Knight still has shot at qualifying to play for Tide
By Creg Stephenson
Star Sports Writer
07-08-2004
University of Alabama football signee Ezekial Knight has one last chance to qualify academically and play for the Crimson Tide this fall.
Knight, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound wide receiver/linebacker from Randolph County High School, will take the Alabama High School Graduation Exam July 21-23, his prep coach said. If Knight receives a passing score on the test, he’ll report to Tuscaloosa with the other Alabama squad members on Aug. 9.
"If he passes, he’s good to go," Randolph County coach Pat Prestridge said. "If not, he’ll go to prep school for a year."
If Knight were to go the prep school route, he would likely enroll at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va., Prestridge said. Fellow Alabama signees Brandon Fanney of Morristown, Tenn., and Lorenzo Washington of Grayson, Ga., are already ticketed for Hargrave.
Knight led the Tigers to the Class 2A state championship last season, compiling more than 1,000 all-purpose yards, 13 touchdowns and 147 tackles. He was named first-team all-state and Class 2A "Back of the Year" by the Alabama Sports Writers Association.
While Knight may look like a long shot to qualify at this late date, there is recent precedent for such action.
Tuscaloosa County’s LeRon McClain followed the same path last year and went on to play 11 games at fullback as a true freshman for the Crimson Tide.
Knight is the last player from Alabama’s February signing class whose status remains in doubt.
Five others failed to qualify including Fanney and Washington, with the other three signing with Mississippi junior colleges. Defensive linemen Kevin Hamilton (Prattville) and Jerami Holifield (Hoover) are headed to Northwest Mississippi Community College in Senatobia, while wide receiver Nikita Stover of Hartselle will play at Itawamba Community College in Fulton.