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Alabama Football: The Sweet Sixteen Crimson Tider Early Enrollees

By Terry Tant

Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban leads his players onto the field prior to the game against the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban leads his players onto the field prior to the game against the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Alabama Football’s “Sweet Sixteen” gave up much to arrive early in hopes of earning play time in 2017.

The Sweet Sixteen – it’s a phrase that has a different meaning to different people and Alabama Football has it’s own this season.

This time of year most people think of March Madness and the Final Sweet Sixteen. There have been movies made and songs written about the coming of age number but the meaning for Alabama Football is more about sweat than sweet.

Alabama Football’s Sweet Sixteen are a few years older than the age and weigh in just as heavy as the challenges they have taken on this spring to prepare for a season with the Crimson Tide.

The sixteen early Alabama Football enrollees are:

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Mac Jones: Quarterback

Brian Robinson: Running Back

Xavier McKinney: DB

Daniel Wright: DB

Elliot Baker: OL

Isaiah Buggs: DE

Thomas Fletcher: LS

Najee Harris: RB

Jerry Jeudy: WR

Alex Leatherwood: OL

Kyriq McDonald: DB

Dylan Moses: LB

Tyrell Shavers: WR

Tua Tagovailoa: QB

Major Tennison: TE

Chadarius Townsend: RB

They are leaving their girlfriends, familis, homes and possibly their state for a chance to play football for Nick Saban.  The sacrifices are great- no senior trips, no senior prom, no graduation night and no guarantees that they will even see the field during the season.

Why would anyone make that kind of sacrifice? Simply put – they are football players. They have been playing this game as long as they can remember. They have watched their heroes on Saturdays and Sundays play it too. They have been asked to join a team that has been the most dominant football team in decades, maybe ever.

Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide players run out of the tunnel before the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game against the Clemson Tigers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

These “sweet sixteen” young men left the highlight of their senior year and enrolled early to begin “The Process” of a winter training program many players have called grueling to be champions.

In a month they will join the upperclassmen in spring training. They will go through exhausting practices for weeks, some twice a day. These sweet sixteen will eat, sleep and sweat crimson all spring for a chance to be part of the tide rolling out of the tunnel on April 22.

Some will be on the field as freshman, others will compete for the chance next season but all of them have proven that they are willing to sacrifice to be on the field with the tide rolls.

Next: Put Your Money on the Tide

If you think this sweet sixteen will see play time during the season let us know on Facebook or in the comments.

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