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Alabama Football: Walk-on dreams come true for Levi Wallace

By Ronald Evans

Nov 12, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Levi Wallace (39) and linebacker Anfernee Jennings (33) wrap up Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Keith Mixon (23) on a punt return at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Tide defeated the Bulldogs 51-3. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Levi Wallace (39) and linebacker Anfernee Jennings (33) wrap up Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Keith Mixon (23) on a punt return at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Tide defeated the Bulldogs 51-3. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Earning Alabama football playing time has been a long journey for Levi Wallace. Levi’s late-father showed him the way.

Alabama football defensive back Levi Wallace was taught to love the Tide by his father. As reported by Matt Zenitz of al.com,

"Walter Wallace was born in Tuscaloosa and lived there until joining the United States Air Force when he was 18. His childhood home was close to Bryant-Denny Stadium and he worked at the stadium’s concession stands back when legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant roamed the sidelines."

The elder Wallace spent 21 years in the Air Force. When Levi was in high school, the family lived in Tuscon, Arizona. Levi was a high school wide receiver and defensive back. Just like these seven former Tiders who were Zero-Star recruits, Levi was not rated by Scout, Rivals, ESPN or 247sports.

Wallace received no FBS or FCS offers. Rather than playing football at the Division 2 or 3 level, he chose to walk-on at Alabama.

Alabama Crimson Tide Football
Alabama Crimson Tide Football /

Alabama Crimson Tide Football

It took Levi a long time to work his way up the Tide roster. At the end of fall camp last season, he was awarded a scholarship.

As a junior in 2016, Levi played in 11 games. He was named special teams player of the week for his performance against Mississippi State. He filled in for an injured Marlon Humphrey against Auburn. He was part of the dime defense unit against Florida in the SEC Championship.

Alabama football is thin in talent and experience at cornerback in 2017. Wallace is expected to have an important role on special teams. He is expected to be a key backup at cornerback as well.

Levi’s father died of ALS the night before the Alabama football A-Day game in 2014. Hours before he passed, he requested that if he did not live through the night that Levi was not to be notified until after the A-Day game.

Words do not do justice in explaining a father’s love for a child. Two loves led Levi Wallace to Tuscaloosa, a father’s love for his son and his father’s love for Alabama football.

Next: 30 Tide Greats who were 3-Star recruits

We’ll we watching No. 39 closely this fall. Join us in rooting for a young man who has beaten back some most difficult odds against success.

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