Nice Article on Keith Saunders

[TideinSavannah]

Found this interesting article on Keith Saunders and thought others might want to read it.

In his fifth year at the University of Alabama, the Willingboro native is not only working on his second bachelor's degree but he's blossomed into one of the top defensive players on maybe the most storied college football program in the nation.

Practicing on the same fields where Bear Bryant once watched from his tower high above, the now 6-4, 251-pound Saunders is a star where football is second only to religion. And we're talking a close second.

“Everything has worked out better than I could have even expected,'' said the 22-year-old, who graduated from Holy Cross in 2002. “I took maybe a different route than some players coming out of high school, but I had to. I needed to get bigger. I needed to get stronger. Actually, I think I got faster as I got bigger. I know that sounds weird, but I really do.''

Saunders had morphed into a prototypical end: tall, strong, with long arms. Add his quickness and he had all the tools to be one of the best.

He started the first 10 games there last year under former head coach Mike Shula. Saban, though, uses much heavier ends in his defense. And he loves using guys like Saunders to play linebacker, where they can not only drop back into coverage but blitz the quarterback.

“I used to joke in the locker room last year that I could play linebacker,'' Saunders said. “I used to joke about it all the time. Now I'm playing linebacker.''

LINK

 

[crtide]

I know next to nothing about Keith personally, but by happenstance, I met his mother on the ramps at the FSU game (We were both there smoking--sorry.) She is a class lady. Very intelligent and came all the way from NJ to watch him play.

 

[M2J]

He's a really cool guy, he was one of the first people I met at the University when I got here. When I stayed at Rose Towers and the fb players were staying there too, I remember him begging me to drive him to Coleman on a hot day. We've been pretty cool ever since.

 

[BamaNutt]

My wife and I met Keith's dad on the train in Dallas going to the Cotton Bowl. He had several friends that came with him from the NY/NJ area. Super guy! Didn't see him again until the Western game this year. He actually remembered our names, our restaurant, and other details we shared that day. We hope to tailgate with him Saturday. If Keith is anything like his dad, he is an outstanding person.

 

[lafella]

Pretty good read I like these kind of articles with the history of the player.