By By Mark Etheridge / special to The Star
Aug. 13, 2002
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. Former Philadelphia High School football standout Marquez Dupree has left the University of Alabama football team.
Alabama head coach Dennis Franchione made that announcement on Monday. Dupree was not available for comment. Franchione issued a brief statement following Monday's afternoon practice, "Marquez Dupree left the team for personal reasons."
The 6-foot, 220-pound fullback was expected to provide depth for Alabama
in 2002. His departure comes on the heels of the announcement that Alabama's
returning starter at fullback, junior Donnie Lowe, was forced to leave the team for medical reasons. Lowe failed a physical Friday after suffering his third concussion during spring training. Lowe's absence appeared to open up an opportunity for Dupree to earn some playing time.
Instead, just days after Lowe's announcement, Dupree leaves the Tide squad.
A highly recruited tailback coming out of high school, Dupree could not fight his way to the top in a crowded Crimson Tide backfield. After a sitting out 2001 as a redshirt, Dupree was moved to fullback during spring practice.
The son of high school phenom and University of Oklahoma star Marcus Dupree, the younger Dupree rushed for 1,305 yards and 17 touchdowns as a high school senior. He was a three-time All-State pick and earned high school All-America honors in both 1999 and 2000.
Alabama's declining numbers at fullback make Franchione's spring decision to combine the tight end and fullback positions into a flexible position called "W" a wise one. Converted tight end Theo Sanders (6-3, 248 pounds) and true freshman converted linebacker Greg McLain (6-2, 246) lead the now-depleted depth chart. Another potential option, Marvin Brown, failed to meet academic requirements. Brown, who would have had one year of eligibility remaining, was drafted in the NFL Supplemental Draft. He is currently in training camp with the Baltimore Ravens.