Mark Ingram's Heisman Overshadowing Rolando McLain's Amazing Year

In a year in which Alabama returned to championship form and Mark Ingram became Alabama's first Heisman winner, the staggering accomplishments of Rolando McClain may have been overshadowed.

McClain was originally recruited by Mike Shula. When Shula was fired several recruits jumped ship but McClain remained firm. How firm he actually was we will never know but before it ever became an issue Nick Saban was hired as Alabama's new coach. If he wavered at any point I'm sure it evaporated when the plane landed from Miami.

McClain quickly grabbed the starting middle linebacker spot when he arrived. While Alabama was depleted from probation starting at middle linebacker as a pure freshman in the SEC is a major accomplishment. 

He seemed lost at times that first year especially in the passing game but when he was far from the liability you would have expected from a true freshman starting. 

The team caught fire early in 2007 and reeled off some impressive wins over Arkansas and Tennessee. For a time it seemed Alabama was back, but dark clouds were gathering in Tuscaloosa. 

The week of the Tennessee game Alabama became mired in yet another NCAA compliance mess when "TextBook Gate" hit the news. Though Alabama played well in the wake of the player suspensions against Tennessee and LSU, the team began to fall apart around McClain. 

By time Alabama got to the Ironbowl they were in disarray. The better prepared and more talented Auburn squad quickly made a meal of the struggling Bama team.

For Bama fans it was an all too familiar bitter pill to swallow. But in the loss I will never forget the play of the young freshman. Rolando McClain was fighting like mad, tossing Auburn players around like rag dolls in a futile effort to halt the unforgiving losing streak.   

Everyone expected McClain to be the rock upon which Nick Saban was going to rebuild the foundation of a new era of Tide football. Then came word of a motorcycle wreck. For a time everyone held their breath wondering when the bad news would stop raining down on Alabama. Fortunately McClain's hard lesson on sports bike safety cost him some skin, and a lot of pain, but he was not seriously hurt.

McClain Continued his onslaught on SEC offenses in 2008. In his second year he knew the defense and could react instead of think. By his side this time was yet another true freshman, Dante Hightower. In the span of 12 months he had gone from green freshman to the leader of the linebacker corps.

As the 09 season began McLain was the unquestioned leader of the defense. By his side was a now seasoned Dante Hightower. It must have seemed unfair for Alabama to line up two 250+ pound linebackers who can both run like deer. The advantage would not last long. 

Against Arkansas, Dante Hightowers season came to an end when a dirty chop block by an Arkansas lineman caused a catastrophic knee injury.  

Alabama had no one to physically replace Hightower but a combination of Senior Corey Reamer and True Freshman Nico Johnson attempted to fill the void.

Fortunately for Alabama, Rolando McClain did what he has always done, he led his teammates to victory. While Alabama struggled mid season to deal with the loss McClain stepped up his play even more, and refused to allow the defense to let up.

By the end of the season Alabama's defense was hitting on all cylinders again and put together a dominant performance in the second half against the high powered Florida offense.

Late in the SEC championship game as several players gathered around the sports drink bucket to shower coach Nick Saban, McClain stepped in. McClain later explained, "I told them that if we win the national championship, put whatever you want to put on him. But until then, we're not going to drench coach with Gatorade." 

In the days following the SEC championship McClain won the Butkus and Lambert awards as the nations top linebacker. While nobody including McClain himself would take anything away from Mark Ingram, McClain's accomplishments this year will be remembered for a long time. One could wonder how good Alabama's defense would have been if his Danta had not been injured.

One more collegiate goal remains for McClain. He has an opportunity to add a national championship ring to his personal collection of swag. If Alabama is to beat Texas, Rolando McClain will be leading the way.

Win or lose in Pasadena, McClain will have a choice to make. Experts are projecting McClain in the middle of the first round. That means a massive guaranteed signing bonus is likely in McClain's near future should he apply for the draft. 

No matter what he decides Rolando McClain has taken his place along side some of the greatest linebackers in Alabama football history. His accomplishments on the field and his steady leadership are now part of Alabama lore. The kind of lore that is discussed by old men in coffee shops 40 years after the fact.