With seeing a new coaching staff take the practice field, multiple players earning looks at different positions and sustaining an injury at quarterback, one would think the media should have enough questions going into Nick Saban’s first presser of spring practice on Tuesday.
But in today’s news, there is always a curveball.
Among the first questions asked dealt with the whereabouts of Keith Holcombe and would the linebacker participate in practice. Holcombe, who would enter his fifth year in the football program if he returns, was promised by Saban that could play both football and baseball.
He’s assisting the Crimson Tide to a strong year on the diamond, as first-year head coach Brad Bohannon has guided the team to a 16-6 record. It’s dropped its last three games, but Alabama hopes to get back into the win column this weekend in its road series versus Tennessee.
Last season, the Tuscaloosa native had 38 total tackles – including two for loss, one sack and three pass breakups in 14 games. He has always been recognized as a stalwart on special teams; however, his worst performance came against Mississippi State. Holcombe filled in for the injured Shaun Dion Hamilton and struggled mightily against the run. Regardless of the Tide getting a 31-24 win, it appeared as though the moment was too much for the former four-star.
According to Saban, Holcombe wants to ‘give baseball his best shot.’
“Keith would be a fifth-year senior and he has been through four spring practices here already,” Saban said. “He always tried to play both football and baseball and when we met after the season, I told him ‘you have been through plenty of spring practices, why don’t you just play baseball?’ Do the best you can in baseball and when the season ends, you and I will decide if you want to return for your fifth year. As of now, he’s totally focused on baseball.”
While Alabama fans want to see players succeed in football and hopefully get drafted, Holcombe’s quest for professional success may only lie in baseball. Despite his toughness, commitment and story of him playing with type one diabetes, he does not fit the traditional highly athletic linebacker mold that the Tide has become known for having. Saban would love to have Holcombe return in the fall, but at this point it is uncertain if football is on his mind.
He’s batting .347 with one home run and 14 runs batted in through 19 games.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
