Oak Mountain (Ala.) middle linebacker Whit Whitfield was set to have a monster season in 2008.

The 6-foot-3, 228-pounder made 14 tackles and had two pass breakups in the Eagles season-opener against Pelham. But after the game, Whitfield found out that a knee injury sustained in the first drive of the second half would end his junior season.

Whitfield gutted out the injury the remainder of the game but an MRI confirmed that his ACL was torn and required surgery. But Whitfield did not let the setback put him down for the whole year. He rehabbed his knee and was on the wrestling mat just a few months later.

"I actually got released to wrestle the last week before sectionals," Whitfield said. "I went and I got second in my section and got third at state on only a week to practice."

Whitfield says his knee has fully recovered and he will be back at 100-percent in the fall.

Whitfield feels the injury may have slowed his college recruitment but it has not stopped a number of schools to inquire about his services. He feels like hometown UAB is close to handing him his first offer. He is also hearing from Auburn, Ole Miss, Louisiana Tech and Troy.

Whitfield attended the Rebels junior day and his experience in Oxford left a definite impression on him.

"I went to junior day at Ole Miss and that really sparked my interest in them," Whitfield said. "I went up there and it was a lot of fun for me. I really loved all the coaches and that is one thing that I am really big on is my relationship with the coaches. I didn't meet a coach up there that I didn't have an instant connection with."

Another program from the Magnolia State has also sparked his interest. Whitfield already has two former Oak Mountain teammates at Mississippi State in offensive linemen Mark Melichar and D.J. Looney.



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