A sophomore from the University of Alabama approached the Bill Battle Athletic Performance Center, sporting a Crimson Tide beanie and holding a helmet in his left hand.
Teman is determined to play for Alabama football. A former slot receiver at Ridge Community High School in Davenport, Florida, he turned down offers from Yale and Princeton for the chance to walk on with the Crimson Tide.
“I chose Alabama because I felt like I had a shot,” Teman said.
For Teman, and many other Alabama students, that shot is all they wanted. On Tuesday night, many took advantage of the opportunity at the Hank Crisp Indoor Football Facility during Crimson Tide football walk-on tryouts.
With a settlement between the House and NCAA approaching, one that would increase the maximum number of football scholarships but could limit athletes’ opportunities to join programs as walk-ons, the era of the walk-on college athlete may be in jeopardy.
However, the bigger picture was irrelevant to the UA students at the indoor facility on Tuesday night. They were all focused on one goal.
“They are looking for 10 guys in the spring and the fall,” said Daley Baughn, a University of Alabama freshman.
Teman was fully aware of the odds. They weren’t “one-in-a-million,” but they were close.
“But you have to just show out,” Teman said. “It’s all it is. You have to show out.”
‘I really just want to go in there and be myself’
Andrew Turner is no stranger to Tuscaloosa football.
A year ago, he was a playmaking outside linebacker and defensive end for Northridge High School, boasting a 12-tackle and 2.5-sack performance against Bessemer City.
One year later, Turner found himself as a freshman at UA, having “lost a lot of weight,” but still showcasing his versatility, humility, and football IQ for the Crimson Tide staff.
“I really just want to go in there and be myself,” Turner said. “Be more humble, more chill, more composed. And just go in there and do my thing, which I know I can.”
After group warm-ups and a 40-yard dash, Turner worked with the wide receivers, admitting he “slipped” during a few drills that didn’t involve a football, but he felt he finished strong.
“It’s more so of a learning experience, having different types of people there. There’s some real fast people, some real athletic people. You know, me being me, I’m very humble … If I did (make the team), that’s a plus. If I didn’t, I’ll keep working and go back next year.”
How ‘two athletic guys’ fared at Alabama football workouts
Hayes Burger also worked with Alabama’s wide receivers, despite having never played the position before.
Burger, a freshman at Alabama, participated in the tryout alongside fellow freshman Baughn, an aspiring tight end. Both had been soccer players at Grissom High School in Huntsville and had no previous football experience.
“We’re two athletic guys,” Baughn said. “Tryouts sounded interesting, something that would be a fun story to tell maybe one day.”
Burger saw his lack of football experience as an advantage.
He noted that Alabama’s coaches emphasized “agility and speed,” guiding players through drills that tested their ability to change direction and speed.
“I would say I’m a pretty fast guy and fairly athletic,” Burger said. “We weren’t messing with any footballs tonight, so I think I looked pretty (good) and I think I didn’t do too bad, honestly.”
Football experience wasn’t required for Baughn either, who navigated blocking and agility drills and received praise for his strength, movement, and technique in pad drills.
Baughn’s main takeaway from the tryout was simple: He wanted to learn, grow, and meet new people. He left the workout with one major realization.
“There (were) a lot of very athletic guys,” Baughn said. “A lot of talent at the University of Alabama.”
Why UA students remained realistic at Alabama tryouts
Teman felt he “had a shot,” but he was also realistic.
He had already spoken with Alabama about a possible walk-on spot and had been told by director of player personnel Bob Welton that he needed to improve his speed, which he had been working on ahead of Tuesday’s tryout.
Yet, even with everything Alabama could desire in a walk-on, Teman knew a spot wasn’t guaranteed.
“Alabama, it’s the biggest SEC school,” Teman said. “It’s not a small Division I. It’s not like a Division II, Division III. It’s the best of the best … You can do everything you possibly can. You can run your 40 right, do a good vertical, all that stuff. But it’s up to them and the roster. If they don’t have the open roster (spot), you can’t do much.”
Burger had realistic expectations and knew exactly what he was there for.
Burger made it clear that he wasn’t participating just to make the Alabama football team. He was there to take advantage of the opportunity.
“We’re just here to have a good time,” Burger said. “Have a good story to tell.”
