That’s one reason that so many players from the state will represent their college teams when Southeastern Conference Media Days are held next week in Birmingham. Alabama will have two in-state players representing the Crimson Tide, along with Coach Nick Saban.
The three-day event has the head football coach and two players from each team (four each day) answering questions from sports reporters.
As has often been the case, there will be more players from Alabama at the event than from any other state. Six former Alabama prep stars will be on hand. No other state will provide more than three participants.
Bama will be represented by junior center Antoine Caldwell of Montgomery and senior cornerback Simeon Castille of Birmingham.
Other Alabama natives participating are Auburn quarterback Brandon Cox of Trussville, Mississippi State defensive lineman Titus Brown of Tuscaloosa, Mississippi State quarterback Michael Henig of Montgomery, and Vanderbilt wide receiver Earl Bennett of Birmingham.
There will be three former prep players from Louisiana, Florida, and Georgia; two each from Arkansas and Mississippi; and one each from Kentucky, Virginia, Oregon, New Jersey, and Massachusetts.
In addition to Bama being represented by two home-state players, Arkansas will have two from Arkansas, Florida two from Florida, and LSU two from Louisiana.
There will also be one head coach from Alabama–Sylvester Croom of Mississippi State.
The schedule:
Wednesday, July 25
Arkansas, South Carolina, Auburn, Kentucky
Thursday, July 26
Alabama, Vanderbilt, Florida, Mississippi State
Friday, July 27
Georgia, Ole Miss, LSU, Tennessee