Dareus not missing a beat despite shaky NCAA status

His status remains up in the air. When Nick Saban is asked about defensive lineman Marcell Dareus, he nearly always says there’s nothing new to report.

Less than two weeks before the opening kickoff, Dareus is working just as hard as any player in Alabama’s training camp.
And even while he may or may not play against San Jose State on Sept. 4, Dareus hasn’t let up — in practice or in the locker room.

The 6-3, 306-pound Dareus was one of the leaders in last Monday’s players-only, clear-the-air meeting after the morning practice.

And even in the Fan Day workout, the only session open to media, Dareus looked dominant.

After Dareus routinely blew through tackle D.J. Fluker, center William Vlachos had to practically tackle him just so the quarterbacks could get a play off.

The most valuable defensive player of the BCS National Championship Game, Dareus has been off-limits to reporters since his name surfaced in an NCAA investigation this summer.

Dareus reportedly attended an agent’s party in Miami this spring.

“The investigation has been done,” Saban said. “The NCAA will make a decision. We respect the way they handled this whole investigation. Our compliance department has done a fabulous job.”

But while the wait continues for a ruling on Dareus’ eligibility, teammates continue to find ways to slow him down.

“He’s a beast,” tight end Michael Williams said this spring.

“I think Marcell is one of a kind,” linebacker Dont’a Hightower said. “I don’t think you’re going to see too many people to ever play the game like he can with the engine and the speed and the velocity he has. He’s truly probably one of the best players I’ve ever seen.”

Instead of hanging his head, Saban said Dareus has continued to be one of the Tide’s hardest workers. He’s also embraced a leadership role.

“Marcell really hasn’t shown a lot of signs of a guy that’s not focused on the right things when it comes to what he needs to do to be a good football player individually,” Saban said.

“But he’s also been pretty selfless in trying to influence and impact especially the other guys in his group.  I think his example has been good, and he’s played fairly well.”

Dareus made four tackles in Saturday’s scrimmage at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Saban said he wants Dareus to lose some weight.

“I think he would be even more effective,” the coach said. “He’s not been a guy that has shown a lot of signs of being distracted and not trying to do things the right way, even though there are some circumstances out there that could affect his future.”

Dareus said last spring that coaches stressed leaving last season behind.

“We talked about making a legacy of our own,” Dareus said. “We can’t live off last year’s team. We’ve got to start our own path, and we’ve got to do it ourselves.”

He knew it would be a challenge with so many new faces on defense.

“Man, it’s like everybody has to step up at once,” the junior from Birmingham said.

Saban said it is important that Dareus stay focused on his future.

“Whenever his circumstances are determined as to when he can play, he has to be prepared and have a great year,” Saban said. “I think it’s important for his future, I think it’s important for our team, and Marcell is a team guy.

“He’s on the leadership group and he sets a great example in terms of his effort, his toughness, his attention to detail, execute and do his job well and finish plays.”

The coach added that Dareus knows he put himself in this situation.

“He’s going to have to live with the consequences if there are consequences,” Saban said. “There will be a day when he’s allowed to play football again — it may be very soon — and he needs to prepare himself to take advantage of that.”