The best kept secret about Alabama's 2010 signing class?
Two words. Early enrollees.
Few in the national media talked about it Wednesday and the advantage it will be for the defending national champion, but it was clear from Nick Saban's press conference that the Crimson Tide head coach is well aware and extremely pleased about it.
Alabama's 2010 class consists of 29 players. Eighteen signed Wednesday. The other 11 have been enrolled in school since January. It's the highest number of early enrollees ever for a Saban-coached team.
And what have they been doing since January?
So far they've been lifting weights, learning the terminology, studying the playbook and bonding with teammates. They'll take part in Alabama's Fourth Quarter off-season conditioning program, which will start in a couple of weeks, and then take part in spring practice after that.
"We think that's a real advantage for this class that gets overlooked a little bit," Saban said. "But it could be a big help for us next year."
The early enrollees include kicker Cade Foster, running back Jalston Fowler, defensive back John Fulton, defensive end Brandon Lewis, offensive lineman Chad Lindsay, offensive lineman Darius McKeller, defensive back DeMarcus Milliner, defensive lineman Anthony Orr, offensive lineman Austin Shepherd, quarterback Phillip Sims and linebacker Petey Smith.
Three of those guys were grayshirts from last year, one is a junior college transfer and seven are freshmen who elected to start their college careers ahead of schedule.
"It's an advantage for them academically, socially and athletically," Saban said. "Because they'll be able to participate in spring practice, fall camp won't be a first-time experience for them."
Saban said he and his staff neither encourage nor discourage commits to enroll early, adding that he believes that should be an individual decision made by each player. But he admitted there are advantages for both Alabama and the player when the player gets an early jump on college.
Sims, a Chesapeake, Va., native, said he decided over the summer to enroll early at Alabama.
"It really helps you in the long run," he said Wednesday.
Sims, ESPN's top-rated quarterback prospect, is doing all he can to take advantage of his early arrival.
"I'm just trying to learn the offense and get accustomed to how Alabama does things," he said. "There's a lot to learn. I started off just lifting weights and now I'm watching a lot of film, learning the formations, the terminology and the calls. I want to know everything. That's just how I am."
Sims said enrolling at Alabama early wasn't a difficult decision to make.
"This is ...
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