2016 Alabama Football Training Camp Underway
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| Saban Opens Alabama Football's 2016 Training Camp Photo Credit: RollTide.com |
It's here. Really here. Well, maybe no games yet, but football has arrived at the Capstone. The University of Alabama Crimson Tide football team has once again taken to the practice field! Thursday afternoon was the official start of the 2016 training camp, with a two hour practice session in heat and humidity in helmets and shorts on the Thomas-Drew Practice Fields. The first two practices will be shorts and helmets with the next two adding shoulder pads.
So much for the humidity. New Tide defensive line coach Karl Dunbar was actually wearing sweats! Oh wait, this word from defensive lineman Dalvin Thomlinson concerning the sweats, "Oh yeah, he said he might take those off. Yeah it was a hot one out there today and he was sweating just like we were."
Day one of 28 practices got underway yesterday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. CT with the entire squad, minus four individuals (see related story), participating in drills. Alabama head football coach Nick Saban met with the media after Thursday's practice session sharing his thoughts on the look of the team.
Coach Saban addressed the media following the first practice, mentioning that the team will face tremendous challenges this year. He was quick to point out that some of those challenges will involve talented opponents, but some will come from within. The way the off-season seemed to go, with arrests and defections from the team, that could be an understatement.
"When we have a critical mass of players that buy into the team, the principles and values of the team, make good choices and decisions relative to the team, the rules of the team, we seem like we've done pretty well in the past," Saban said.
Of course paramount on the minds of fans and reporters now that practice has begun is how fares the quarterback battle that began last spring. Saban said he would like to see it resolved sooner than later, but that he would not force an early decision.
Quarterback David Cornwell, while participating in yesterday's first day of practice, was limited in his reps. He spent the summer dealing with a foot injury and is still recuperating but working through it.
Concerning the other quarterbacks, Saban said, "I think all three of the other guys have made significant progress throughout the summer. Somebody has got to win the job. Somebody has got to be the leader, the guy that can go out there and execute and win the confidence of his teammates and the players that he plays with on offense. I think we have three guys that are all capable of doing that."
Today is day two in preparation for the Crimson Tide's season opener with the USC Trojans in the AdvoCare Classic at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT and will be aired on the ABC television network. Alabama will enter the contest ranked No. 1 according to the Amway Preseason Coaches Poll released yesterday. Under Saban the Tide has put together 10+ win seasons for eight consecutive years, winning four national championships and four SEC titles. Bama won SEC titles in 2009, 2012, 2014 and 2015. The Crimson Tide captured national championships under Saban in 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2015.
Practices today and Saturday are again scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT. Then Sunday is the annual Fan Day held inside Bryant-Denny Stadium, with the teams 2:30 p.m. practice session open to the public, followed by autographs from the players and coaches beginning at 4:45 p.m. CT and lasting approximately 45 minutes.
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| Cooper Bateman Rolls Out Photo Credit: Tuscaloosa News/Gary Cosby Jr. |
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| QBs Jalen Hurts, Cooper Bateman, Blake Barnett Passing Drills Photo Credit: Tuscaloosa News/Gary Cosby Jr. |
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| Tide Receiver Gehrig Dieter Photo Credit: Tuscaloosa News/Gary Cosby Jr. |
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| Alabama Crimson Tide Head Basketball Coach Avery Johnson Watching Bama's 1st Football Practice Photo Credit: AL.com/Vasha Hunt |
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| Bama's Defensive Backs 1st Practice Photo Credit: AL.com/Vasha Hunt |
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Saban Addresses Media Following First Fall Practice
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| Photo Credit: RollTide.com |
University of Alabama head football coach Nick Saban has had to deal with following the end of spring practice. He had to be an administrator, coach, and father-figure in dealing with several off- field incidents, and took some time yesterday to address them after the first day of fall camp. Among the incidents he discussed was former Alabama defensive back Maurice Smith’s transfer situation.
"I know there's a lot of talk out there and interest about the Maurice Smith deal," Saban stated. "I'm going to say the same thing I said at SEC media day: Nothing has changed. We support the SEC rule of not granting guys' releases to go to other SEC schools. It has been our policy here not to do that unless there was a special circumstance."
Smith has been attempting to transfer to Georgia, and both he and his mother have been quite vocal about the fact that former Alabama wide receiver Chris Black was allowed to transfer in February to the University of Missouri as a graduate transfer. The University released a statement earlier today explaining that Black’s transfer was due to special circumstances, saying a mid-season surgery and the timing of his departure caused a non-renewal of his scholarship. Saban stated that he did not want to discuss the situation any further.
"I think that a lot of young guys right now, they get really, really fearful of their future and it creates a lot of anxiety," commented Saban. "We certainly feel like we can help guys develop here, but if they think that there’s a better way for them, another place, then we’re going to support them in every way that we can to help them do the things they would like to do if they don’t want to be in our program here."
Next came the issue regarding the eligibility of defensive back Tony Brown. Saban said that the University is working with the NCAA but the team is preparing for the season as if his suspension will last several games. Brown is currently facing an indefinite suspension from the NCAA, though many thought the suspension would be limited to six, and then later revised to four games.
