Flomaton senior to play for Crimson Tide
Vickery switching green for crimson
About two weeks after committing to UAB to continue his football career, Flomaton High School senior Zeb Vickery has changed courses to fulfill a lifelong dream and will now suit up for the Alabama Crimson Tide.
The news became official Tuesday afternoon when Vickery received a telephone call from Alabama Offensive Coordinator Bill O'Brien. Vickery will graduate from FHS on May 26 and will report to Tuscaloosa on May 27. He has also decommitted from UAB.
Vickery said he had been in contact with UA assistant coach Todd Watson several times but things began to move fast Monday night when O'Brien called him.
"He knew about our program here in Flomaton, knew I was a captain and had watched film," Vickery said of O'Brien. "He said he wanted me to be one of the five in the quarterback room."
Vickery said O'Brien told him he wanted to talk to Coach Nick Saban and said he would call him back.
That call came Tuesday as he sat in his history class.
"He called and offered me that spot," Vickery said.
Technically a preferred walk-on Vickery said O'Brien told him he would be getting reps with the starters and be a part of his quarterback rotation.
Vickery said he wants to follow his father's footsteps and get into coaching and O'Brien said his time at Alabama would be a great experience and a great opportunity.
"I've been an Alabama fan all my life," Vickery said. "We've got old photos of me wearing an Alabama shirt when I was about 2. It was a childhood dream and I can't wrap my mind around it. I'm excited and ready to go."
Vickery's father, Flomaton head football coach Doug Vickery, said he was "In a state of fog right now" over Alabama's offer to Zeb.
"I'm so humbled because I know that God has his hand in this and I know Zeb is thankful too," Coach Vickery said. "I give all the glory to God."
"As a coach I'm proud any time one of my players goes to the next level," Coach Vickery said. "As a dad, I'm overwhelmed. I'm so proud of him as a person and the young man he has become."
Coach Vickery said Zeb had a serious knee injury during his sophomore year at Flomaton and had to rehab for eight months to get back on the football field.
"The trials and tribulations we face in our lives make us who we are," Coach Vickery said. "I have no doubt in my heart that God is going to use Zeb for great things."
