Hoover Duo Rolls With The Tide

Tide Picks Up 2 Huge Commits

HOOVER, AL There has not been a high school football team in America that has received more national attention than Hoover High School, in the Birmingham suburb of Hoover, AL. From the MTV show "Two A Days" to ESPN nationally televised games and its domination of Alabama prep football in this decade, Hoover produces studs.

Two of those studs, defensive tackle Josh Chapman and defensive tackle Kerry Murphy announced their commitments to the University of Alabama on Tuesday at a press conference in the school.

Murphy, who is a lifelong Tide fan, picked Alabama over offers from Miami, Auburn, Clemson, and Louisville just to name a few. There was speculation the Tide would lose out on Murphy after his visit to Coral Gables this past weekend, where he proclaimed Miami the team to beat for his services. Something must have changed for the 4 star rated, 15th ranked defensive tackle in America when he returned home.

One of the biggest recruits in the state, the 6'5, 315lbs. Murphy is extremely athletic for his size. He runs the 40 yard dash in 5.5 seconds and can do multiple back flips in a row. Murphy totaled 77 tackles, 13 of them for a loss, and had 8 sacks as a junior.



Chapman, a former Auburn commitment, began to change his mind the moment Nick Saban was hired at Alabama. Former coach Mike Shula only extended Chapman a gray-shirt offer, meaning he would not be on scholarship this fall, and when Auburn extended him a regular scholarship, he committed to the Tigers months ago. He was also considering LSU, Louisville, and Ole Miss.

Saban however changed the Tide offer to a regular scholarship and Chapman began to weigh his options. The 6'1 280 pounder, also a lifelong Bama fan, decided to go with his heart and will be wearing crimson next fall.

Chapman who recorded 65 tackles, 6 sacks, and forced 3 fumbles as a junior is the definition of "work horse". He is also impressive in the weight room with his 370 pound bench press, 550 lbs squat, and 325 lbs power clean.

The duo plans to sign with Alabama tomorrow, which is National Signing Day.