Alabama Football: 30 Tide Greats who exceeded their 3-Star high school rankings
By Ronald Evans
Alabama football players who exceeded 3 star ranking: 21. Quinton Dial
- Pinson, AL
- Defensive Line (2011-2012)
- 2009 Recruit Ranking: No. 382 in the nation
At the risk of challenging a few political beliefs, consider that Quinton Dial is proof that sometimes it takes a village to raise a child. Dial’s mother died when Quinton was 10 years old. His father was on the periphery of Quinton’s life and unable to provide for his son.
Dial’s salvation was multiple families from a church on the edge of Birmingham. It was a little like the Michael Oher story, though none of Dial’s benefactors were affluent. But they were enough, more than enough.
After finishing high school at Clay-Chalkville, Quinton signed with Alabama. His grades were not near good enough to join the Alabama football 2009 recruiting class. Dial went to Scooba, MS to attend East Mississippi Community College, of Last Chance U fame.
Here is Quinton’s description of his time in Mississippi from the blog sfgate.com.
"“It was a humbling experience, they really focus on books and ball. That’s all there is in that town.” Scooba contains two stop lights and a Subway sandwich outlet about 10 miles away. Consequently, during his two years in Scooba, Dial did two things – study and play football."
In many ways, it could not have worked out better for Dial. While he was in Scooba, other schools continued to pursue him, but he was intent on getting to Tuscaloosa. Dial followed that same training, practice, study dedication in Tuscaloosa and it paid off.
"(Dial) followed the same routine he learned in JUCO, he went to class in the morning, then to meetings and practice in the afternoon, and study hall at night. During his two years at Alabama, Dial earned a 3.0 grade point average and graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice."
Dial played two years at Alabama, on two national championship teams. He was steady, solid, rather than flashy. The San Francisco 49ers drafted Dial as the No. 157 overall pick in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
Dial has played five NFL seasons, appearing in 59 games and starting 32 of those games.