SMU ex Alan Ali explains decision to join TCU football rather than chase NFL dreams
Pursuing a professional career this offseason would’ve made sense for Alan Ali. The Keller Timber Creek product spent five seasons at SMU, earning his degree and establishing himself as one of the top offensive linemen in the American Athletic Conference.
Ali received an invite to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, an all-star event for aspiring NFL players, and could have tested those waters.
Instead, Ali opted to take advantage of the NCAA freezing eligibility during the 2020 season amid the COVID-19 pandemic and followed his former SMU coaches to TCU for the 2022 season.
“My mind was set on going to the NFL this year, but when I really looked into it and saw how many guys were coming out, I thought the smartest move was to come back and play another year of college,” Ali said. “I wanted to play at the Power Five level and it just worked out with Coach Dykes going to TCU.”
Ali also mentioned staying with strength coach Kaz Kazadi and offensive line coach AJ Ricker as significant reasons for his transfer.
Of course, Ali knows his decision will put him on both sides of the Iron Skillet rivalry between TCU and SMU. Ali laughed when asked if he hoped to now “plant” TCU’s flag on SMU’s field when the rivalry is played Sept. 24 at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas.
“I wasn’t part of that,” Ali said, with a chuckle. “But if they want to ...”
Ali went on to say: “It’ll be weird for me walking back into Ford to play. I love those guys, love that program. That was the biggest game for us. I’m excited to play my old teammates and play one more game in that stadium.”
What position Ali will be playing when that game occurs is to be determined. Ali, who is 6-foot-4, 305 pounds, has experience playing every offensive line position.
He played offensive tackle last season, spending most of his time at left tackle with a couple of games at right. Ali fared well by earning All-AAC second-team honors. He started all 10 games at center in 2020.
Ali believes he projects best as an interior linemen at the next level. He feels center may be his best position but he’s open to playing wherever he’s told. TCU returns an All-Big 12 center in Steve Avila, although Avila has experience playing guard and tackle too.
“It really doesn’t matter to me,” Ali said. “Wherever the coaches need me this year, I’ll play.”
At the end of the day, Ali called it “a dream come true” to be playing for his hometown team. He’s received a number of messages since announcing his decision last week.
As much as he enjoyed playing at SMU, he believes TCU provides an opportunity to face higher-level talent on a weekly basis in the Big 12. That, in turn, should provide him with better film for NFL scouts.
“The more film, the better film, the better chance you have to get drafted,” said Ali, who was rated as a three-star prospect coming out of Timber Creek. “It was kind of a no-brainer to come to a school like this.”
TCU will start its spring practices on March 22 with the spring scrimmage scheduled for Friday, April 22 at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
This story was originally published January 13, 2022 at 5:30 AM.
