MOBILE, Ala. -- Doug Nussmeier isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel at Alabama.
Yes, he’s a former record-breaking college quarterback who likes to throw the ball around. And, yes, he wants to use AJ McCarron to the best of his abilities. When he talks about the depth and talent at wide receiver, his eyes light up.
There’s a plan formulating in the newly minted Alabama offensive coordinator’s mind, but it’s not one bent on overturning the offensive philosophy that has won the Crimson Tide two national championships in three seasons.
For as much as Nussmeier salivates over the quarterbacks and receivers, he’s shown as much interest in running backs, tight ends and the offensive line.
Prior to a speaking engagement in Mobile on Thursday night, Nussmeier spoke to reporters about the excitement surrounding his first year at the Capstone and the talented roster he’ll have at his disposal. And like any quarterback worth his salt, Nussmeier started his praise with the offensive line.
“When you look at our offensive front, it’s a very veteran group, an experienced group,” Nussmeier said of a line that includes five returning starters and the reigning Outland Trophy winner in Barrett Jones. “They’ve played well together. It’s really good when you can come in and have that kind of strength in your offensive front.
“It’s exciting when you have that kind of group up front that can protect the quarterback and then come off the football and let you run it.”
Yes, he’s a former record-breaking college quarterback who likes to throw the ball around. And, yes, he wants to use AJ McCarron to the best of his abilities. When he talks about the depth and talent at wide receiver, his eyes light up.
There’s a plan formulating in the newly minted Alabama offensive coordinator’s mind, but it’s not one bent on overturning the offensive philosophy that has won the Crimson Tide two national championships in three seasons.
For as much as Nussmeier salivates over the quarterbacks and receivers, he’s shown as much interest in running backs, tight ends and the offensive line.
Prior to a speaking engagement in Mobile on Thursday night, Nussmeier spoke to reporters about the excitement surrounding his first year at the Capstone and the talented roster he’ll have at his disposal. And like any quarterback worth his salt, Nussmeier started his praise with the offensive line.
“When you look at our offensive front, it’s a very veteran group, an experienced group,” Nussmeier said of a line that includes five returning starters and the reigning Outland Trophy winner in Barrett Jones. “They’ve played well together. It’s really good when you can come in and have that kind of strength in your offensive front.
“It’s exciting when you have that kind of group up front that can protect the quarterback and then come off the football and let you run it.”
From now until kickoff in Arlington, Texas, we'll be counting down the days before Alabama and Michigan get the season started. Today, we move to No. 92 and what it means to UA football.
When Alabama and Michigan lace it up on Sept. 1, it will be 120nd time the Crimson Tide will have participated in opening day.
It all began in 1892 when a man by the name of Eugene Beauharnais Beaumont Jr. became the first head football coach in University of Alabama history. The University of Pennsylvania alumnus was let go after just one season, and so began the run up Wallace Wade and Frank Thomas, who would bring UA its first five national championships.
In the 120 years since Alabama football came into being, the Tide have won 14 national championships and more than 20 SEC titles. More than 100 players have been named All-Americans and many more have gone on to careers in the NFL.
When Alabama and Michigan lace it up on Sept. 1, it will be 120nd time the Crimson Tide will have participated in opening day.
It all began in 1892 when a man by the name of Eugene Beauharnais Beaumont Jr. became the first head football coach in University of Alabama history. The University of Pennsylvania alumnus was let go after just one season, and so began the run up Wallace Wade and Frank Thomas, who would bring UA its first five national championships.
In the 120 years since Alabama football came into being, the Tide have won 14 national championships and more than 20 SEC titles. More than 100 players have been named All-Americans and many more have gone on to careers in the NFL.
ESPN 150 athlete Kendell Beckwith doesn’t have anything to prove by working out at the University of Alabama’s first camp starting Sunday. He’s ranked No. 16 in the ESPN 150 and considered one of the top prospects in the country.
But if Beckwith is going to make the trip to Tuscaloosa, he’s going to compete.
“I’m not the type of guy who’s going to sit out and just watch,” Beckwith said. “I just want to play football. I like playing football. Whenever I get the opportunity to learn something, I’m down for it.”
But if Beckwith is going to make the trip to Tuscaloosa, he’s going to compete.
“I’m not the type of guy who’s going to sit out and just watch,” Beckwith said. “I just want to play football. I like playing football. Whenever I get the opportunity to learn something, I’m down for it.”
