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LB, 6'2, 218, 4.5
Hopkinsville, KY
Nickname: Superman
High School: Hopkinsville
Junior College: City College SF
HS Number: 10
JC Number: 10
AL Number: 10
Official Visits: Cincinnati, Indiana, Arizona State, Alabama
Second Choice: Arizona State
Host During Alabama Visit: Shaun Alexander
Committed: January 29, 1998
Academic Status: Graduate in May
Stats
HS Junior Season
Receptions
- 33 receptions
- 628 yards
- 9 TDs
Rushing
- 81 carries
- 746 yards
- 9.2 yards per carry
- 8 TDs
Tackles
Interceptions
Fumbles
HS Senior Season
Receptions
- 26 receptions
- 700 yards
- 10 TDs
Rushing
- 96 carries
- 960 yards
- 10.0 yards per carry
- 8 TDs
Tackles
Interceptions
JUCO Freshman Season
Tackles
JUCO Sophomore Season
Tackles
Interceptions
Honors
- Two-time All-Conference
- All-State
- Golden Gate Conference Defensive Player of the Year
- JUCO All-American
Stories
Miguel Merritt, a.k.a., Superman
Beware, SEC. Superman is coming!
"They nicknamed me Superman because I make big plays all over the field," Miguel Merritt says.
His stats bear out that claim.
In two seasons at Hopkinsville HS he totaled over 3,000 yards of offense, scored 35 TDs, made 280 tackles, caught 59 passes, intercepted six passes and recovered four fumbles! And he was the most versatile player in school history, playing five positions -- WR/ RB/QB/KR/DB.
As a senior Miguel was the state of Kentucky’s number two prospect behind Tim Couch. He also won the state wrestling championship in the 185 lb class and was named Most Outstanding Wrestler at the state meet.
Miguel was a two-time JUCO All-American and this season was named the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year. The past two seasons he made 165 tackles, 20 QB sacks, 12 INTs and four TDs.
Beware, SEC. Superman is coming! Better break out the Chryptonite.
One vs. Two
Tim Couch was number one. Miguel Merritt was number two. But when the top two HS prospects in Kentucky squared-off, number two was a big winner.
Miguel Merritt led a Hopkinsville defense that throttled Couch to the tune of 61-0.
"I had an interception return for a touchdown [35 yards]," Miguel says. "Our defense put him out of the game in the third quarter."
Miguel Merritt and Tim Couch both signed with Kentucky that year. But Miguel failed to qualify academically, so he went to CC of SF.
On Canary Knight
Miguel speaks highly of JUCO teammate and fellow Tide signee, Canary Knight.
"He has unbelievable speed and quickness," Miguel says. "I haven’t seen an offensive lineman stop him yet."
For The Record
Miguel is Spanish for Michael.
Q&A
TI: During the recruiting process you came onto the scene late for Alabama. How did that come about?
MM: Coach Cottrell had been recruiting me for Florida State. When he moved to Alabama, he called me and said he’d like for me to come to Alabama for a visit.
TI: What was your response?
MM: I was definitely interested because of Coach Cottrell and the Alabama tradition. Coach Cottrell said that Alabama needed someone like me to help get the program turned around. That was all I needed to hear.
TI: Sounds like you were sold on Alabama from the beginning.
MM: I knew that I’d have a good chance at making an early impact down there. That was an important factor. And I wanted to get closer to my family so they could see me play for a couple of years.
TI: You were a strong safety in junior college, but you have the size and speed of an outside linebacker. Where do you figure in at Alabama?
MM: I’ll probably start off at strong safety. But I know that Alabama needs some linebackers. If that’s where they want me to play I’ll do it.
TI: In junior college you had 20 sacks and 12 interceptions. That’s an unusual combination.
MM: I played all over the field. I’d blitz on one play, then cover a running back or wide receiver the next play. Whatever they need me to do, I can handle it because of my speed and size.
TI: When will you report to Tuscaloosa?
MM: I’m graduating in May. Then I’m heading straight for Tuscaloosa to workout. I want to be ready by August.
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