Alabama redshirt junior offensive lineman Bradley Bozeman will make his third career start at center this evening as the No. 1-ranked Crimson Tide opens its season against No. 20 USC. But this start just means more to Bozeman.

The Roanoke, Ala., native shared his feelings of being Alabama’s opening starter at center via Instagram.

“Since I was 6 years old I remember dreaming of going to play football at the University of Alabama,” Bozeman said via Instagram. “That’s all I ever wanted to do, in school when teachers asked ‘what do you want to be when you grow up?’ It was always play football for me. This game is more than just a game to me, this game is my dream and my life.

“So much blood, sweat, and tears go into this game to just go through the motions. I have waited for this moment for 15 years, dreaming and visualizing this very moment and it’s finally here! Thank you to all the people that have believed in me, given me an opportunity, and those who never gave up on me. I couldn’t have even gotten close to this moment without any of you!”

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Bozeman sustained an ACL injury during his senior football season in 2012 and was destined for a grayshirt season in 2013 before joining the Tide in January of 2014. But things turned in Bozeman’s favor, and he was able to enroll at Alabama in the summer of 2013 and fulfill the first part of his childhood dream. He redshirted in 2013 to allow his ACL to fully heal.

In 2014, as a redshirt freshman, Bozeman started two games against Arkansas and Texas A&M in place of injured starter Ryan Kelly. He moved back to center a little more than a week ago after working at right guard this fall as his dream comes full circle to start the year as the anchor of the Alabama offensive line. His head coach appreciates Bozeman’s versatility.

“Bradley Bozeman has done a really good job,” head coach Nick Saban said earlier this fall. “I thought he had a really good spring. He’s a tough guy. He really understands. He can play center, guard or tackle for us. So we’re really pleased with the progress he’s made. He gives us a lot of depth at a lot of different positions.”

Bozeman was a three-star prospect in the 2013 recruiting cycle and was the No. 27 offensive guard and No. 16 player in the state of Alabama, according to the industry-generated 247Sports Composite rankings.