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Alabama running back Dee Hart (1) high steps as he celebrates a hard tackle during the second quarter of the no. 1 Alabama vs Arkansas NCAA football game, Saturday, October 19, 2013, at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Vasha Hunt/vhunt@al.com)

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- Dee Hart's fresh start will feature a familiar face.

The former Alabama running back will continue his football career at Colorado State, according to a Wednesday report from the Orlando Sentinel. The Rams are led by third-year coach Jim McElwain, who was Alabama's offensive coordinator when Hart signed with the Crimson Tide in 2011.

Hart was en route to Fort Collins, Colorado, when he confirmed the news to the Sentinel. According to the report, Hart will be immediately eligible after collecting his degree at Alabama.

Hart, a former five-star prospect, left the Crimson Tide after January's Sugar Bowl. One month later, he was arrested in Tuscaloosa on charges of marijuana possession and providing a false name to law enforcement.

Hart, who starred alongside former Alabama All-American safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix at Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, redshirted his first season after tearing his ACL during an offseason workout. Five games into 2012, Hart suffered another serious knee injury while fielding a punt.

Seeing the field in 12 of 13 games last season, Hart ran for 84 yards and collected his first career touchdown. He was also a 5-foot-9, 187-pound spark plug on special teams, where he levied a number of big hits and finished with nine tackles.

Hart was back in his home town this summer, as the photo below illustrates.