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Sharrief enjoys senior moment

Lindsay Vaught
Correspondent

Published November 23, 2009

TUSCALOOSA — The crescendo of cheers started as the seniors waited nervously in the tunnel under the north end zone. But this time, it was different. This run would be their last onto the field at Bryant Denny Stadium.

No. 2 Alabama wrapped up the home portion of its 2009 season with a 45-0 victory over UT-Chattanooga on Saturday.

For Crimson Tide defensive back and former North Jackson football standout Ali Sharrief, the game meant a chapter has closed in his long and acclaimed football career, which started years ago while growing up in Stevenson.

Before the game, the university honored is 27 football seniors as coach Nick Saban presented each one with an emblazoned game ball. Sharrief was joined on the field by his parents, Charles and Millie Sharrief of Stevenson. A host of friends and family were also in attendance.

“It means a lot to be recognized. Having the fans clap and hear your name called felt good. It shows that people care about you,” Sharrief said.

Sharrief was the first player out of the tunnel. By his own admission, he is not an emotional type guy, but Saturday was an exception.

“We were emotional about today. I am going to miss all the guys that I came in with and the younger guys I have become close to,” Sharrief said. “My experience here has been good. Five years is a long time. We had some ups and downs in the program, but it is going good now.

“I’m glad I got a chance to play in front of the fans and experience this today in front of the young guys. We are like a little family. The older guys are like big brothers, and the young guys like our little brothers.”

The game also marked a milestone for Sharrief, who played in his 51st Alabama game. It also marked his most extensive playing time this season. He took over for Mark Barron at strong safety on the third defensive series and played with both the first- and second-team defense.

Since 2008, Sharrief has done just about everything for Alabama.

Most of his action has been on kickoff coverage teams, where he lines up between Trent Richardson and Marquis Johnson on the left side. In 2008, as a reserve free safety, he got two starts when Alabama opened in the dime package on defense.

He started his career as a reserve tailback in 2006 and got his first carry against Western Kentucky. He finished the season with three carries for 31 yards.

The 27 seniors have experienced many highs and lows. Sharrief went from a 10-2 season and a Cotton Bowl win in 2005 to seeing the coach that recruited him, Mike Shula, fired after the next season.

He stayed through the coaching change and has been rewarded. For the second year in a row, he will play for an SEC championship and, perhaps, a national championship.

With the win over Chattanooga, Sharrief’s class has a five-year record of 46-17 and a 30-6 record at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Sharrief, who redshirted in 2005, has played in every game since the start of the 2006 season. Only he and senior guard Mike Johnson can claim that honor.

“My years here at Alabama, playing with these guys and having coaches like coach Saban, is going to prepare me for a successful life after football,” Sharrief said. “Coach Saban helped me become more of a man than what my parents had already. He showed the importance of putting the team first and following orders.”

Sharrief is one of 13 Alabama players who are also college graduates. He obtained his degree in human environment science and is working on a financial planning degree.

One of Sharrief’s teammates is freshman and fellow North Jackson alum Tana Patrick. The linebacker has not played in a game this season and will use a redshirt year.

According the Sharrief, Patrick is doing fine and “is going to be a real good player here. He has the potential to be a great player. Big, strong, fast, he’s everything the coaches want. We talk and hang out some. He is so much younger than me that we lead different lives, but we’re still cool. I just tried to encourage him.”

Sharrief said he talks to the new players about where the program has been.

“The young guys coming in now are quick to buy into what coach Saban is saying, so it is not too much work on our part,” Sharrief said.

Named to the 2008 SEC Academic Honor Roll, Sharrief has made a big impact off the field. He has worked with and mentored students at Woodland Forrest Elementary School in Tuscaloosa. He won the Derrick Thomas Community Service Award, presented by Alabama coaches, earlier this year.

While the games at Bryant Denny Stadium have ended, the season is far from over. Three games remain, and they are huge. First up is the Iron Bowl in Auburn, where Alabama has lost three straight.

“It’s real big in my mind,” said Sharrief, who recalled being heavily recruited by Auburn as a high school senior. “I really want to play those guys. I would love another win. We just got to prepare and put ourselves in a position to win.

“It’s a rivalry between two in-state teams that really do not like each other. Those guys are going to try to beat us and destroy our dreams. I know everybody on our team wants to play and win.”

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