TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – University of Alabama head football coach Nick Saban welcomed 105 players to camp on Thursday afternoon as the Crimson Tide football team prepares for preseason camp, which begins Friday, Aug. 1.



“We are really excited about getting started,” Saban said. “The players report today. There are lots of challenges and opportunities in this season. There are lots of challenges and opportunities for our team.



“The focus on camp, however, should be about getting the details right. Pay attention to details. Focus on what you need to do to be a complete player at your position to create the right kind of habits. The design of camp is to create winnable games with the habits we create by the kind of practice fundamentals that we try incorporate in our practice design.”



The players received equipment and went through a series of strength and conditioning tests on reporting day. Practice officially opens on Friday with a split-squad practice at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Saban also noted that senior wide receiver Will Oakley (Ponte Vedra, Fla.) is not on the 105-man roster due to a stress fracture in his foot that will cause him to miss three weeks of practice. Also, redshirt freshman offensive lineman Patrick Crump (Hoover, Ala.) has left the team for personal reasons.

Saban also added that incoming freshmen Devonta Bolton (Norcross, Ga.), Brandon Lewis (Pleasant Grove, Ala.) and Kerry Murphy (Hoover, Ala.) did not enroll in school due to academic reasons and freshman Jermaine Preyear (Tallahassee, Fla.) has delayed his enrollment until January, 2009 due to a shoulder injury sustained in high school.

The Tide is also scheduled to practice Saturday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. and will participate in the annual Fan Day on Sunday, Aug. 3 at Bryant-Denny Stadium. With the exception of the Fan Day practice, all other team workouts are closed to the public.

Courtesy: Alabama Media Relations