Alabama football returned to the practice field Friday afternoon, beginning preparation for Clemson. DC Jeremy Pruitt was not present for the opening session.
Alabama football fans may be displeased Jeremy Pruitt was not present for the first CFP Playoff practice. In fairness to Pruitt, it was announced he would not be fully available for his Crimson Tide duties until the NCAA Dead Period for recruiting begins on December 18th.
Helping with the inside linebackers on Friday was Shaun Dion Hamilton. The very intelligent Hamilton knows the Tide defense as well as anyone, and his practice field involvement is a fair substitute for Pruitt.
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The big four of the Tide’s formerly injured group, Piersbacher, Miller, Wilson and Lewis appeared to be close to fully healed. Relegated to stationary bikes on the sideline were LaBryan Ray, Miller Forristall and Brandon Kennedy. Ray is expected to be ready for a regular practice routine after Christmas.
Nick Saban Comments
After practice, Nick Saban spoke with the media. Here’s a short summary.
- First three Clemson practices will focus on fundamentals.
- Coach Pruitt will return to Tuscaloosa on Sunday.
- 13 new University of Alabama graduates from the new team, plus former players Glen Coffee and Rolando McClain.
- Two new guys will practice with the team, Jarez Parks and Saivion Smith. They will not be able to play against Clemson.
- Confirmed the new hire of Pete Golding and as the newly NCAA approved 10th assistant. Golding cannot coach on the field until January 9th.
- Christian Miller and Terrell Lewis are a full go for practice. Mack Wilson is close but not 100 percent.
- Coaching intern, Wes Neighbors is helping on the field in Jeremy Pruitt’s absence.
- The new Early Signing Period is very stressful … some players are being pressured to sign early during the coaching transitions at many schools … coaches are not happy with it … but we are dealing with it and letting players decide when they want to make a decision.
- Been focused on recruiting so now we go back to being focused on football.
- On Clemson- the team is very much like last season but Kelly Bryant is a better runner than DeShaun Watson.
Alabama football will practice for six more sessions before taking a break for Christmas after Dec. 22nd.
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As much as Nick said his several day focus on recruiting had now turned to football, he must do both. He left the post-practice media activity and went directly to a recruiting dinner for weekend visitors.