University of Alabama running back Dee Hart will miss the 2011 season after injuring his knee on Tuesday. Hart’s former high school coach, Riki Smith, told the Orlando Sentinel that Hart will have surgery on Thursday to repair his ACL:
Dee Hart Knee Injury Knocks Alabama Five-Star RB Out For 2011
“He’s good, you know Dee,” Smith said. “If that had to happen to any of our kids, that’s who I’d rather it happened to because he has the right mindset to bounce back. The trainer told him ‘ok, you have surgery on Thursday and can start rehab next week’ and Dee said ‘what about Friday?’”
Alabama officials had yet to officially confirm the injury, but Hart will likely be out at least seven to 10 months while he goes through rehabilitation. That would mean the freshman would miss the entire 2011 season even under the most optimistic timeline.
Hart rushed for 2,224 yards and scored 50 touchdowns during his record-breaking senior season at Dr. Phillips high school. He was one of the prized recruits of Alabama's No. 1-ranked 2011 recruiting class and was expected to compete for playing time. Hart's absence leaves Alabama with only three scholarship running backs: Trent Richardson, Eddie Lacy and Jalston Fowler. Only Richardson, a Heisman Trophy contender, has played significant minutes.
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