Thank You

Every Tide Fan Knows Brodie Croyle,

Kenneth Darby, Freddie Roach, LeRon McClain, Tyrone Prothro as well as many other of the Blue Chip stars that make up the Crimson Tide 2005 Football Roster.

What some people do not realize however is that there is a group of Young Men - ALSO student Athletes that are a MAJOR part of the reason that the 2005 Crimson Tide team went 9 - 2 This year.

I am not talking about the coaches, or the Assistants.

No I am Talking about the Practice Squad. They are made up of mostly Walk On's that turned down FULL RIDE SCHOLARSHIP offers to DIV II schools to try and live out their dream to play for the Tide.

Some of their names have become "Known" Such As Matt Collins, Rudy Griffin, and Matt Miller - who have all made it into a game at the Capstone this year. Some Student Athletes Like Theo Townsend, and Reyn Willis are still hoping for their chance to run out of that Tunnell at Bryant Denny to the roar of 81,000 fans cheering them on.

All of these Young Men have attended practice and classes. They were there back in the summer and winter paying there "dues" in Coach Johnston's "Lower GYM". They have all given a lot - to the Tide. Without their hard work us BAMA fans would not be looking at a 9 -2 Season. I hope they all get to play at some time this year. I hope they all turn into a Matt Collins or Matt Miller. So during the bowl game when you are cheering on Your Tide - Say a little thank you to the MEN standing in the Shadows. They also deserve some credit and recognition.

Here is a email I received some time ago from a father of a Walk ON at Alabama.

~~~~~~~~~~email / Edited to remove names ~~~~~~~~~~

My son is also on the Alabama team. He is walk-on offensive lineman. He was not highly recruited out of High School but his coaches insisted that He could play at the next level. He was very dissapointed when no scholarship offers came. By word of mouth the Alabama staff found out that He was not offered so they invited him to walk on last year.

The Freshman year was tough on him only dressing for a few games and going through the same grueling practices and off season workouts as the scholarshiped players. During the off season, He was offered several scholarships to D-1AA an D-2 schools. He turned them down to come back to Alabama when he learned he would again be in the 105 and just for the chance play there.

This has effected his family as it has really become a financial hardship on us to keep him there. Especially considering the fact that he could have had his education totally paid for. But we will do what it takes to help him make his dream a reality.

He is one of the hardest working kids I have ever seen. All he wants is a chance. The tough reality of being a Walk-on has really been tough on him and his family. He is Never mentioned as being in the mix for playing time. He is Never mentioned when he gets reps in practice. And he was not even mentioned when he was injured last year. But he still shows up everyday hoping for an opportunity to compete.

I talk to him everyday after practice. He loves it at Alabama. He loves the staff and his teammates. But some days it is hard for us to stay positive.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~end of email

Scout Team Members and Walk On Student Athletes.

NOTE: If I have left someone off or did not spell a name right please email me so I can correct it.

Jeffrey Aul
P.J. Fitzgerald
Andrew Friedman
Vic Horn
Rashad Johnson
Jeremy Schatz
Kyle Bennett
Theo Townsend
David Steakley
Justin Ballard
Kenneth Vandervoort
Ryan Saxby
Barrett Earnest
Will Denniston
Drew Lane
Reyn Willis
Bryan Kilpatrick
Ryan Morrow
Justin Johnson
Morgan Garner
Luke Spaulding
Al Jefferson
Stephen Kulback
Darwin Salaam
Forress Rayford
Daniel Wood

Happy Thanksgiving

Clay