Fluker On Record Regarding Pro Plans

This is the time of year when once upon a time the greatest interests among Alabama fans were the national championship and bowl game and recruiting. These days an additional topic is that of which underclassmen will leave the Crimson Tide to try the National Football League.

Although not at the top of the list among third year players who might leave Alabama for a chance at the NFL draft, sophomore offensive tackle D.J. Fluker has been in the conversation.

On Monday, Fluker, a 6-6, 335-pound third year sophomore, issued a statement regarding his immediate future plans.

Fluker has started 11 games at right tackle this year after having started nine games in 2010. Fluker, who came to Alabama from Foley and who was redshirted as a freshman in 2009, is eligible for the draft because he has been out of high school for three years.

He said:

“I know there have been a few stories and different things out on the message boards lately about me possibly leaving school early. I want to go ahead and put all of that to rest and make it clear that my intentions are to stay in school.

"At my position, I still have a lot to learn in order to mold myself into the best offensive tackle I can be. I’ve learned a lot from my coaches in my three years here and I feel like I can only get better with more experience.

"The most important reason is to finish my degree. Right now, I am on track to graduate next December and that’s one of the things I promised my mother that I would do when I decided to come to The University of Alabama.

"This is a special place and I’m looking forward to spending another year with my friends and teammates, graduating, and playing in front of the best fans in the country.”