Alabama Football: Confidence soars for a Jeremy Pruitt return

In the last 24 hours, confidence has soared about a Jeremy Pruitt return to Alabama Football. Much of the recent enthusiasm is being generated by what can only be labeled as rumor. Too many who claim to be Alabama football insiders are too often wannabes.

On the Bama Hammer site, we are careful to distinguish between rumors, and what we believe to be solid facts. Much of what follows; is either rumor or conjecture. Perhaps the increase in the volume of chatter indicates some solid information is coming soon.

One point to make is the clarification of a claim. It has been said by others and repeated by some fans that the SEC has cleared Jeremy Pruitt. The SEC cannot clear Pruitt of any NCAA penalty. Only the NCAA can do that. It is possible Alabama Football or University of Alabama representatives have asked the advice of the SEC. If so, whatever advice provided by the SEC could not have cleared Pruitt.

Alabama football fans are anxious to hear Nick Saban has hired Pruitt as the Crimson Tode’s next Defensive Coordinator. There is little doubt that is Saban’s preference. Many former Alabama football players have lobbied publicly and perhaps privately for Saban to make that decision.

Alabama Football Risk

What Saban must decide, is Pruitt as DC worth the possible consequence of having a DC, who for a time cannot recruit. His decision will neither be all right nor all wrong. It could be summer before the NCAA makes a decision on penalties for Pruitt. Though it seems unlikely the final decision will whitewash Tennessee, the Vols appeared to have so successfully scapegoated Pruitt, his penalty could be severe. Possibly, he could be given a multi-year show cause, meaning an extended time prohibiting him from recruiting.

My conjecture puts me in the camp of those who believe Nick Saban will hire Pruitt. My guess is it will be soon. An additional guess is the odds are higher, maybe at 60-40, that Pruitt will be a defensive analyst until the final NCAA decision. I hope I am wrong.

Another observation is most of all those who claim to know what will happen, don’t know. I am tempted to say all rather than most, but maybe a handful of people, not on the Alabama football staff know. I don’t think any of them are talking.