Alabama Begins Spring Practice

The University of Alabama football team began spring practice on Saturday afternoon with a two-hour workout in shorts and helmets on the Thomas-Drew Practice Fields.

The Crimson Tide welcomed eight mid-year signees to the practice field: Tony Brown (DB), David Cornwell (QB), Shaun Dion Hamilton (LB), Laurence “Hootie” Jones (DB), D.J. Pettway (DL), Jarran Reed (DL), Cam Robinson (OL) and Cam Sims (WR).

Alabama also welcomed three new coaches to the staff with offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Lane Kiffin, special assistant to the head coach and inside linebackers coach Kevin Steele and defensive line coach Bo Davis getting their first on-field look at the 2014 Crimson Tide squad.

The Crimson Tide returns a total of 11 starters on offense and defense and long snapper Cole Mazza.

The UA offense returns seven starters beginning with wide receiver Amari Cooper and running back T.J Yeldon. Alabama welcomes back three starters along the offense line, including right tackle Austin Shepherd, center Ryan Kelly and left guard Arie Kouandjio. Wide receiver and kick returner Christion Jones returns in the slot along with tight end Brian Vogler.

The Tide brings back four starters on the defensive side of the football along with several quality reserves. Middle linebacker Trey DePriest commands the defense while nose tackle Brandon Ivory anchors the defensive line. Alabama also returns two of four safeties who started at least seven games a season ago with the versatile Landon Collins and star Jarrick Williams.

The Crimson Tide will practice three times next week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) before taking a week off for spring break (March 24-28). Alabama then resumes spring practice with the fifth of 15 spring practices on Monday, March 31.

Alabama’s 2014 A-Day Game is scheduled for Saturday, April 19, at 1 p.m. (CDT) inside Bryant-Denny Stadium. The A-Day Game is once again free to the public and will be televised live on ESPNU.