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Saban: 5-star recruit ‘basically quit’ on Alabama

Field Level Media

September 19, 2019 at 5:44 pm.

Alabama’s Nick Saban says former five-star recruit Antonio Alfano “basically quit” on the Crimson Tide.

“I just know that the guy basically quit. He quit going to class, he quit coming here (football complex),” the coach said Wednesday. “We tried to encourage him, we tried to help him. We set up counseling sessions with him to help him every way we could, and all those things are still available to him if he wants them. But he didn’t respond to any of the things. So until he responds, you have to assume the guy quit.”

A true freshman, Alfano has not practiced with the team since Sept. 3, two days before Alabama’s 62-10 win against New Mexico State.

The Colonia, N.J., native was suspended for an undisclosed reason for that game and was not on the sideline.

Last week, Alfano’s parents posted a series of tweets to clarify their son’s situation and announced that he had requested to enter the NCAA transfer portal.

“Antonio’s grandmother recently fell very ill and is still fighting on life support. He is very close with her. Since this illness took effect, Antonio has taken it very hard. He has not attended classes and practices,” read one tweet.

The 247Sports composite listed the 6-foot-4, 285-pound Alfano as the No. 5 player in the 2019 recruiting class and the No. 1 strongside defensive end. The Crimson Tide’s 2019 class was ranked No. 1 overall.