supa_fly_steeler
01-11-2010, 06:07 PM
Tuscaloosa, AL (Sports Network) - Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain will skip his senior season and enter the 2010 NFL Draft.
McClain announced his intentions to go pro at a press conference Monday and is considered among the top defenders entering April's draft. McClain anchored a stout Crimson Tide defense that ranked second in the country this season en route to a BCS national championship victory over Texas and an unblemished 14-0 ledger.
The 2009 Butkus Award winner as the nation's top linebacker and first-team All-American, McClain led the team in tackles with 105 and tackles for loss with 14 1/2 while adding four sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble.
"I came to school with the goal of being a first-team All-American, winning the Butkus and winning a national championship. I've accomplished those goals, and I think I'm going to leave the University pretty satisfied with what I've done here," said McClain.
In his three seasons with the Tide, McClain totaled 275 tackles, 31 1/2 of those for a loss, with eight sacks, five interceptions and 19 passes defended.
"I'm not letting out any secrets here, but he is a projected first-round pick. Everybody here knows my philosophy on guys coming out early for the draft, that if you're projected to be that, that's something that I can support you on," said Alabama coach Nick Saban. "His leadership had as much impact on our team and our team's success since he's been here in the last three years - even in his freshman year - as anyone that I've ever been associated with."
Another bit of news to come out of Monday's press conference was Saban announcing defensive coordinator Kirby Smart will remain in his position with the team. Smart had been offered the defensive coordinator's position at Georgia.
http://www.tsn.ca/nfl/story/?id=305718
McClain announced his intentions to go pro at a press conference Monday and is considered among the top defenders entering April's draft. McClain anchored a stout Crimson Tide defense that ranked second in the country this season en route to a BCS national championship victory over Texas and an unblemished 14-0 ledger.
The 2009 Butkus Award winner as the nation's top linebacker and first-team All-American, McClain led the team in tackles with 105 and tackles for loss with 14 1/2 while adding four sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble.
"I came to school with the goal of being a first-team All-American, winning the Butkus and winning a national championship. I've accomplished those goals, and I think I'm going to leave the University pretty satisfied with what I've done here," said McClain.
In his three seasons with the Tide, McClain totaled 275 tackles, 31 1/2 of those for a loss, with eight sacks, five interceptions and 19 passes defended.
"I'm not letting out any secrets here, but he is a projected first-round pick. Everybody here knows my philosophy on guys coming out early for the draft, that if you're projected to be that, that's something that I can support you on," said Alabama coach Nick Saban. "His leadership had as much impact on our team and our team's success since he's been here in the last three years - even in his freshman year - as anyone that I've ever been associated with."
Another bit of news to come out of Monday's press conference was Saban announcing defensive coordinator Kirby Smart will remain in his position with the team. Smart had been offered the defensive coordinator's position at Georgia.
http://www.tsn.ca/nfl/story/?id=305718