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. 

The crem-della-crem however will forever be the legendary QB Jimmy Johns.  The coaches took one look at his arm and decided he was a running back.  Never has a bench warmer been so beloved as this guy, but he finally ended the debate as to why he never played by getting arrested for distributing cocaine ON CAMPUS and turning Alabama football into a national punch line.

Five players would be added to the singing day haul from the previous year via grey shirting.  QB John Parker Wilson, OL Drew Davis, DL Lorenzo Washington, DL Brandon Fanney, and TE Travis McCall. 

A bitter road lays ahead for these young men, a journey that would include many bitter losses, a coaching turnover, endless fan meltdowns and brow beatings by the press.

Glenn Coffee would survive a blown knee to work himself into a star rusher in the SEC. 

Michael Johnson one of the few highly regarded recruits would blossom into an outstanding guard.

Eryk Anders would find a place as a pass rush specialist.

Bobby Greenwood and Brandon Deaderick would become run-stuffing defensive ends.

Cory Reamer would eventually go from safety to linebacker and earn a starting spot. As did other players who would find a place to contribute.

John Parker Wilson who arrived as a two star recruit would leave Alabama with his name written all over the record books. He would guide his merry band of embattled veterans to a 12-2 season in 2008.  Finally, JP Wilson would stand toe to toe with the best football team in the land and come within 15 minutes from a national title game. 

The game ended in a loss for the Tide, but many believe this group of not so spectacular recruits were instrumental in turning the tide of a losing program.      

With four and five star recruits being the norm more than the exception these days the future looks bright.  I can’t help but remember fondly those who arrived to find a sinking ship taking on water and through hard work left with the ship at full steam sailing in the right direction.