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Trevor Matich and Todd McShay breakdown film on the defending champion Crimson Tide.
Max Staver's recruitment continues to be eventful.
The quarterback from Brentwood (Tenn.) Academy has seen colleges by come this spring. Two of his favorite schools -- Alabama and LSU -- recently had quarterbacks commit. That makes Staver's decision that much more difficult. Is he willing to be the second quarterback in a class at an elite school, or would he rather be the sole quarterback in a class for a less lofty football program?
“If they're going to take two quarterbacks, I'm not afraid to go against anybody, but I'd like to be the No. 1 quarterback in the class taken. [But] if all else fails, I'll do it,” Staver said.
The quarterback from Brentwood (Tenn.) Academy has seen colleges by come this spring. Two of his favorite schools -- Alabama and LSU -- recently had quarterbacks commit. That makes Staver's decision that much more difficult. Is he willing to be the second quarterback in a class at an elite school, or would he rather be the sole quarterback in a class for a less lofty football program?
“If they're going to take two quarterbacks, I'm not afraid to go against anybody, but I'd like to be the No. 1 quarterback in the class taken. [But] if all else fails, I'll do it,” Staver said.
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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- It was only a matter of time before Bo Scarbrough started getting the national recognition.
Whether it was because he lives in the University of Alabama’s backyard or that he’s coming off a torn ACL injury or the fact that he is just a sophomore, Scarbrough didn’t quite have the offers that come with being a top prospect.
That’s all changed now.
Whether it was because he lives in the University of Alabama’s backyard or that he’s coming off a torn ACL injury or the fact that he is just a sophomore, Scarbrough didn’t quite have the offers that come with being a top prospect.
That’s all changed now.
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Tuscaloosa, Ala., Northridge High School wide receiver James Cox has seen his stock take off this spring with new offers from Arkansas, Southern Miss and Vanderbilt, but he’s hoping for one offer in particular from the school down the road: the University of Alabama.
Next week, Cox has a chance to earn that offer with his performance at the Crimson Tide’s first camp of the summer. The 2013 prospect talked to UA head coach Nick Saban and offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier on Tuesday about the upcoming camp.
“It went real well,” Cox said. “They just told me every time they have seen me, I’ve gotten better. They came to the spring game. Coach Nuss just told me to keep working hard, and they really want to see me in camp. Hopefully, I go over there, and I do my thing.
Next week, Cox has a chance to earn that offer with his performance at the Crimson Tide’s first camp of the summer. The 2013 prospect talked to UA head coach Nick Saban and offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier on Tuesday about the upcoming camp.
“It went real well,” Cox said. “They just told me every time they have seen me, I’ve gotten better. They came to the spring game. Coach Nuss just told me to keep working hard, and they really want to see me in camp. Hopefully, I go over there, and I do my thing.
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From now until kickoff in Arlington, Texas, we'll be counting down the days before Alabama and Michigan get the season started. Today, we move to No. 93 and what it means to UA football.
In 1993, the drought ended. After 13 years of looking for title No. 12, it finally came when coach Gene Stallings led the Crimson Tide into the Louisiana Superdome to face the Miami Hurricanes.
Alabama entered New Orleans as 8-point underdogs against the unanimous No. 1 Hurricanes. But the Tide came out with a chip on their shoulder and jumped on Miami from the beginning, building a 16-6 lead by halftime and a 27-6 lead heading into the final quarter.
The final score, 34-13, left no doubt who would be No. 1 the next day.
The win put an end to the Hurricane's 29-game winning streak and silenced the bravado of "The U" if only for a short time. UA running back Derrick Lassic took home MVP honors for his 28-carry, 135-yard performance, putting to bed Miami's pre-game talk of being the superior offense.
Center Tobie Sheils told reporters after the game, "They said we were one-dimensional. We are one-dimensional. Sometimes you only need one dimension."
In 1993, the drought ended. After 13 years of looking for title No. 12, it finally came when coach Gene Stallings led the Crimson Tide into the Louisiana Superdome to face the Miami Hurricanes.
Alabama entered New Orleans as 8-point underdogs against the unanimous No. 1 Hurricanes. But the Tide came out with a chip on their shoulder and jumped on Miami from the beginning, building a 16-6 lead by halftime and a 27-6 lead heading into the final quarter.
The final score, 34-13, left no doubt who would be No. 1 the next day.
