Crimson Tide Loses Another One: Linebacker McCants Turning Pro

Keith McCants, Alabama’s All-American linebacker, said he has decided to pass up his senior season with the Crimson Tide to enter the NFL draft.

McCants’ disclosure of his plans comes one week after Bill Curry left Alabama to become coach at Kentucky.

McCants told the Mobile Press-Register that leaving Alabama was a difficult decision but he had “no regrets.”

“I’m not leaving because I want to,” he said. “I’m leaving because I have to do this. Some players look at the money and the money is nice. But I’m looking out for my family. My family is my number one priority right now.

“I love football, and you can’t beat getting paid for doing something you love doing and being able to take care of your family at the same time.”

McCants, 6-feet-5 and 255 pounds, is expected to be among the top picks in April’s NFL draft, and it has been reported that he will be the first player chosen by the Atlanta Falcons.

McCants denied reports that he didn’t want to play pro football in the South. “God has given me the talent and ability to perform at the level I am at now,” he said. “The NFL scouts feel like I can play on the next level, so no matter where I’m drafted I’d feel honored.”

Many scouts have touted McCants as the best defensive player to come out of college football in years because of his combination of size, strength, speed (4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash) and attitude.

“I described him as a Saint Bernard puppy, the way he played with so much enthusiasm and great intensity,” Curry said. “Those were even finer assets than his physical ability, which is enormous.

“Keith’s looking at several million dollars and it’s hard to pass that up. He’s got greatness written all over him.”