Let's start out with his commitment to Michigan and RR in the summer of 2010. He started flirting with other schools like Auburn and Alabama that Fall when RR's seat got hotter and hotter. Alabama even practiced at his high school in Orlando preparing for the Citrus Bowl.
When RR was fired from Michigan, Dee jumped ship to Alabama with his HS teammate HaHa Clinton-Dix. Bama was always a good fit for HaHa and but wasn't a good one for Dee. Bama had a ton of 5 star RB's on the roster and it was going to be tough for Dee to find playing time. Case in point, HaHa was first round draft pick of the Green Bay Packers this year.
Soon after Dee hit campus the injury bug hit him. He tore his ACL in 2011 and then again in 2012. Since then, Dee has mostly been a special teams player when healthy. In his entire Alabama career he has rushed for 166 yards on 43 carries for one touchdown. He was so desperate for playing time, he even tried CB for awhile last season.
This past February he was arrested for possession of marijuana and giving false information to the police. He also didn't attend the bowl game the month before. It was clear his Alabama days were numbered. He wasn't making a difference on the field and was making poor decisions off.
Would things have been different if he stayed with his Michigan commitment? Hard to say as Michigan has struggled to find a consistent tailback since Mike Hart graduated. Ironic, isn't it? Michigan would have been a better fit for Dee, but as an 18 year old it was tough for him to see the forest through the trees.
So now what?
Dee has decided to transfer to Colorado State University and play for former Alabama offensive coordinator Jim McElwain who helped recruit him to Alabama. Dee will be able to play right away as he graduated from Alabama this summer.
Dee now has his degree and finally might find some playing time. I hope things work out for him.
1 comment:
Good point Bob
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