Tough Rhode for McElroy

TUSCALOOSA | Not too many Rhodes Scholars show up at the University of Oxford with a Southeastern Conference Championship ring on their finger.

Greg McElroy may yet get the chance.

The University of Alabama's starting quarterback has been encouraged by UA faculty to apply, and said he will do so next year for acceptance into the 2011 Rhodes Scholar class. Had he applied for the 2010 class and been accepted, he would have been faced with choosing between one of the world's most prestigeous academic opportunities and his final year as a starting quarterback for the Crimson Tide.

And after waiting three years for the latter, he wasn't about to put himself in that position.

“I didn't want to apply and miss a year of football if I was picked,” said McElroy, who has made an ‘A' in every class he has taken at UA except one.

In a three-state region including Alabama, Tennessee and Florida, only two students will be chosen as Rhodes Scholars. McElroy's application to be one of them begins with a stack of recommendations and an essay that will be suject to the highest of scrutiny.

From there, it gets even tougher.

“You go there and you get quizzed on current events, quizzed on intellectual activities, things of that nature. I guess my interviews with you guys (media) are helping me with that should I ever be named,” McElroy said with a laugh. “I guess you go to Oxford for a year, year and a half. If I did it, I don't think I could do it as a business major, which is unfortunate. I don't think they actually have a business school at Oxford, and if they do it's relatively new. So it would have to be somewhere in political science or something.”

Oxford is located about an hour northwest of London. Fewer than 100 Rhodes Scholars are selected each year, and the 2010 class was selected last month.

PROUD PAPA - Asked about matching wits with Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, who coached for him at LSU, UA coach Nick Saban likened the feeling to parenthood. Muschamp has not only led the nation's top run defense (1.99 yards per carry), he has also agreed to be the Longhorns' next head coach when current head coach Mack Brown decides to step down.

“When one of your children do something that makes you proud, not that I view these guys (as children) and don't have tremendous respect for them as men. ... But I think people can relate to, anybody that has children, when your children do something that makes you feel good and proud because of their accomplishment,” Saban said. “That's how you feel when coaches on your staff go on and do bigger and better things and have success in what they do.”

HEALING UP - Offensive lineman Mike Johnson said layoff of nearly five weeks between the Southeastern Conference Championship game and the BCS title game against Texas provides an ideal opportunity for minor injuries to heal.

“Anytime you've been through a 12-, 13-game season, you're going to be all nicked up, especially playing in the trenches,” Johnson said. “Having that time off is huge for us, just to get the sore shoulders, knee problems, ankles, whatever it is, just to get iced up, get in the cold tub, get in the hot tub - it's bigger than anybody realizes.”

Thirty-three days separate the SEC title game from UA's game with Texas, and players were given roughly two weeks off at the beginning of that stretch.

JONES FEELING STRONG - Wide receiver Julio Jones had all sorts of physical problems last season, including pain in his shoulder and wrist, as well as a sports hernia. He played through it all to post the most prolific receiving season ever for an Alabama freshman. This year, Jones hasn't quite had the same production, but hasn't taken quite the same pounding, either.

“I'm in a lot better shape (physically) now (than a year ago),” Jones said. “With all the double teams I've been getting, I haven't been getting as many balls and stuff like that, but I don't care about that. I also haven't been getting the wear and tear on me like I was last year.”

Jones missed all of one game and most of another early in the season with a knee bruise, and took several subsequent weeks to fully recover. Jones has made 42 receptions this season for 573 yards and four touchdowns, leading the team in all three of those categories.

QUOTABLE - Tight end Colin Peek on his touchdown catch against Florida being chosen for a Sports Illustrated cover photo: “My dad just loves sending out copies and having me sign them.”

Reach Chase Goodbread at chase.goodbread@tuscaloosanews.com, or at 205-722-0196.