The win put an end to the Hurricane's 29-game winning streak and silenced the bravado of "The U" if only for a short time. UA running back Derrick Lassic took home MVP honors for his 28-carry, 135-yard performance, putting to bed Miami's pre-game talk of being the superior offense.
Center Tobie Sheils told reporters after the game, "They said we were one-dimensional. We are one-dimensional. Sometimes you only need one dimension."
When you have over 25 scholarship offers, a new one may not seem like that big of a deal.
But when the national champions call and offer, that is sure to grab any recruit’s attention.
Such was the case when the University of Alabama called and offered Brentwood (Tenn.) Academy athlete Jalen Ramsey last week.
But when the national champions call and offer, that is sure to grab any recruit’s attention.
Such was the case when the University of Alabama called and offered Brentwood (Tenn.) Academy athlete Jalen Ramsey last week.
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The University of Alabama has been clear about taking two quarterbacks in the 2013 class since the beginning, and a new target emerged on Wednesday to pair with current commitment Cooper Bateman when the Crimson Tide offered Mississippi signal-caller Ryan Buchanan.
“I was excited about it. It’s freaking Alabama,” Buchanan said. “I’ve talked to them since last summer, and I’ve been there a couple times, and they’ve always said we’ll offer you once you throw for us at camp. I guess they changed that, and they wanted to officially offer me now before their camp.”
Alabama’s first camp begins on Sunday, and the plan was to wait until then where the quarterbacks could throw in front of head coach Nick Saban before extending an offer. Apparently, that strategy has changed.
“I was excited about it. It’s freaking Alabama,” Buchanan said. “I’ve talked to them since last summer, and I’ve been there a couple times, and they’ve always said we’ll offer you once you throw for us at camp. I guess they changed that, and they wanted to officially offer me now before their camp.”
Alabama’s first camp begins on Sunday, and the plan was to wait until then where the quarterbacks could throw in front of head coach Nick Saban before extending an offer. Apparently, that strategy has changed.
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Saban is still waiting to see more leadership
May, 30, 2012
5/30/12
6:14
PM ET
By
Edward Aschoff | ESPN.com
DESTIN, Fla. -- Nick Saban isn't looking to compare his 2012 football team to past ones, but he'd like to take one key ingredient from 2011 and sprinkle it around his team right now, especially on defense.
What Saban hopes to see more of from his defense when the players and coaches get back together shortly before fall camp is leadership. This defense can be as hungry as it wants, but Saban knows it won't go very far without a few chiefs stepping up.
He saw progress this spring, but it wasn't enough.
"I'm never satisfied," Saban said at the 2012 SEC spring meetings. "That's an area of our team that we need to continue to develop and mature."
Gone are upperclassmen leaders like Dont'a Hightower, Courtney Upshaw, Mark Barron and Josh Chapman. In are seniors Nico Johnson (linebacker) and Jesse Williams (defensive tackle) and linebackers C.J. Mosley (junior) and Adrian Hubbard (sophomore). All seemed to make strides this spring, but there's still a lot of room for them and others to grow, Saban said.
This defense isn't on the same level as the historic one in 2011, but it's still pretty talented. But so was the 2010 defense and its slow start hurt Alabama's chance to repeat as SEC champs. Though this unit is older than the 2010 defense, Saban made it clear that leadership and maturity can take a team further than talent and experience.
There's still plenty of time for all the leadership kinks to be worked out and there's no doubt that Saban will take a different approach in helping that growth after what transpired in 2010.
"I've been pleased with the leadership on this team so far," he said," but it's a work in progress and it's developing. It's going to have to continue to develop for them to be what we need them to be successful on a consistent basis."
What Saban hopes to see more of from his defense when the players and coaches get back together shortly before fall camp is leadership. This defense can be as hungry as it wants, but Saban knows it won't go very far without a few chiefs stepping up.
He saw progress this spring, but it wasn't enough.
"I'm never satisfied," Saban said at the 2012 SEC spring meetings. "That's an area of our team that we need to continue to develop and mature."
Gone are upperclassmen leaders like Dont'a Hightower, Courtney Upshaw, Mark Barron and Josh Chapman. In are seniors Nico Johnson (linebacker) and Jesse Williams (defensive tackle) and linebackers C.J. Mosley (junior) and Adrian Hubbard (sophomore). All seemed to make strides this spring, but there's still a lot of room for them and others to grow, Saban said.
