Rogers column: Cory Reamer steps up for Alabama

OXFORD, Miss. — Somehow, Cory Reamer resisted the temptation to scream, “How ya like me now?”

His teammates liked him just fine before Saturday’s SEC showdown with Ole Miss. But the overachieving outside linebacker had one of his best games and earned the praise — and respect — of his head coach after the Tide rocked the Rebels 22-3.

The senior from Hoover made four tackles, one for a loss of three yards, got a quarterback hurry against Jevan Snead, forced and recovered a fumble from vaunted Rebel return specialist Dexter McCluster, and blocked a punt.

“He’s probably the best core special teams player that we have,” Saban said, noting Reamer plays on nearly every special team.

Reamer also returned to his Sam linebacker spot, a week after he moved inside to fill the void left by Dont’a Hightower’s season-ending knee injury.

“He’s playing more defense now and he’s doing a really good job,” said Saban, who has stopped being surprised by what Reamer does on the field.

Not that Reamer’s production was expected when Saban arrived two years ago. Reamer was a safety with very little upside in Saban’s defensive scheme that demands speed in the secondary.

“For a guy that was a safety that, to be honest, I didn’t know if he’d ever play here, he’s played a lot of good football for us over the last two years,” Saban said. “Especially now that his role has increased, he’s elevated his game tremendously.”

His first big play came when Ole Miss had to punt out of its end zone with about five minutes left in the first half and Alabama leading just 6-0.

“We hadn’t seen their bulldog formation they got in all season,” Reamer said of an earlier punt. “Once they showed us that, we knew we were going to come after it when we had them pinned back deep. Nobody blocked me. I really can’t take too much credit for it. I came free. Nobody touched me. I wish I could have kept it behind the line so we’d have scored.”

Instead, Alabama took over at the Rebel 5 but had to settle for three points.

The Tide led 16-3 in the third quarter when McCluster got past the first wave on a punt return. Reamer made another play.

“He had run past a lot of guys and was about ready to break free,” Reamer said. “I laid a good lick on him and he pretty much handed me the ball. It fell right in my lap. That was a big play for us to get the ball back, field position-wise.”

Alabama took over on the 40 and tacked on another three points that made it 19-3.

Linebacker Rolando McClain said he isn’t surprised by anything the senior does.

“Reamer always makes big plays. He’s always in the right spot at the right time,” McClain said. “He does a good job. I don’t have to worry about Reamer. He knows what to do.”

Offensive lineman Mike Johnson said Reamer is always around the football.

“Cory just flies around the field,” Johnson said. “He’s one of those guys that’s just a playmaker. He was that way in high school. ... You can’t say enough
about guys that just have a nose for the ball. That’s what Cory does.”

Reamer has heard for years that he wouldn’t play for Alabama, let alone contribute.

“It was something I took personally,” Reamer said. “I take a lot of pride in going out there and going to work every day — day in and day out to prove that I can be a part of this team.

“Know what? It’s paying rewards right now.”