Alabama Football: 30 Tide Greats who exceeded their 3-Star high school rankings
By Ronald Evans
Alabama football players who exceeded 3 star ranking: 12. William Vlachos
- Mountain Brook, AL
- Center (2007-2011)
- 2007 Recruit Ranking: No. 270 Ranked Player in the Nation.
- 2011 All-SEC First Team
Nick Saban did not design his highly respected recruiting system after he moved to Tuscaloosa. In 2007, Saban already had a well researched and precise system using key player attributes to predict future player success at any position.
William Vlachos did not have those specific attributes. In particular, Valchos was too short to be a Saban center, or guard, or tackle. Mike Shula recruited Vlachos to Alabama, but Saban according to sources close to the Vlachos family, wanted William to accept a grayshirt offer. According to Will Hightower
"“To be honest, Saban didn’t want him,” Mountain Brook High School football coach Chris Yeager said. “He wanted to figure out a way to get rid of him. When Saban came to visit William at his house, I felt like he really tried to get him to decommit because of his size.”"
William did not decommit and he didn’t grayshirt either. He did redshirt in 2007. In 2009, as a redshirt sophomore, Vlachos was the Alabama football starter at center.
William Vlachos played in 48 games for Alabama football. He also made 40 consecutive starts. He was a key player for the 2009 and 2011 national championship teams.
In 2012, Vlachos signed an undrafted free agent agreement with the Tennessee Titans. He was released prior to the start of the 2012 season.
Nick Saban hired Vlachos as an Alabama football offensive analyst and he is pursuing a career in coaching.