(MOBILE, Ala.) - As Alabama takes the field against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the BCS Title Game next week, several Gulf Coast football stars will no doubt be the key to victory for the Crimson Tide.
Quarterback A.J. McCarron played for St. Paul's High School, Running Back T.J. Yeldon graduated from Daphne High School just last year and Safety C.J. Mosley went to Theodore High School.
Theodore High School Football Coach Bill Meredith had the pleasure of watching his Crimson Tide in the national championship last year, and will again this year with his eye on one of the best player's he said he has ever coached; Alabama Defensive Back C.J. Mosley.
"He's just a true leader," Meredith said, "That's what he is. He doesn't talk a bunch. He just does it by action. C.J.'s going to be at practice, he's never going to miss, he's never going to fuss, he's never going to grumble. He's going to do exactly what he's supposed to do, when he's supposed to do it. He's extremely smart, and he's just a pleasure to coach."
Meredith said Mosley has always been a good person too, and the product of a loving family. That, he said, teamed with his athletic ability, is one in a million.
"I hope he wins this one, and I hope he's sitting in it again this year and I can be doing that same talk to you because he deserves it," Meredith said, "and the work they put in, they deserve the championship."
Meredith said he had the pleasure of watching A.J. McCarron play growing up at St. Paul's, and even coached against Daphne standout T.J. Yeldon.
"They were not very good at the time that we played them," Meredith said of the Daphne Football Team. "They were 5-5 and made the playoffs, and they ended up beating us by a couple of touchdowns just because of him."
Meredith said though it will be a close game, he said Alabama had the upper hand against the Fighting Irish.
"I think defenses are even, and I think the experience at quarterback is always going to make the difference in the game, and I think Alabama wins just because of that," Meredith said.
