Poor Alabama. Those Crimson Tide just never seem to catch a break.
The Tide lost out on 4-star Reno, Nev., linebacker Ale Kaho the first time around when he signed with Washington on Dec. 20 of last year. But Kaho later requested, and was granted, his release from the Huskies, and is now enrolled at his second choice, Alabama.
As Nick Saban explained, Kaho was unable to meet Washington’s admission requirements and, since he was never enrolled at Washington, was allowed to pick any school he chose without restriction.
“I think, as I understand it, he was unable to get into school (Washington) for academic reasons because of their institutional policies, not because of NCAA rules,” Saban told AL.com. “He could get into school at most other institutions. So, he had opportunities to go other places. He didn’t want to sit out and continue to take other classes so he could go to the school he signed at and we were one of the people that recruited him.”
Rated as the Class of 2018’s No. 133 overall prospect and the No. 7 inside linebacker, Kaho just so happens to fill a position of need for the Crimson Tide. Alabama had been using outside linebackers Christian Miller and Chris Allen to fill in on the inside due to a rash of linebacker departures and injuries, but Kaho falling in the Tide’s laps alleviates that issue.
How long will it take for Kaho to get up to speed? How dare you ask that question.
Still, it’s nice to see Alabama finally catch a break.