How did Dayne Shor go from hopeful 3-year-old to Alabama commit?

Dayne Shor and his father talked into the wee hours. They’d go back and forth on every scenario. They talked about everything.

The present, the past and the future were all heavy topics. The Shors are a football family. Shor’s grandfather, father and brother all played high school football. They are well versed in the sport.

Shor started early. He began watching football when he was about 3 years old. He never looked back after that. Shor feels his family dynamic and value system helped mold him into the player he has become.

“Growing up, football was in my family,” Shor said. “I’m the first one to make it this far in my family. The way I was raised, I was just ready to work hard and ready to give it all that I’ve got. I feel like the way my parents raised me translated to the field; my love for the game and all that good stuff.”

The conversations about his future began taking place during Shor’s youth football days. College football was on the mind of the younger Shor before his college commitment on Saturday.

“I started watching football when I was about 3-years-old,” Shor said. “That’s when I knew this was something I wanted to do. I just remember every night going through the youth football phase and even in high school, we would talk about my what my future would look like. It could be an hour conversation or a three-hour conversation. We just talked for hours and hours about what my goals and my dreams are. I feel like that paid off.”

Shor’s planned and calculated college choice

The Denmark High School (Georgia) senior has announced he’ll play college football for Nick Saban at Alabama.

The late-night conversations with his father laid the foundation for Shor’s decision.

“All those conversations that we had have come true,” Shor said. “We did a lot of prayer and I just feel like those types of conversations go a long way. It flows through you spiritually.”

Shor still remembers receiving his first scholarship offer from Georgia Tech. Denmark’s former head coach Terry Crowder, pulled Shor aside before a practice in late October of 2019.

Since then, nearly 40 offers have poured in. Shor has traveled the country in search of the right fit. In earnest, Shor enjoyed the process. Other than his first offer, meeting the numerous head coaches has been the most memorable part of his recruitment.

“Being able to meet all these coaches on my visits, getting to sit down and talk to them,” Shor said. “I’ve met Nick Saban, Mario Christobal, Josh Heupel and Lincoln Riley. It’s a big deal.”

The relief will pour over the senior now that his commitment is public.

“It still doesn’t feel real,” Shor said. “It’s definitely a relief as well just because I get to focus on my senior year and not have the recruiting on my shoulders as much. I’m really excited about it.”

Alabama championship culture a no brainer for Shor

Shor chose to commit to Alabama over Auburn, Georgia, Tennessee, Oregon, Oklahoma, Florida and Texas A&M.

The Crimson Tide’s strong culture and deeply experience coaching staff won over the 6’6” 285-pound tackle.

Doug Marrone will take over as Alabama’s offensive line coach after spending the last four years as the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“I chose Alabama because the culture there is different,” Shor said. “Having a lot of conversations with coach Saban and coach (Doug) Marrone. I mean, coach Marrone just came from the NFL. He knows what the NFL wants in an offensive lineman. Bill O’Brien is a great offensive mind. I love the people there as well. What they had to offer me was great. It was a brainless thought to choose Alabama.”

The Saban effect was a factor as well for Shor. Alabama’s head coach has seven national championships to his credit as a head coach. Six of those have come in Tuscaloosa.

“I feel strongly passionate about being able to play for Nick Saban,” Shor said. “Not many people get to say that. I’m very honored and very blessed to be able to be in a situation to play for a coach like him and be a part of a program of this caliber.”

Familiar faces to reunite with Shor in Alabama

Shor’s time at IMG Academy introduced him to two future offensive line partners. J.C. Latham, signed with Alabama as a member of the class of 2021.

Tyler Booker committed to the Crimson Tide on July 16. Booker and Shor speak on a regular basis. They were both in Tuscaloosa for their official visits on June 25.

“I know Tyler (Booker), we’re pretty close, we had the same official,” Shor said. “We talked a little bit on our official visit. I feel like we can do some really good things. We also have J.C. Latham, so the trio will be together again.”

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