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Alabama practice report: Tide begins spring workouts - The Anniston Star: Sports
--In the way-too-early offensive line talk, the first group had Dominick Jackson working at right tackle, Bradley Bozeman at right guard, Ryan Kelly at center, Alphonse Taylor at left guard and Cam Robinson at left tackle
. --With Jones injured, Eddie Jackson and Tony Brown were the first two cornerbacks up during drills. Marlon Humphrey and Bradley Sylve worked behind them.
--Unlike last year, all five quarterbacks are participating in spring practice. Jake Coker led the drills with Cooper Bateman, Alec Morris, David Cornwell and Blake Barnett following him.
--Rising sophomore Shaun Dion Hamilton worked next to Reggie Ragland in the first inside linebacker group. He's wearing No. 20. Reuben Foster was in the second group.
Not many surprises here. The OL will be shuffled all spring and the QB competition is wide open. Somewhat interesting that Hamilton enters camp ahead of Foster though.
Starting cornerback Cyrus Jones rode the exercise bike in a non-contact jersey next to first-team linebacker Denzel Devall. Neither, Saban said, are likely to practice all spring. Offensive lineman Grant Hill was not spotted and Saban said he was on "medical leave."
While it's never good to hear that a player is likely to miss the whole camp, Devall and Jones have been in the system long enough that you just want to make sure they are healthy in the fall. Grant Hill's situation doesn't sound good at all, however. I get the sense that his season could be in doubt.
Watch video of Nick Saban wrapping up day one of spring practice | AL.com
Nick Saban met with the media after the first spring practice of the 2015 season, discussing new quarterback Blake Barnett, returning quarterback Jacob Coker and many others. Watch the video above for the full press conference, and see photo below in the gallery.
Good friend Marq Burnett hits the high points for you:
Saban: There was a lot of energy and enthusiasm in this first practice. Said it'll give the players a snap shot of where they are.
— Marquavius Burnett (@Marq_Burnett) March 13, 2015
Saban said he wants Alabama to get back to being a team other teams don't like to play because of how relentless they are.
— Marquavius Burnett (@Marq_Burnett) March 13, 2015
Saban said Kenyan Drake ran a 4.4 when they timed him. Said Drake is getting his speed back, but can't sustain it yet. He's progressing tho
— Marquavius Burnett (@Marq_Burnett) March 13, 2015
Saban on Blake Barnett: "A guy who comes here with high accolades, but that's one of the more dangerous things that happens to these guys"
— Marquavius Burnett (@Marq_Burnett) March 13, 2015
Saban: Bo Scarbrough will be a RB. Said they don't like moving young players around too much.
— Marquavius Burnett (@Marq_Burnett) March 13, 2015
And I'm sure everyone is shocked that Saban is already sick of QB questions:
Saban asked about Coker: "We've only had one practice. You guys like to act like we've been practicing every day illegally in the offseason"
— Marquavius Burnett (@Marq_Burnett) March 13, 2015
First look at Blake Barnett, Alabama QBs as Tide open spring practice | AL.com
Alabama opened spring practice Friday. Here is video of freshman quarterback Blake Barnett and the Tide's other quarterbacks.
Your first look at what will be the most talked about position battle in the SEC if not the country.
Last but not least, a little inspiration for you today. Drake is the first one in the drill:
Everything can change in an instant... The time is now. Anxious to be back on the field today since this moment pic.twitter.com/eLJ941yYmG
— Kenyan Drake™ (@KDx17) March 13, 2015
Got a lot of people pulling for you, Kenyan. Roll Tide.