McElwain reaffirms Stanford commitment

Alabama fullback Bailey McElwain thought his college football plans were set in stone before a curveball was thrown his way in early February.

Originally a class of 2016 prospect, McElwain intended to postpone his enrollment at Stanford, to which he committed last summer, and enroll in prep school for a year.

But days after Signing Day, 2016, Vanderbilt extended McElwain a scholarship offer.

Not only did the Commodores offer the opportunity to continue his career at a prestigious academic institution closer to home. Vanderbilt also provided a chance for McElwain to enroll in college in 2016 rather than 2017 - as the only true fullback on the Commodore roster.

"All throughout I pretty much planned on gong to Stanford and then Vanderbilt came in - I think it was a couple of days after Signing Day," McElwain said. "They're really interested in me. They really expressed interest in me playing fullback for them and being the only guy that plays fullback there. Honestly they were willing to change their offense because (Vanderbilt offensive coordinator) Coach Ludwig just came from Wisconsin where he had the I-formation, running the ball - (somewhat like) Stanford. They like my skill set and everything so they ended up offering me."

McElwain ended up taking an official visit to Nashville in mid-February. But after considering his options, he decided to stick with the Cardinal. The three-star standout determined that he couldn't pass up what Stanford has to offer.

"It was a great opportunity to play next year, play right away," McElwain said of Vanderbilt.

"It's hard to turn down Stanford. I love Stanford. So I'm going to take this into 2017 and I'm committed 100 percent."

McElwain will spend the 2016-2017 academic year at a school very familiar to Stanford football. He will follow in the footsteps of freshman defensive lineman Wesley Annan and 2016 defensive end signee Thomas Schaffer at Lake Forest Academy in Illinois. McElwain has already been admitted into Lake Forest.

"It's exciting," McElwain said. "It's definitely a new culture. Just like out west, it's a different culture than down south or out west. It will be a really good travel experience, but first I'm going to (attend to) the academics, and they've set me up for success there. It's kind of like a high school version of Stanford, if you want to say. All of their classes are pretty much Advanced Placement throughout. (It will be) tough."

McElwain will also continue his gridiron development at Lake Forest under coach Robin Bowkett.

"I'll get to play football," McElwain said. "I love Coach Bowkett - he's the head coach. We've built a relationship since probably around November. We've been talking almost every day, pretty much. He's going to be my head coach for the next year. I've really enjoyed getting to know him and getting to know the place there."

McElwain expects that he will play both ways for Lake Forest - as a fullback/h-back type on offense and a linebacker on defense. Lake Forest runs "pretty much the same" offense and a similar defense to what McElwain was accustomed to at Hewitt-Trussvile High School, so the transition should be seamless.

There's "no big-time change for me, actually," McElwain said.

As McElwain has ironed out the next steps of his life, he's continue to maintain a strong relationship with his future coaches at Stanford.

"It's great," McElwain said. "Nothing has changed except positive growth. I have no doubt in my mind that will be a place for me."

The Alabama native will take a return trip to The Farm next weekend for the Cardinal's Junior Day. He's already helping Stanford build its 2017 class; Walker Little, Wyatt Davis, Salvon Ahmed, Jaelan Phillips are among the uncommitted prospects on McElwain's recruiting list. He was also in touch with Stuart Head and Sione Lund before they committed committed, as well as tight end pledges Colby Parkinson and Tucker Fisk.

"I actually started our group chat for 2017, so we have that rolling," McElwain said. "I think that started to be a tradition at Stanford, having that group chat. I think it's definitely a good persuasive unit for the guys that are uncommitted, still deciding, as well as commits. So I think that's a great tool to use in our process. So I started that up and put some commits in there.

"I've gotten to know those guys and have started recruiting. It's going great. We've put together a good class. It's going to be a small class this year."

In addition to the Vanderbilt offer, McElwain received an offer from Jacksonville State and interest from Ole Miss, Boise State, Michigan State, Alabama.