Of course there s the recent DUI arrest of offensive lineman Alphonse Taylor was arrested and charged with a DUI, and was promptly indefinitely suspended by Saban. According to more recent reports, however, Taylor blew a 0.00 on the breathalyzer. He participated in practice, and Saban said he isn’t ready yet to make a decision on whether Taylor will miss any games based on that latest development.
Saban said, "Alphonse Taylor has gone through a program – pretty significant program, pretty intense program – and we have cleared him to practice. But we have not made a decision, and it will be based on what he does and how he does it as to whether that suspension that he had will be lifted when the games come."
He then commented on the situation regarding offensive lineman Cam Robinson and defensive back Hootie Jones. Saban reiterated his previous statements that the two have completed what he has asked of them.
Quarterback David Cornwell was limited in his reps yesterday during practice. He had injured his foot awhile back and is still recuperating, but able to practice.
Saban mentioned that runningback Bo Scarbrough was dealing with some cramps during the first part of the practice, but "was fine" once he got loose.
Oh, and when departing the press conference following a few "sorta-friendly" comebacks on the suspension questions, Saban was heard by many to comment (to the media), "Get your ass in gear."
That's coach!
The University of Alabama Crimson Tide will open the 2016 season against the Trojans of Southern Cal on Saturday, September 3rd.
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Tide's Knight & Gillman Fall In U.S. Women's Amateur
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| Cheyenne Knight Photo Credit: RollTide.com |
The trip to the U.S. Women's Amateur ended Thursday for a pair of Alabama ladies.
The Crimson Tide's Cheyenne Knight and Kristen Gillman failed to advance out of the Round of 32 at the U.S. Women's Amateur Thursday at Rolling Green Golf Club in Springfield, Pennsylvania.
Knight lost to No. 12 seed Nasa Hatoka of Japan while Gillman fell to No. 5 seed Katelyn Dambaugh of South Carolina. Teammate Lauren Stephenson also reached match-play competition at the tournament before she was eliminated by UCLA's Bethany Wu in the Round of 64 the previous day.
The Crimson Tide opens the fall portion of its 2016-17 schedule September 16-18 at the Vanderbilt Legends Club in Franklin, Tennessee with the Mason Rudolph Championship.
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Obasohan, Randolph Together Again With Felice Scandone
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| Obasohan & Randolph Photo Credit: RollTide.com |
Obasohan commented, "I am so excited to sign my first professional contract that I am at a loss for words. I talked to coach (Avery) Johnson throughout the process and he really helped guide me along the way. It's funny because coach and I were talking and reminiscing that this time last year, there was no way I would have dreamed about playing in Italy on a first division team in one of the top European leagues. It's a testament to how good God is and how hard work pays off because this past year has given me so many opportunities."
Concerning the opportunity, Randolph said, "It means a lot to sign this contract and have the opportunity to play in Italy. Both mine and Retin's goal is to make it to the NBA and both of us were close to achieving that this summer. We are looking at this opportunity to gain more experience by playing against professionals who have been playing at a high level for a long time. We both have been working hard all summer, and we will continue to push each other to get better."
Obasohan finished his career at Alabama with 1,176 points, ranking 40th in school history, while his 154 career steals ranks eighth in the Bama basketball record books.
Randolph was named an Academic All-American in 2015, Alabama's first such honoree in program history. As a senior in 2014-15, the Madison, Alabama native led the Crimson Tide in scoring (15.4 ppg), assists (2.5 apg), steals (1.5 spg) and minutes played (35.3 mpg). He also ranked second in rebounds per game (5.1 rpg).
Randolph finished his career with the Tide putting up 1,336 points (21st in program history), starting in 118 games (fifth in program history) and coming away with 150 steals (eighth in program history). Additionally, he played in a program record 135 games and also owns the record for consecutive games played, playing every contest during his four-year career.
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4-Star WR Jalen Harris Releases Final Five
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| Jalen Harris Final Five Twitter Photo |
Four-star wide receiver prospect Jaylen Harris out of the state of Ohio has released his "Final Five" schools in which he is interested. The announcement came via Twitter last night.
His top five schools are, in no particular order, Alabama, Tennessee, Ohio State, Michigan State and Penn State.
His tweet read, "Truly Blessed, final 5" followed by a smiley-face emoji with dollar signs for eyes and $ coming out of its mouth.
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Daylon Charlot To Play For Kansas Jayhawks
Just one day after his announcement to leave The University of Alabama football program former Crimson Tide sophomore wide receiver Daylon Charlot has committed to further his football career with the Kansas Jayhawks of the Big 12.
Charlot will have to sit out a year before becoming eligible to play for the Jayhawks due to NCAA transfer rules.
He caught two passes for nine yards during his one season with the Tide, and hails from the state of Louisiana.
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Former Bama OT Charles Baldwin Also Headed To Kansas
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| Former Bama OT Charles Baldwin Photo Credit: AL.com/Vasha Hunt |
Former Alabama offensive lineman Charles Baldwin told 247Sports just this morning that he is joining the Jayhawks, which will reunite him with his former Alabama teammate, Daylon Charlot, a wide receiver. Charlot made his announcement last night.
Alabama head coach Nick Saban dismissed Baldwin from the team back in May over a "rules violation," just four months after the junior college recruit arrived on campus.
