College Sports

TUSCALOOSA — University of Alabama senior linebacker and Wedowee native Ezekial Knight has been medically disqualified for the 2008 football season, it was announced in a Wednesday press release by the school.

"Zeke Knight has been medically disqualified based on a medical condition that we cannot disclose due to student privacy laws," Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban said in the release. "He has had extensive medical evaluations by numerous physicians, all of which concluded that it was in his best interest to no longer play football."

The news comes one day after an Associated Press report said that Knight was seeking to play football for a smaller school. Faulkner University was mentioned as a possible destination for Knight, who is set to graduate from Alabama in August.

Faulkner coach Jim Nichols told the Birmingham News that Knight spoke with him about enrolling at the school, according to the AP report.

Knight played in all 13 games in 2007, starting 11 at outside linebacker. He was sixth on the team with 64 tackles. He also recorded two interceptions, 11 tackles for loss and three sacks.

With Knight now out of the lineup, coupled with the graduations of Darren Mustin and Keith Saunders, sophomore Rolando McClain enters the season as the lone returning starter at linebacker.

"Zeke is a fine young man and we appreciate all that he has done for this program," Saban said.

"Zeke did a great job for us as a starter last year and, more importantly, is on track to graduate in August. I would like nothing more than to have him with us for one more season on the football field, but unfortunately that won't be the case after consulting with the doctors and medical staff on numerous occasions. I wish him and his family nothing but the best. Zeke Knight will always be a part of the Crimson Tide family."