Alabama OL closing week with a bang
As far as closing out a week is concerned, it’s going to be hard to top what Montgomery (Ala.) lineman Antoine Caldwell has on tap.
The Lee High School standout opens his season on Thursday with a high-profile matchup against defending state champion Hoover. And on Saturday, he’s in for another special experience.
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“I’m going to the Auburn-USC game with my mom and dad,” he said. “I’ve never been to a college football game before, so I can’t wait. It’s supposed to be one of the best games in the country, and I hear those Auburn fans are crazy. I’m really excited about going.”
Caldwell (6-3, 265, 4.92) was recently offered a scholarship by the Tigers after attending a practice on the Plains. He has high interest in Auburn, along with Alabama, Arkansas, Vanderbilt and Southern Miss.
“Their practice was really cool,” he said of the Tigers. “They get after it, man. It was intense. I couldn’t believe how intense it was. Coach Nall and all those guys were fired up. USC better be ready.”
This summer found him camping at Alabama, Auburn, Southern Miss and UAB. He also made an unofficial visit to Vanderbilt, and reported that it went extremely well. “I really liked their school a lot. The campus is great.”
In addition to Auburn, he has scholarship offers from Southern Miss and Louisville.
Caldwell admitted the thought of committing to the Tigers has crossed his mind – “several times lately” – but he wants to take his time and see what develops with some of his other favorite schools.
“I’m not in a rush,” he said. “I want to enjoy my senior year and the recruiting experience. I want to take some other visits, go to some other games and see what Alabama and some of these other schools are going to do.”
He plans to attend the Oklahoma-Alabama game on Sept. 6.
Not a bad start for the first and second games he’ll ever see in person.
“I know,” he said. “Those are going to be great. Four great teams.”
In the meantime, his focus is on Lee’s matchup with Hoover.
“They’re the state champs and they put a whuppin’ on us last year,” he said. “But we’re looking a lot better this year. We’ve got a lot riding on this game, something to prove.”
Caldwell will start at “quick guard” and play defensive tackle in short-yardage and goal line situations.
In addition to being a fine athlete, Caldwell is a solid student. He’s expected to be a full-qualifier with a 3.2 GPA and a 21 on the ACT.