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Alabama Football: 30 Tide Greats who exceeded their 3-Star high school rankings

By Ronald Evans

Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide fans in the crowd 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 fans in the crowd 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 players who exceeded 3 star ranking: 25. Vinnie Sunseri

  • Tuscaloosa, AL
  • Safety (2011-2013)
  • 2011 Recruit Ranking: 3-Star

The Sunseri’s are a family immersed in football. Dad, Sal has coached in college and the NFL since 1985.  Tino Sunseri was a quarterback at Pittsburg and in the Canadian Football League. Sal was an Alabama assistant coach when Vinnie began his college career for the Tide. In Vinnie’s second season he played against his Dad who left the Tide to coach the Tennessee Vols.

As a freshman in 2011, Vinnie made his mark on special teams and worked his way into the defensive backfield rotation. In 2011, he recorded 31 tackles with 11  tackles coming in kickoff coverage.

As a sophomore in 2012, he played in all 14 games, getting eight starts. He was fourth on the team in tackles with 54 stops, three pass breakups and two interceptions.

In the 2013 season, Sunseri had two interceptions and returned both for touchdowns against Virginia Tech and Texas A&M.

Take a look at the Sunseri touchdown against the Aggies:

At the peak of his exploding college career, Sunseri tore an ACL. The injury would prove to be the end of his Crimson Tide career.

Sunseri was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2014 draft. He played special teams and saw limited action in the secondary for the Saints. In November 2014, Sunseri broke his arm. He played in nine games for the Saints, making five tackles.

After a brief NFL career, Vinnie is on the Alabama Football staff.

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