Alabama Football: Did Bama Say "Thanks but No Thanks" to Gunner Kiel?

Larry Burton (Syndicated Writer) If Gunner Kiel thought Alabama would still be interested in him after being spurned by him with his commitment to Indiana and subsequent backing away from that commitment, he doesn't know Nick.

Kiel wants to go to Notre Dame and Alabama for visits, and while the Irish will roll out the red carpet and slobber all over him, Alabama at this point could really care less.

Alabama took a commitment from a quarterback, and they don't back away from a player once they've given their word. This was a year that Alabama only wanted to take one quarterback, and the Tide found one in Alec Morris, a pro style quarterback from Allen, Texas.

At 6'3'' and 240 pounds, Morris is proving to be the star in the rough that Nick Saban knew he'd turn out to be when he saw him in a training camp this summer. He has guided his Eagle teammates to an undefeated season so far and put up phenomenal numbers.

Plus, they claimed the regional title this past weekend.

Keil's team lost to a three loss team. Kiel has thrown more picks this year, and he throws for less yardage per game than Morris who plays in a much tougher district than Kiel. He also does over 10 times the rushing yards of Kiel too.

Nothing personal against Kiel, but Saban found a diamond in the rough in Morris, and he's out-performing the much more hyped Kiel in every way. Apparently, the only thing Kiel has over Morris is a better publicity department.

2011 Allen Eagle Football Schedule

8/27	vs Cedar Hill @SMU	W	28-13
9/2	vs Justin Northwest	W	9-0
9/9	@ Longview	W	42-23
9/23	@ Plano (Clark)	W	44-7
9/30	vs Lewisville	W	45-13
10/6	@Plano East (Kimbrough)	W	42-38
10/14	vs Plano West	W	40-28
10/21	@ Marcus	W	38-35
10/28	@ Hebron		7:30
11/4	vs Flower Mound		7:30

So to think that Alabama would be interested in Kiel now, after being spurned before and after getting the right kind of quarterback who fits their system, but more importantly their mindset, is silly.

Kiel is coming to Alabama for another visit soon. The coaching staff hopes he enjoys it.

But he'll only be seeing what he missed out on by not picking the Tide when he had the chance.

With just a few spots left in the 2012 signing class and other needs to be filled rather than quarterback, there simply isn't a need anymore. Kiel's chance has come and gone to be part of the Crimson Tide.

And perhaps his chance to ever be a champion has come and gone too.

Alabama doesn't need you now, Mr. Kiel, and if you don't already know it, you will in a few years. You needed Alabama a whole lot more than they needed you.

Saban only wants people who are sure they want to be there.

Alabama won a recent national championship with another little known Texas quarterback, and the Tide may do it again.

Kiel may have won the high school publicity wars, but Morris will wind up with championships.

In the meantime, the Crimson Tide is doing just great with the quarterback they have and the future looks great.