Meet the 2013 Tide Players – Luke Del Rio, Parker McLeod, and Bradley Sylve
By Ron Clark
Jan 7, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman LaMichael Fanning (44) waves a large Alabama flag to celebrate the victory over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the 2013 BCS National Championship game at Sun Life Stadium. Alabama defeats Notre Dame 42-14. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Today, we are going to look at numbers 14, 15 and 16 on the Alabama football roster.
Luke Del Rio
Most recruits do not go from being committed to a Big 12 school to announcing the decision to walk-on at a SEC school in less than a week. Luke Del Rio isn’t like most recruits, though.
In May 2012, Del Rio committed to Oklahoma State to play quarterback under offensive coordinator Todd Monken, who worked for Del Rio’s father Jack at the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The three-star recruit changed his mind on Oklahoma State when Monken took the Southern Mississippi head coaching position. A week after decommitting from Oklahoma State, Del Rio tweeted he was walking on at Alabama.
In his senior season at Valor Christian in Denver, Colorado, Del Rio passed for over 2,200 yards, 28 touchdowns and only four interceptions.
He enrolled into Alabama in January and participated in spring practice. His A-day performance impressed fans as he completed two of his three passes for 38 yards, one of which was for 31 yards.
Gil Brandt tweeted a few weeks ago that Luke was in San Diego spending time with well-respected quarterback coach George Whitfield. That trip can only help his progression as a quarterback.
Del Rio shouldn’t be expected to play in 2013 because of the three quarterbacks ahead of him, though. Del Rio will contribute to the football program as a scout teamer, backup quarterback or starting quarterback.
Parker McLeod
Parker McLeod signed with Alabama out of Walton High School in Marietta, Georgia. He doesn’t have the high ranking or popularity like other quarterbacks but does fit the mold of a Greg McElroy or recently transferred Phillip Ely.
Like Del Rio, McLeod enrolled in January in order to participate in spring practice, and his A-Day performance wasn’t bad, either. He completed one of his two passes for 19 yards.
His senior season at Walton was shortened to six games due to an injury. He threw four touchdowns and over 500 yards.
McLeod and Del Rio will speed plenty of time together in quarterback meetings and on the sideline as they watch AJ McCarron run the first team offense in 2013.
Bradley Sylve
Alabama fans went a little wild when they saw Bradley Sylve return a kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown in the 2011 Under Armour All-American game. He earned the title of fastest player at the 2011 game.
Coming out of South Palquemines High School in Port Sulphur, Louisiana, Sylve was seen as the No. 5 wide receiver by ESPN and the number 14 by Rivals. His speed is evident by his state titles in 100 and 200 meters.
Sylve redshirted his first year in Tuscaloosa. He also switched positions to defensive back from his recruited position of wide receiver.
In 2012, Sylve recorded six tackles. The 2013 season looks to be similar to the 2012 for Sylve. He will be a backup defensive back and play in mop up duty.