University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban released the initial 105-man roster Wednesday afternoon and announced numerous offseason moves after the Crimson Tide reported for fall camp.
As previously reported, senior starting linebacker Brandon Fanney is not back with the team. Saban said that he and 3 other players, linebacker Prince Hall, cornerback Alonzo Lawrence and running back Jermaine Preyear, were not invited back due to violation of team rules.
“These guys didn’t do what they were supposed to do, whether it was for academic reasons or whatever, and they’re not going to be part of the program,” Saban said.
Fanney is still on campus.
“We’re hopeful that he’ll graduate before he leaves,” Saban said.
Fanney started all 14 games last season at Jack, the hybrid linebacker/defensive end position. He was third in team tackles with 66, nine for a loss, and his first career sack. For his career, he’s played in 25 games with 14 starts, with 73 tackles, 9 for a loss, and 6 hurries.
Saban indicated that it will be open competition for his starting job.
“We have other players that we’ll try at that position,” he said. “Eryk Anders has done a good job at the position. We’ll take every linebacker we have on the team, inside and out, and try and make we have the best 4 linebackers on the field relative to their strengths and how they can help our team, that’s 2 inside guys and 2 outside guys.”
The coach reminded reporters that Alabama had just 1 proven linebacker at his spot this time last year, Rolando McClain. Cory Reamer was a last-minute switch from the inside to outside, opening up a spot for Don’t’a Hightower, and Fanney was moved from defensive end.
“Maybe after 8-to-10 practices, maybe after 2 weeks, maybe after 20 practices, at some point in time if some combination of looks like it will be best for our team then that’s when we’ll make a choice and decision about that,” he continued. “But I think we have some good players and some good candidates. There’s lots of opportunity there for a lot of players.”
Hall has already transferred to Central Washington, while Lawrence and Preyear are in the process of looking for new schools.
Center Evan Cardwell (back), linebacker Charlie Kirschman, linebacker Jennings Hester (hamstring), and running back Ivan Matchett have all left the team due to medical reasons.
Defensive back Chris Jackson (Georgia Tech), and linebacker Charlie Higgenbotham (South Alabama) both transferred, primarily in hopes of getting more playing time. Kicker Corey Smith had already transferred to West Virginia.
Four members of the incoming freshman class were not on the roster and will apparently grayshirt and join the team next semester: offensive linemen Darius McKeller and Kellen Williams, defensive lineman Anthony Orr, and linebacker Petey Smith. Williams sustained a knee injury after National Signing Day.
Running back Eddie Lacy received word earlier Thursday that he had cleared the NCAA Clearinghouse and was eligible to report. Both he and defensive lineman Darrington Sentimore were on the roster.
“There are a couple of cases, guys have not completed everything they need to complete,” Saban said. “You have a 14-day window to complete some of that paperwork to get totally clear of NCAA and the Clearinghouse. There could be potential changes down the road.” The SEC Rocks!
As previously reported, senior starting linebacker Brandon Fanney is not back with the team. Saban said that he and 3 other players, linebacker Prince Hall, cornerback Alonzo Lawrence and running back Jermaine Preyear, were not invited back due to violation of team rules.
“These guys didn’t do what they were supposed to do, whether it was for academic reasons or whatever, and they’re not going to be part of the program,” Saban said.
Fanney is still on campus.
“We’re hopeful that he’ll graduate before he leaves,” Saban said.
Fanney started all 14 games last season at Jack, the hybrid linebacker/defensive end position. He was third in team tackles with 66, nine for a loss, and his first career sack. For his career, he’s played in 25 games with 14 starts, with 73 tackles, 9 for a loss, and 6 hurries.
Saban indicated that it will be open competition for his starting job.
“We have other players that we’ll try at that position,” he said. “Eryk Anders has done a good job at the position. We’ll take every linebacker we have on the team, inside and out, and try and make we have the best 4 linebackers on the field relative to their strengths and how they can help our team, that’s 2 inside guys and 2 outside guys.”
The coach reminded reporters that Alabama had just 1 proven linebacker at his spot this time last year, Rolando McClain. Cory Reamer was a last-minute switch from the inside to outside, opening up a spot for Don’t’a Hightower, and Fanney was moved from defensive end.
“Maybe after 8-to-10 practices, maybe after 2 weeks, maybe after 20 practices, at some point in time if some combination of looks like it will be best for our team then that’s when we’ll make a choice and decision about that,” he continued. “But I think we have some good players and some good candidates. There’s lots of opportunity there for a lot of players.”
Hall has already transferred to Central Washington, while Lawrence and Preyear are in the process of looking for new schools.
Center Evan Cardwell (back), linebacker Charlie Kirschman, linebacker Jennings Hester (hamstring), and running back Ivan Matchett have all left the team due to medical reasons.
Defensive back Chris Jackson (Georgia Tech), and linebacker Charlie Higgenbotham (South Alabama) both transferred, primarily in hopes of getting more playing time. Kicker Corey Smith had already transferred to West Virginia.
Four members of the incoming freshman class were not on the roster and will apparently grayshirt and join the team next semester: offensive linemen Darius McKeller and Kellen Williams, defensive lineman Anthony Orr, and linebacker Petey Smith. Williams sustained a knee injury after National Signing Day.
Running back Eddie Lacy received word earlier Thursday that he had cleared the NCAA Clearinghouse and was eligible to report. Both he and defensive lineman Darrington Sentimore were on the roster.
“There are a couple of cases, guys have not completed everything they need to complete,” Saban said. “You have a 14-day window to complete some of that paperwork to get totally clear of NCAA and the Clearinghouse. There could be potential changes down the road.” The SEC Rocks!
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