2019 quarterback, Stone Hollenbach, has officially accepted a preferred walk-on offer from Alabama. He broke down his decision with yours truly.
Alabama offered Hollenbach a preferred walk-on opportunity in June. Hollenbach was really excited and couldn’t wait to get back down to Tuscaloosa and discuss his offer. He visited Tuscaloosa on Saturday, during the Tide’s second Champion’s cookout of the Summer and there he was sold on Alabama.
“I went there and coach Gattis was with me the whole time and he kind of sold us on the place,” Hollenbach said. “All the questions I had for him, he answered. I loved everything about it. I always have been a huge Alabama fan. The chance to play for Nick Saban was one I felt I couldn’t let pass me by.”
Hollenbach grew up a huge Alabama fan and remembered going to see the Tide play for the first time when Alabama face Penn State in 2011. He got a chance to visit Tuscaloosa for the first time at a football camp and nothing has seen to match the Alabama atmosphere.
“I been to Penn State, Notre Dame, I visited a lot of schools,” Hollenbach added. “But there is just something about Alabama that I really love. I like everything about it. I knew that if I ever got an opportunity to play there, it would take a lot to get me away from that opportunity.”
Alabama has produced a handful of great NFL talent but they also have made great professionals. Hollenbach believes that this reputation will help him in the future.
“I know just from listening to players that are there now and from the past, that whatever I plan to do after, I will be successful with,” Hollenbach said. “Hopefully I will be lucky enough to continue football after college. I know whatever I decide to do, I’ll be successful. That’s just how coach Saban runs his program. I am just excited right now. I am going to go there and do whatever he asks me because I know this is something I have always wanted.”
Alabama now will have three quarterbacks in their 2019 recruiting class. Hollenbach joins Paul Tyson and Taulia Tagovailoa. With this much competition, a QB battle is destine to happen and Hollenbach is ready to accept that challenge.
“It’s going to be a tremendous challenge,” Hollenbach added. “I know I’m not one of the big 5-Star recruits like some of the guys that are coming in. But all the coaches told me I will have the same opportunity does guys get at practice. It’s going to be a step up and I’m going to have to work harder than I ever did before. That is something that is not new to me. Competition is what football is all about. That was another reason I chose Alabama. They did not promise me anything. They just told me if I came here and work hard and if I’m the best player I’m going to play.”
Hollenbach has shown that he can come up in the big moments. He lead his team to a state championship win as a Junior. He threw for more than 2000 yards and 30 touchdowns during that season.
His great production was due to his mechanics in the pocket. He has a great deep ball and knows how to use the small bit of separation to get his receivers open.
Hollenbach has a dream to be a coach one day and believes Saban will help him get one step closer to that.
“I’d like to become a football coach one day,” Hollenbach said. “I’ve got a great high school coach and I can’t think of a better person to learn from than coach Saban.”
Alabama is most definitely done with quarterbacks with a pledge from Hollenbach. As always, Touchdown Alabama Magazine will keep you updated on all of Alabama’s recruiting news.
Justin Smith is a Scouting/Recruiting analyst for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via @Jdsmith31Smith
