Jerome Morehead

DL, 6’3, 275, 4.7, 350 bp
Memphis, TN

Nickname: Jerome (middle name, first name is Kindal)
High School: Melrose
HS Number: 60
AL Number: 54
Official Visits: Alabama
Second Choice: Tennessee
Host During Alabama Visit: Carlos Stennis
Committed: August 29, 1997
Roommate To Be: Eric Locke
Academic Status: Qualified

Stats

HS Junior Season

Tackles

• 110 solos
• 66 assists
• 176 total
• 27 QB sacks

HS Senior Season

Tackles

• 161 solos
• 121 assists
• 282 total
• 21 QB sacks

Interceptions

• 1 INTs

Honors

• Three-time All-City
• Two-time All-County
• Two-time All-State
• Knoxville News Co Number 1 Player in TN
• USA Today First Team All American
• Pigskin Preps Super South 75
• Forrest Davis First Team All-South
• SuperPrep All-American
• Prep Star All-American

Stories

Jerome "Don’t Call Me Kindal" Morehead

His full name is Kindal Jerome Morehead. Fans call him Kindal.

"My family calls me Jerome," Morehead says. "That’s the name that I want to go by at Alabama."

Welcome to the family, Jerome!

Number 54

He’s a special player. And he’ll wear a special number.

"They told me that number 54 is special in Alabama football history," Morehead says.

In the early 60s Leroy Jordan made 54 famous throughout the state. In the 70s Mike DuBose carried on the tradition. Now DuBose is passing the torch to Morehead.

"Coach DuBose and I talked about it. He told me that not just any player can wear 54 for Alabama. That’s why I want it."

"The Strip"

It’s one of the most famous plays in Alabama football history -- George Teague running-down Miami’s Lamar Thomas and stripping the ball.

That play became known to Tide fans everywhere as "The Strip."

"The Strip" is also one of the most famous plays at Melrose HS -- Jerome Morehead running down a fleet defender from Covington HS and stripping the ball.

"I was playing offensive tackle. A guy intercepted a pass and was headed for a touchdown. I ran him down inside of our ten-yard line and stripped the ball. I didn’t return it for a touchdown, but I did pretty good with it."

On The Recruiting Trail …

Alabama all the Way!

It was just a friendly visit that got blown out of proportion. After the Alabama-Tennessee game last year Jerome Morehead went to the Vols’ locker room.

"I went over there just to say hello to two of my friends, Tori Noel and Cedric Wilson," Morehead says.

Tennessee fans took the visit to mean that Morehead was ready to dump the Tide.

"That’s what everyone was saying. But I never said that."

Three of Morehead’s former HS teammates -- Andre Lott, Kevin Taylor and Cedric Wilson -- were freshmen at Tennessee last year. They tried to get Morehead to join them in Knoxville.

"I had already committed to Alabama and I knew that’s where I wanted to be. I never had any second thoughts."

Q&A

TI: We’ve seen several contradictions in regards to your size, speed, and position. Would clarify each of those?

JM: I’m 6’3, 275, and run a 4.7. I’ll play linebacker and defensive end, depending on the situation.

TI: What situations will dictate where you play? And which linebacker position will you play?

JM: In running situations I will play middle linebacker. In passing situations I’ll play defensive end.

TI: Do you feel that you’ll eventually play one position?

JM: I’ll probably end up mainly at defensive end. Playing defensive end I can rush the passer and also play the run. Playing at middle linebacker in running situations gives me the opportunity to play the whole field.

TI: You committed to Alabama last August. Why so early?

JM: I wanted to get it over with. I wanted to enjoy my senior season and not have to worry about all the hassle of recruiting.

TI: Did the hassle end once you committed to Alabama?

JM: People kept calling me about some rumors that were going around. They said I was going to change my mind and go to Tennessee. I don’t know where they got that from.

TI: Why did you pick Alabama?

JM: Mainly because of Coach DuBose. He was a defensive coordinator and I’m a defensive player. I felt like that it would be good for me to play for him because he knows defense.

TI: What are your goals for next season?

JM: I just want to help the team in anyway I can next season.

TI: Do you think Alabama will get it turned around soon?

JM: Alabama had a lot of young players and walk-ons last season. Now everyone’s older and has more experience. The recruiting class this year was good too. I think we’ll begin to get it turned around pretty soon.