Tider Insider's
Recruiting Recap

PRE-SIGNING INTERVIEW
with
KECALF BAILEY

The following interview took place on Tuesday, October 29, 1996.

Kecalf, for someone who was apparently of interest to several schools, you made an early decision on your future.

I was getting a lot of phone calls and it was disrupting my personal life so much that I decided to get it over with.

Early reports had you favoring Notre Dame.

I was telling everyone that Notre Dame was my top choice because they were showing a lot of interest. They were calling me a lot. Alabama was more reserved. I wasn't sure that they really wanted me. Then I went on an unofficial visit for the Vanderbilt game and Coach Hallman offered me a scholarship. I jumped at the chance.

Do you have any goals for next season?

I just want to contribute next year. Ideally I'll get to backup DeShea for a year and then start as a sophomore. That would give me a year to learn the college game from Coach Hallman, as well as watch DeShea and Fernando Bryant everyday in practice.

Speaking of Coach Hallman, what are your impressions of him?

He seems like a very good coach. I've watched him a lot and like the way he treats his players. He's very tough to play for. He stays on his players, but after he corrects them he always pats them on the back. To me, that's good motivation.

We have to ask you about your unique name [pronounced Kelve]. How did it come about?

[Laughing] Well, my sister got it out of a magazine. She was reading an article on Aretha Franklin and saw her son's name was Kecalf, so that's what they named me. My family was planning on a girl but they got stuck with me [laughing again].

QUICK FACTS: Kecalf says he's 5'9, 160 and runs a 4.3 40. Offenses are throwing away from him this season, so he has only 2 INTs. Grades will be no problem. He wears number 3 in HS, but says he'll be either number 1 or 7 at Alabama.

Tider Insider found Kecalf a pleasure to talk to. He was very personable and well spoken.