Alabama offered a football scholarship to eighth grade linebacker Jesus Machado on Monday, his high school head coach Dennis Marroquin told ESPN.com.
It's not the first time and certainly not the last time a young prospect has been offered a scholarship, but it is still a very rare occurrence.
The Crimson Tide aren't the only ones interested in the 6-foot, 195-pound defensive prospect from Hialeah (Florida) Champagnat Catholic School. In addition to his new Alabama offer, Machado also has verbal offers from Iowa State, Michigan State, NC State and West Virginia.