TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Nick Saban's first Alabama commitment has finally been cleared to play.

Lineman Kerry Murphy, a highly regarded 2007 signee, received word Monday that the NCAA Clearinghouse had declared him academically eligible to play for the Crimson Tide.

Murphy quickly headed to campus to enroll.

Murphy didn't qualify after becoming the first commitment Saban received after his hiring in January 2007. He missed qualifying again after spending a year at Hargrave Military Academy and re-signing with Alabama.

He stayed another semester at Hargrave and then boosted his grade point average to meet NCAA eligibility standards by taking classes at Cahaba School in Hoover.

Murphy played offensive tackle at Hargrave but could also play nose guard.