[Tuck4Bama]

TUSCALOOSA -- By the time Javier Arenas stepped into coach Nick Saban's office this summer, he had made up his mind.

He was leaving Alabama. Not just Saban's Crimson Tide, but the entire university and state. He would enroll in school near his hometown of Tampa. This whole football thing was no longer for him, he had already told teammates.

"I was just at a point in my life where I didn't know if I wanted to play anymore," Arenas said. "I talked to coach Saban a great deal of time. He helped me realize. He told me I was making a huge mistake, which at the time I didn't think I was making."

Obviously, Saban was successful in keeping Arenas on the team and in school. Arenas now knows he made the right choice and won't elaborate on the reasons for his near departure.

Cornerback Simeon Castille said the Tide sophomore defensive back and kick-return specialist was "going through a tough time." Castille told Arenas to consider how quitting Alabama would affect him for the rest of his life.

"The public doesn't know how tough it is," Castille said. "Unless you've gone through it, you really don't. ... I'm glad he decided to stay."

As are Alabama fans who've watched Arenas become one of the most dangerous return threats in the SEC and a key factor on Saban's first Tide team. During each of Alabama's three victories, Arenas broke at least one long return to set up a score. During the first defeat, he did not.

"Yeah, I like that being my identity -- a lot," Arenas said of special teams. "I know what my blockers are going to do, so I'm just waiting for that to develop and then after, my instincts take over and my quickness."

Arenas has been so dangerous with the football, Saban has mentioned possibly using him on offense before the end of the season. As of now, the 5-foot-9, 193-pound Arenas provides depth at safety and cornerback.

Arenas glad he stayed- al.com

[Stoney]

I would be happy to see him return one or more for a TD.