Waiting game ends: Fanney joins Lions

FLORENCE - He's changed schools but the goal remains the same for Brandon Fanney.

The former Alabama linebacker arrived in Florence on Sunday evening and told Lions coach Terry Bowden he wants to play his final season at North Alabama.

"I came here to win a national championship," Fanney said. "That was always my goal at Alabama. I'll be playing for UNA now, but winning that national championship is still my goal."

Fanney ranked third on the Crimson Tide in 2008 with 66 total tackles and had one sack. He was suspended for the beginning of spring practice by Tide coach Nick Saban, but later returned. When Alabama reported for practice last week, Saban said that Fanney would not be part of the team.

Fanney, who graduated from Alabama on Saturday, said he met with Saban several times since the spring to discuss his future.

"It was just a difference of opinion with me and coach," he said. "It was nothing bad, but we both felt like it would be best for me to transfer to another school. He talked about coach Bowden and what kind of school UNA was. He said I would still have NFL scouts looking at me here. Coach Saban is a heck of a coach and we parted on good terms."

A native of Morristown, Tenn., Fanney signed with Alabama in 2004. He redshirted in 2005 and played in just one game in 2006. He played in 10 games and had seven tackles in 2007, but started all 14 games last season. He recorded nine tackles for losses and one sack.

Fanney will play defensive end at UNA, which is very similar to the linebacker position he played at Alabama.

"I'm looking forward to getting started," Fanney said. "I'll have to catch up a little on conditioning, but I'm in pretty good shape. I'm thankful to coach Bowden for giving me this opportunity to play my final season here. I've heard a lot about UNA from different people and I'm ready to do whatever I can to help win a national championship here."

Bowden said the 6-foot-5, 260-pound Fanney was exactly the type of player the Lions had been looking for.

"Defensive end is one of the most difficult positions to find players and it is the position we needed the most," Bowden said. "We needed someone with size and athletic ability to put pressure on the quarterback. Brandon can do that and also be a standup outside linebacker if we need him there. What impresses me the most is that Brandon was the third leading tackler on such an outstanding defense at Alabama last year. He still has to prove himself here, but we're excited to have Brandon here."

Bowden said Fanney will spend today getting his physical and filling out paperwork. He hopes to have him on the field Tuesday, although Fanney must practice in shorts for five days. UNA will practice in pads for the first time today.

The Lions also added former Florida State running back Jamal Edwards on Sunday. Edwards will have one year of eligibility remaining.

Jeff McIntyre can be reached at 740-5737 or jeff.mcintyre@timesdaily.com.