Four-star offensive lineman Micah DeBose, who recently committed to Alabama, has transferred from Vigor to Theodore. (John O’Dell/Call News)
By ARTHUR L. MACK
Four-star offensive lineman Micah DeBose transferred from Vigor to Theodore because he wants to graduate early, his mother said on Thursday.
DeBose (6-5, 315), who is rated the nation’s No. 9 interior offensive lineman in On3’s latest composite, committed to Alabama last weekend and had given no indication he was going to leave the Wolves, who return 17 starters and will be among the favorites to win the Class 5A state title.
However, DeBose’s mother said he transferred because he wants to graduate high school early and enroll at Alabama early. The firing of Vigor coach Markus Cook two weeks ago may have also been a factor in DeBose’s decision.
“He just wanted to graduate from high school early so he could get to Alabama early,” his mother, Shalimar DeBose-Chapman, told the Call News. “If it was just about football, he would’ve stayed (at Vigor). We knew it would be a big decision — it was really about education.”
DeBose’s option to graduate high school early could also have been complicated by the fact Vigor is one of 206 priority or failing schools in the state.
Bobcats coach Steve Mask said he was caught off guard by DeBose’s decision and added the transfer was completed properly.
“I was surprised he decided to transfer to Theodore,” Mask said. “His parents strictly did this for the education. … His parents did it the right way and we did it the right way. … I’m excited about him coming here. … I haven’t seen Micah yet but there’s no doubt he’s a legitimate prospect. I watched him on tape and there’s a reason he’s committed to Alabama.”
In an interview with the Call News shortly before Cook was fired, DeBose said the Wolves are aiming for a Blue Map.
“The end all and be all is to win state because we’ve worked way too hard and we’re still working,” DeBose said. “It’s constantly a non-stop thing. We want to win state. We’re going to win state.”
DeBose has started since he was in the eighth grade and is going into his fifth year of high school football.
Vigor, which is still searching for a new coach with the start of preseason practice only a month away, recently welcomed transfer quarterback Sammy Dunn from Bayside Academy, then lost Cook and now DeBose.
