Alabama Football: Practice begins for Fresno State

Alabama football conducted its first practice for Fresno State on Monday afternoon. The team worked in shorts and shells on the Thomas-Drew practice fields.

Monday was day one of game prep for Fresno State but it was no normal Monday. Alabama football must fill as many as five new starter positions this week.

Terrell Lewis and Christian Miller are out for the season. Anfernee Jennings and Rashaan Evans have “significant” injuries and are classified as “questionable.” Safety Hootie Jones was also limited in the Monday practice.

Practice notes from the media viewing period

• Josh Jacobs had limited activity in drills and appeared to be no closer to a return than he was at the end of last week.
• Raekwon Davis was back practicing with the first group defensive line. Davis played sparingly against FSU but recorded a sack.
• Offensive analyst, Chris Weinke has received NCAA approval to coach players on the field during Mike Locksley’s absence. Locksley is dealing with the tragic shooting death of a son last weekend.
• Freshman defensive end LaBryan Ray was working with the outside linebackers. Ray is listed at 6-feet-5 and 272 pounds. He could be an option a jack linebacker, filling in for Anfernee Jennings.
• Other possible outside linebackers, Mack Wilson, Keith Holcombe and Dylan Moses continued to work with inside linebackers.
• The rep line at outside linebacker was Jamey Mosley, Mehki Brown, VanDarius Cowan, Chris Allen, Ben Davis and Ray. Davis was wearing a scout team jersey which suggests he is down the pecking order in finding replacements for Lewis and Miller.
• There was no change in the first group offensive line during drills.

Players of the Week

Earlier in the day, players of the week against FSU were announced.

Offense: Damien Harris and Calvin Ridley

Defense: Shaun Dion Hamilton and Levi Wallace

Specialists: Keaton Anderson, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Thomas Fletcher and Damien Harris

The season-ending injuries to Christian Miller and Terrell Lewis are a big blow to the 2017 Crimson Tide. The tweets below reflect the determination and character of the two young men.

All Alabama football fans will look forward to the return of Miller and Lewis in 2018. While they will not be eligible for NCAA review for quite some time, both would have good chances at favorable medical redshirt rulings.

Next: 30 Great Tide Players who were 3-Star Recruits

Check in with us often as we follow the Alabama football process of choosing new starters for the Fresno State game. The Tide will open the home season Saturday afternoon at 2:30 PM CST in Bryant-Denny.