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Jason Rawls

Nickname: J-Roc
Birthday: 11-21-81
High School: Statesboro
HS Mascot: Blue Devils
HS Coach: Buzz Busby
HS Position: MLB, RB
HS Number: 34
AL Number: 10
Official Visits: Alabama, Auburn, South Carolina
Second Choice: Auburn
Host During Alabama Visit: Saleem Rasheed
Committed: 1-12-2000
Roommate To Be: Justin Smiley

'J-Roc' began his senior season as a running back, but switched to linebacker in the third game. In just eight games he piled up 99 tackles, five sacks and three interceptions, one of which he returned 76 yards for a touchdown.

Rivals 100 rated Rawls the 67th-best linebacker in the nation.

What Experts Say about Jason Rawls

Forrest Davis: "He is very quick, aggressive and tenacious."

Q&A with Jason Rawls

TI: Jason, at the beginning of last season you were a running back. Few people considered you a Division 1 prospect until you switched to linebacker. Talk about what prompted the position change.

JR: It really happened almost by accident. I had been starting at running back since my sophomore season and had never played a down at linebacker. Then in practice one day last season -- it was after our second game -- I was going through hitting drills. After practice, Coach (Buzz) Busby said that he really liked what he saw of me tackling. He said wanted to give me a chance to play middle linebacker and asked if I'd be willing to try it. I told him that if it would help the team, I'd do it.

TI: Did you think that the move might give you a better chance at a Division 1 scholarship?

JR: Coach Busby mentioned that to me. He said that if I showed that I could play two positions, then maybe more schools would give me a look.

TI: While you were a running back, was Alabama recruiting you?

JR: They were looking at me, but not really recruiting me. Georgia and Georgia Tech were looking at me the most, along with some smaller schools. Alabama really started recruiting me hard after they saw me play linebacker.

TI: I understand that it didn't take you long to adapt to linebacker. Didn't you have a great first game?

JR: Yeah, I really had a very good first game. I'll never forget it. We were playing Glen Hills out of Augusta. I made the first tackle of the game and it just got better and better from there. I ended up with something like 22 tackles that night. I just felt so comfortable. It was like I could read the plays. I knew what the offense was going to do. I was getting to the ball in a hurry. I felt natural at linebacker.

TI: Don't you expect to play outside linebacker at Alabama?

JR: Yes. They want me to play on the weakside. Coach [Ellis] Johnson says that if I come in and play the way he saw me play on film, that I'll play next season. He just wants me to show up and do what I can do and the odds of me helping next season are really good.

TI: Are you excited about the possibility of playing next season?

JR: Oh, I'm very excited about it. I want to get there and get the feel of things. Once I do that, I think I'll be ready to play. I can't wait.

TI: Will you be intimidated at first?

JR: I don't think I'll be intimidated. The only thing is that I know I've got a lot to learn about the defense, but once I do that I'll be fine. I've gotten to be good friends with a lot of the Alabama players and they've really given me a lot of encouragement. I was over there for a week during spring break and spent a lot of time with Saleem Rasheed. He says that he was just like me last year this time, and look how far he came in a year. He says that I can be just like him next year. That made me feel a lot better about everything.

TI: What do you consider your biggest assets?

JR: Mainly, I think my speed and my ability to get to the ball. I have good instincts to go along with my speed. That helps me get in on a lot of plays. I just know where the ball is going.

TI: You've gotten a little bigger since last season.

JR: Yeah, I've gained something like 10 pounds. I'm at 217 right now and will probably stay between 215 to 220. I've been working out every night with my brother at Gold's Gym. We've been hitting it pretty hard and I eat a lot. And I've been doing a lot of running to keep my speed up.

TI: You narrowed your choices to Alabama and Auburn. Some people say that Auburn never actually offered you a scholarship. Is that true?

JR: That must be Auburn fans talking. Right after I committed to Alabama, the Auburn coaches called and told me that I just had to visit Auburn. They said that if I visited Auburn I might find that I would be missing out on something by going to Alabama, so I took the visit. After the visit, I told them that I wasn't changing my mind. But they still sent me a letter-of-intent the day before signing day. They said I might have a change of heart and wanted me to have the papers just in case. I still have the papers here in my room. I thought about throwing them away, but since some people don't believe they offered me, maybe I'll just keep them to show everybody who has doubts.

TI: During the recruiting process, did anything memorable happen?

JR: The thing that sticks out the most was [Auburn assistant] Coach Whitt calling my mom the Saturday before signing day and telling her that he thought I was a player, but that by going to Alabama I would be going to a school where I'd be nothing more than a practice player the next four years. He said that if I went to Auburn I would play immediately, but I would never play for Alabama. I thought that was kind of funny.

TI: Does it feels good to be a part of a top-five recruiting class?

JR: It feels great! That's what I like most about coming to Alabama. Alabama is always great, but this class will make it easier for us to win the national championship. I'm very excited about our future.

TI: When do you expect to report to Alabama?

JR: Our graduation ceremonies are June 10th. After that I'm going on a little vacation with my parents until the 14th. Then I'm moving over to Alabama on the 15th. I want to get there early and get used to everything. I think that will help me get ready for next season.