Gross, Crocker, Jennings join Crimson Tide
TUSCALOOSA – How good was signing day for the University of Alabama men’s golf team?
It was so good, in fact, that CollegeGolfCommits.com ranked it the No. 1 signing class in the nation. Alabama added in-state player Michael Crocker of Mobile, Nick Gross and William Jenningsto its roster for the 2024-25 season. All three bring terrific resumes to a squad that will still have talented Nick Dunlap next season.
Crocker, of McGill-Toolen Catholic High School, is the No. 6 ranked boys junior player in Alabama. He is a second-team all-state honoree by the Alabama Golf Association and is the reigning boys state junior champion.
Coach Jay Seawell said he is excited for Crocker to join the Crimson Tide.
“He is the reigning Alabama state junior champion and a multi-sport athlete which is something I love to have,” he said. “He was a quarterback at McGill-Toolen early in his high school career so I think he brings great athleticism to our team. He has a lot of upside that I am really looking forward to tapping into once he arrives on campus.”
Seawell went out of state to land his other two signees. Gross is from Downington West (Pennsylvania) High School and is currently the top-ranked player in his class according to the World Amateur Golf Rankings and No. 2 in the Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings. He’s No. 8 in the Rolex AJGA and No. 16 in the Golfweek junior national rankings.
Gross was a member of the United States 2023 Junior Ryder Cup team and also selected to the 2022 U.S. Presidents Cup team. He reached the quarterfinals of the 2022 U.S. Amateur Championship.
“Nick is one of the top players in all of the United States,” Seawall said. “His awards and records stand for itself and we are certainly excited to have him on board. He’s a great young man who will be an instant impact for our program and we look forward to showcasing that in the fall of 2024.”
Jennings plays at Christ Church High School in Greenville, South Carolina. He currently is No. 11 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, No. 9 in the Golfweek junior national rankings and No. 13 in the Rolex AJGA. This year he was a second-team Rolex Junior All-American. In eight AJGA events this year, he recorded five top-five finishes and six top-20s.
Seawell is well-acquainted with Jennings, whose instructor is Daniel Seawell, Jay Seawell’s brother.
“It’s been a joy to watch him develop as a young player through all these years and now he’s developed into one of the top young golfers in the United States,” Seawell said. “He is going to be an instant impact for us and we’re excited to have him on board. He brings an incredible competitiveness that I believe will have rewards for Alabama men’s golf next fall.”
Gregg Dewalt is the editor of Alabama Golf News
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Featured image of Nick Gross courtesy of PA Prep
