[Tuck4Bama]

TUSCALOOSA - Back in the spring, Alabama coach Nick Saban had a question, and he needed to ask a high school coach for advice.

Saban was implementing his 3-4 defense that called for one more linebacker than the Crimson Tide used last season. Given the lack of depth at the position, he needed to find out if he could he count on highly touted signee Rolando McClain.

So he spoke with Decatur High coach Jere Adcock.

"Coach Saban felt like if Rolando could learn what they were doing, he had a chance to play early," said Adcock, who coached McClain in high school. "He asked me, `How well do you think he can handle this stuff?' I told him `Real well.'"

Apparently, Adcock was right. Thanks in part to a one-game suspension of incumbent Prince Hall, the freshman McClain is slated to start Saturday against Western Carolina at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Adcock said he wasn't surprised. Perhaps he should be.

The 6-foot-4, 255-pound McClain is the first true freshman linebacker to start a season opener since Saleem Rasheed of Birmingham in 1999. Overall, McClain is the eighth true freshman to start an opener since freshmen regained eligibility in 1973.

Fast learner for Tide- al.com

[Stoney]

He must be quite a talent for Saban to think so highly of him.