer’s from UAB I see…woah!
By wally
March 9, 2009 9:37 PM | Link to this
stud. nasty on field
By Bama36AU0
March 9, 2009 9:39 PM | Link to this
The man has brought in the top ranked recruiting class two years in a row… I think he knows talent. Welcome Austin and good luck in T-town.
By Cornholio
March 9, 2009 9:41 PM | Link to this
BAMA went to the Dome in Saban’s second season with inferior talent that eventually got exposed at the end of the season. Last time I checked, BAMA took GA, TN, LSU, and AU to the woodshed with an offensive scheme used by the Washington Redskins when John Riggins and Joe Theisman actually mattered. I love all the Saban and BAMA haters who can’t stand the heat. All it tells me is BAMA nation is headed in the right direction. You know you don’t want to play us or UF for that matter, so talk smack now and get your asses whipped later.
By Florida Gator
March 9, 2009 9:52 PM | Link to this
Welcome to PROBATION AGAIN. Can’t win without CHEATING.
By Jim
March 9, 2009 10:13 PM | Link to this
Someone in the dark-
Poor Alabama…they can’t get a recruit. They only had 2 top National recruiting classes in a row and are shooting for a third. You must be an Auburn fan.
Congrats Austin and RTR
By Jim
March 9, 2009 10:13 PM | Link to this
Someone in the dark-
Poor Alabama…they can’t get a recruit. They only had 2 top National recruiting classes in a row and are shooting for a third. You must be an Auburn fan.
Congrats Austin and RTR
By Chris
March 9, 2009 11:31 PM | Link to this
I am a big dawg fan, but I am telling you that Alabama has got a good one here. This young man is going to be good. Congrats Austin. GO DAWGS
By RTR 1983
March 9, 2009 11:55 PM | Link to this
Welcome to T-town and Roll Tide Austin!
Big, physical, tough lineman…he’ll fit right in with Coach Saban’s philosophy. Please tell me there’s no a Barn fan from the Cow College on here talking offer lists…check your last 2 classes and then check ours Barner…hahaha
By Wise Dawg
March 10, 2009 12:05 AM | Link to this
Alabama can recruit very well. However in Georgia, Alabama doesn’t get anybody unless Mark Richt passes on them. Did Georgia offer the kid? I don’t think so. They offered his teammate, so they knew about him. Nothing against the kid personally, I wish him the best. But Alabama only gets Georgia’s scraps in this state.
By The Big Bug
March 10, 2009 12:26 AM | Link to this
This just in! Coach Richt has “pulled” his scholarship offer!
By jjbamaman
March 10, 2009 11:31 AM | Link to this
Wise Dawg, maybe most kids in GA grow up wanting to be a dawg or a yellow jacket. This kid obviously wanted to go where it would do him the most good. Just because he didn’t choose to go to your team doesn’t make him scraps. Quit showing your jealousy. Maybe he was just embarrassed by your last “blackout”.
ROLL TIDE!!!
By Ole Man Bourbon
March 10, 2009 12:45 PM | Link to this
Looks like Saban is hitting Ga pretty hard this recruiting year.
By Ole Man Bourbon
March 10, 2009 12:51 PM | Link to this
Looks like Saban is hitting Ga pretty hard this recruiting year.
By ssatterfield
March 10, 2009 4:05 PM | Link to this
I CANT BELIVE GEORGIA MISSED OUT ON THIS VERY GOOD DOWN LINEMAN WICH WE NEVER SEEM TO HAVE ENOUGH OF. THIS IS JUST WHAT GEORGIA NEEDS BIG & NASTY ATTITUDE WITH SIZETO GO WITH IT .ALSO IF IM NOT MISTAKEN HE IS ALREADY ABLE TO MEET REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRY. BEST OF LUCK AUSTIN AT ALABAMA.
By ssatterfield
March 10, 2009 4:06 PM | Link to this
I CANT BELIVE GEORGIA MISSED OUT ON THIS VERY GOOD DOWN LINEMAN WICH WE NEVER SEEM TO HAVE ENOUGH OF. THIS IS JUST WHAT GEORGIA NEEDS BIG & NASTY ATTITUDE WITH SIZE TO GO WITH IT .ALSO IF IM NOT MISTAKEN HE IS ALREADY ABLE TO MEET REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRY. BEST OF LUCK AUSTIN AT ALABAMA.
By bank walker
March 12, 2009 9:44 PM | Link to this
Alabama’s 5A ball = Georgia’s 3A The only reason bama has had the last two top classes (rivals only) is because they cater to the largest customer base, which is BOL bammer online. You’ve got to keep your customers happy and this comes from a very reliable source. Trust me bammers, they’re only spoon feeding you guys!
By SickandTired
March 15, 2009 8:23 AM | Link to this
Wow, this should be all over the headlines. This kid is the real deal and UGA has the door slammed in their face before recruiting even gets started good. Georgia, yesterdays news. The clock is ticking Marky Mark Mark,,,,,,can you hear it?