College Football: A Look Back at Signing Day 2005

In about 10 days several of us will post stories about our 2009 signing class and where they may fit in with the tide program. 

For me it’s like Christmas morning as a kid. 

My mind explodes with wonder and excitement over my new toys. But in the gut wrenching days leading up to “S” day I find it useful to look back for some perspective. 

Four years ago this week Mike Shula was in the middle of putting together what most felt was a solid class, especially considering the limitations of probation.

Tops of the class were a stellar group of running backs.  The shining star of which was Mike Ford.  Ford was a high four star rated player who would eventually earn a fifth star. 

Most expected him to become an instant starter.  Ford was not the only four star, Roy Upchurch was also a four star player.   Three star players Glenn Coffee and Ali Sharrief came in as well.  Getting Sharrief was especially sweet as he decomitted from hated Auburn to sign with the Tide.

The tide signed two high profile quarterbacks Jimmy Johns and Jimmy Barns.  Barns had impressed in the Army All-Star game and Johns was Mississippi’s Mr. Football.

This class may not have been noticed nationally for its ranking, but their story is one of the more unique as they wound through the Alabama program over the next few years.   

To start with a staggering 14 players would never make it.  

DB Chris Keys was kicked off the team in '06.

Athlete Desmond Jennings never reported opting for a professional baseball career that has yet to get past the minors. 

RB Mike Ford, DB Michael Ricks, and DE Antonio Forbes never qualified to play a down at Alabama. 

WR Nick Kyles disappeared un-noticed, a quick search of the internet shows him as part of Georgia Southern’s team.

OL Byron Walton was cut from the team in 07.

QB Jimmy Barns transferred out.

OL Cole Harvey quit the team as did LB Zach Schreiber and DB Sam Burthall.  

DB Lionel Mitchell went to Hargrave and did get to Alabama, but a bad back ended his career before it started. 

TE Charles Hoke looked promising, but a bad shoulder ended his career just last year. 

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