State turns out QBs faster than American Idols

[DKW 86 6,345]

http://www.al.com/sports/birminghamnews/ks....xml&coll=2

State turns out QBs faster than American Idols

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

College football recruiting isn't a science, but it does require a basic understanding of geography.

If you want a big, strong player for the trenches, you go north. If you want a quick, fast player for the skill positions, you go south.

If you want a quarterback, you head straight for Alabama.

The Southeastern Conference understands.

Of all the strange but true facts about SEC football 2006, this one hits closest to home. Of the 12 SEC teams, five are expected to start the season with starting quarterbacks from the state of Alabama.

Hut one: Trussville's Brandon Cox at Auburn. Hut two: Hoover's John Parker Wilson at Alabama. Hut three: Mobile's JaMarcus Russell at LSU.

Hut four: Montgomery's Michael Henig at Mississippi State. Hut five: Brundidge's Chris Nickson at Vanderbilt.

That means this state has produced almost half the likely starters at the most important position on the field in the best conference in the country. Kudos to the high school coaches, the ones who molded those players and the ones who challenged them from the other sideline.

The quarterbacks themselves, aside from their state of birth, are as different as daylight and dark.

Cox, Russell and Henig are returning starters, Henig winning his job late last season and winning the hearts and minds of Mississippi State fans with a big victory over rival Ole Miss.

Wilson, the understudy to Brodie Croyle, is the solid No. 1 at Alabama. Nickson, the understudy to Jay Cutler, sits atop a more crowded depth chart at Vanderbilt.

Cox is a lefty. Wilson is a right-hander. Russell has a pro arm. Henig has a baby face. Nickson is so multi-talented, Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson said, "he could probably return kicks for us."

But he won't. He's too valuable under center.

"Chris Nickson had a phenomenal high school career" at Pike County, Johnson said. He wasn't the only one. Nickson followed Cox (2001) and Russell (2002) as Alabama's Mr. Football in 2003, and along with Wilson, their names dominate the Alabama High School Athletic Association record book.

They hold the records for career completions (Wilson), career passing yards (Russell) and career total yards (Nickson).

The guy who owns the state passing records they don't could join them as an SEC starter. Tuscaloosa's Chris Smelley already is on track to be the backup at South Carolina this season as a true freshman.

He completed 10-of-17 passes for 173 yards and three touchdowns in his first college scrimmage and caught some compliments from Steve Spurrier.

Smelley, who holds state high school records for passing yards in a season and touchdown passes in a season and a career, is a quick study with a quick release. Spurrier is known for a quick hook.

Do the math, and it's entirely possible that six quarterbacks with Alabama roots could play important roles in the SEC this season.

The state that gave you Ken Stabler and Pat Sullivan is growing a new generation of potential stars under center, and none of them is a senior.

How impressive is that? These days, Alabama is turning out SEC quarterbacks faster than American Idols. Kevin Scarbinsky's column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Write him at kscarbinsky@bhamnews.com.

[CCTAU 2,052]

Then you got Pat White at WVU. How many more are starting elsewhere?

[Guest Tigrinum Major]

The kid at Vandy, Nickson, won the 3A state championship by himself when he was a senior. He scored four touchdowns against Oneonta in their win. He was amazing. They had a couple linemen from Pike County that also went D1.

[AUesquire 1]

Nickson was Mr. Football in his classification, I believe. Apparently, he wasn't recruited very hard by AU/UA and from what I heard, it was because he was set on playing QB. TM, didn't he play some DB or linebacker as well. Probably so because most of Pike County's guys would go both ways.

The Henig kid at MSU comes from a huge Auburn family and big financial supporters of the program (Henig Furs). They are good friends of my dad and they were quite upset that AU didn't offer. He really didn't have any great credentials coming out of HS and I doubt AU wanted to risk a scholly on him at QB. He seems to have developed into a solid player. Good enough for MSU.

[Guest Tigrinum Major]

TM, didn't he play some DB or linebacker as well. Probably so because most of Pike County's guys would go both ways.

Yes, he was a DB. One of his TDs in the state championship game was an interception return. Great player.

Pike County only had about 16-17 players, but they all could play.

[WaReAgLe83 0]

Okay, sorry, mind in the gutter, but...why would Chris *Smelley* go to USC? That's the worst name to have with their mascot being what it is, right?

[DKW 86 6,345]

Okay, sorry, mind in the gutter, but...why would Chris *Smelley* go to USC? That's the worst name to have with their mascot being what it is, right?

Not going to comment on it....wouldnt be prudent...