A Star May Be Falling in the Alabama Sky With Loss of Star Jackson

Larry Burton (Panama City Beach, Fla.)-A noticeable person has not been present at Alabama's spring practice: Lakeworth, Fla.'s Star Jackson, entering his sophomore season, who was last year's backup quarterback for much of the championship season.

In 2007 when Star committed to Alabama, it was hailed as a major victory for the Tide. No one knew at that time that Greg McElroy would step up and claim the job. Instead, Star was hailed as the next great Alabama quarterback.

His commitment not only helped Alabama land other good players because of his name, but Jackson was an active recruiter himself. He committed early and helped sway several other signees to come on board.

Alabama redshirted him in 2008 and he was schooled in the Bama system and ran the scout team, impressing coaches with his arm strength and fast feet.

However, in early 2009, Greg McElroy emerged as the clear winner of the spring and fall drills and Star was set as the backup with recently departed Thomas Darrah in the third slot.

A young hot shot to be, A.J. McCarron was red shirted as Alabama apparently had enough depth at that position.

But as the season went on coaches began to see Darrah not progressing, Star failing to move to the next level, and A.J. McCarron beginning to show maturity in decision making and progression in skills.

Then at the end of the season, it was announced that should something happen to McElroy, McCarron would play in his place. That pushed Star Jackson to third string and Darrah out of the program.

With Phillip Sims coming in this year as one of the nation's top quarterback prospects, perhaps to red shirt status, Star began to see his chances of ever taking the reins of the team as a starter as a virtual long shot.

There is no doubt that Jackson is a star that could shine somewhere. He has the size and arm of a great quarterback as well as the speed and muscle to help avoid sacks.

But breaking into the line up on a national championship team from third string was something that was just not going to happen to Star.

Who knew when Star committed that A.J. McCarron would follow him to the team a year later and mature into an heir apparent or that Phillip Sims would come in and possibly eclipse them both.

McElroy is noted as having an accurate arm, good on arcing deep balls as well, but McCarron and Sims are known for having cannons that lay a frozen rope down the field.

So today's announcement that Jackson was absent because of academic issues may have been a surprise to most who follow the team closely. Rumors were flying that Star was leaving to try and be a starter somewhere else, and that is certainly a possibility.

Saban said today that Jackson would be welcomed back if the issue is straightened out. With Alabama however looking to pare down the number of athletes on the team, should Jackson not make it back this season, it could help Alabama approach that number a little easier.

Should Jackson consider transferring, he would have to sit out one year. Should Star not be able to play this year because of academics, this could be that year.

Whatever the future holds for Jackson, Alabama owes him much from the team, administration and fans for his hard work and help in helping bring others into the program.