Whether he chooses to return for his senior year or not, Miller Forristall has been one of the jewels of Alabama football.
Not only was he a great interview for reporters, but he also consistently brought a positive vibe and is one of those tight ends that does the dirty work and makes plays.
A native of Cartersville, Ga., the former three-star was having a good season, until the Crimson Tide faced Arkansas. Forristall was hit in the throat and while an injury report was not made available at the time of the mishap, Nick Saban would unveil the junior sustaining an injury.
Forristall missed the remainder of the regular season and the duo of Major Tennison and Jahleel Billingsley were called to emerge in his absence. During the prep for the Citrus Bowl, he returned to practice and looked good working through routes and catching passes.
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Saban mentioned that Forristall would have the opportunity to play versus Michigan, if he continues the process he is on. He got a chance to speak with the media on Monday in the Vrbo Citrus Bowl Day for Kids event.
Forristall said he broke two bones in his throat against the Razorbacks.
“I broke my larynx and my hyoid bone in my throat, so they had to go in and put a couple screws and a couple plates in on Monday [October] 28, after the Arkansas game,” he said.
“I caught an elbow real funny about halfway through the first quarter and we just didn’t really know what it was until after the game. We went and got it taken care of.”
He could not speak by the time the game ended; however, Forristall is just happy things did not get any worse.
“Anything surrounding your throat and airway, pre-surgery or post-surgery, is obviously stuff you worry about,” he said. “I could speak within a couple of days. Eating was the worst part. I dropped a couple of pounds. We’re back and I’m really glad to be back with the team.”
Prior to the injury, Forristall caught 12 passes for 131 yards with three touchdowns through eight games.
A member of the 2016 signing class, he has been part of two Southeastern Conference titles (2016, 2018) and a College Football Playoff National Championship in 2017.
Although he knows the pressure that comes with playing at Alabama – CFP or bowl game – Forristall is just happy he had the opportunity to play at a school that breeds success.
“I didn’t think when I first came to Alabama that I would appreciate the caliber of players I get to play with every day,” he said.” I get to play with Jalen Hurts and Tua [Tagovailoa] and Mac Jones and these guys. Someday I’ll be able to tell my kids about — in years to come — I played with some of the best to ever do it. Especially with the University of Alabama, to set records and win national championships and play in awesome bowl games like this one, there are memories that will last a lifetime that I’m extremely thankful for.”
He will have a chance to make some impactful plays on Wednesday as Don Brown, Michigan’s defensive coordinator, looks to bottle Alabama’s group at wide receiver.
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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 @CoachingMSmith.
