Journeyman Garnier rides Tide: Another interesting name on the newly expanded roster is sophomore defensive lineman Juan Garnier.
Garnier's story has been featured over the past few months in several publications and Web sites. At 6-foot-4, 312 pounds, the Boston native is nearly 100 pounds lighter than when he first started chasing his dream of earning a college football scholarship in 2002.
He started at Auburn, stayed through the spring, returned home, then enrolled at Tuscaloosa's Shelton State Community College in spring 2004. In the summer, he enrolled briefly at Alabama then returned home and enrolled at Ohio State in January 2005.
In April, the NCAA granted him a two-year waiver on the five-year rule and the sophomore is now at Alabama in his sixth year, determined to earn a scholarship.
While it makes for a great story, it isn't likely to be told any time soon. Head coach Nick Saban doesn't permit interviews with first-year players.
-- Tim Gayle