This defense isn't on the same level as the historic one in 2011, but it's still pretty talented. But so was the 2010 defense and its slow start hurt Alabama's chance to repeat as SEC champs. Though this unit is older than the 2010 defense, Saban made it clear that leadership and maturity can take a team further than talent and experience.
There's still plenty of time for all the leadership kinks to be worked out and there's no doubt that Saban will take a different approach in helping that growth after what transpired in 2010.
"I've been pleased with the leadership on this team so far," he said," but it's a work in progress and it's developing. It's going to have to continue to develop for them to be what we need them to be successful on a consistent basis."
Quarterbacks Cooper Bateman (Alabama), Max Browne (USC) and Luke Del Rio stood out at the Oakland Elite 11 regional camp. Bateman and Del Rio already have finals invites while USC commit Browne earned his by taking home the MVP of the camp.
Robinson camps at Texas, UA in top 3 
May, 30, 2012
5/30/12
5:11
PM ET
By
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
The Longhorns will host one of the nation’s top 2014 offensive linemen on Saturday when Cameron Robinson (Monroe, La./Ouachita Parish) takes an unofficial visit.
The 6-foot-6, 320-pound Robinson will also participate in Sunday’s camp that will feature mostly 2013 Texas commitments and targets.
The man to thank for getting Robinson to Austin: offensive line coach Stacy Searels.
The 6-foot-6, 320-pound Robinson will also participate in Sunday’s camp that will feature mostly 2013 Texas commitments and targets.
The man to thank for getting Robinson to Austin: offensive line coach Stacy Searels.
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Devonta Pollard (De Kalb, Miss./Kemper County), a McDonald’s All-American and the highest rated available player in the Class of 2012, will announce his college choice on Friday.
The soft-spoken small forward will pick from Alabama, Georgetown, Missouri and Texas, according to his mother. Missouri has the biggest recruiting class and biggest scholarship crunch so the school of thought here is that the other three are in better shape.
“He’s come to the conclusion where he wants to go,” Jessie Pollard, Devonta’s mom said on Wednesday.
The soft-spoken small forward will pick from Alabama, Georgetown, Missouri and Texas, according to his mother. Missouri has the biggest recruiting class and biggest scholarship crunch so the school of thought here is that the other three are in better shape.
“He’s come to the conclusion where he wants to go,” Jessie Pollard, Devonta’s mom said on Wednesday.
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SEC hopes to have schedule format Friday
May, 30, 2012
5/30/12
1:12
PM ET
By
Edward Aschoff | ESPN.com
DESTIN, Fla. -- When SEC commissioner Mike Slive and the rest of the SEC elites leave the 2012 SEC spring meetings later this week the hope is that there will be a concrete scheduling format for the 2013 football season and possibly beyond.
The addition of Missouri and Texas A&M means teams will have to play six divisional games instead of five, making things a little complicated.
Right now, it looks like the most likely format, which could be set as early as Friday, will be a 6-1-1 model. That gives teams six divisional games, one permanent crossover game and rotating crossover. The rotating crossover would no longer be a traditional two-year home and home series. It would simply be a one-year rotation. It’s the same model that will be used for the 2012 season.
LSU coach Les Miles said he’d like the structure of future SEC schedules to be “definable,” and wouldn’t mind if the league re-examined how it chose permanent crossovers.
"Legitimately tell me about how you're picking crossover games,” Miles said at the spring meetings Tuesday. “Is it the best team in the East, the best team in the West, top three and top three? OK, if you guys want to do that let's do that. It might change the matches, but if you want to say, 'Well, we really are going to seed the best teams verses the lesser teams,' well, OK, let's do that, but define the structure and let's stay with it.
The addition of Missouri and Texas A&M means teams will have to play six divisional games instead of five, making things a little complicated.
Right now, it looks like the most likely format, which could be set as early as Friday, will be a 6-1-1 model. That gives teams six divisional games, one permanent crossover game and rotating crossover. The rotating crossover would no longer be a traditional two-year home and home series. It would simply be a one-year rotation. It’s the same model that will be used for the 2012 season.
LSU coach Les Miles said he’d like the structure of future SEC schedules to be “definable,” and wouldn’t mind if the league re-examined how it chose permanent crossovers.
"Legitimately tell me about how you're picking crossover games,” Miles said at the spring meetings Tuesday. “Is it the best team in the East, the best team in the West, top three and top three? OK, if you guys want to do that let's do that. It might change the matches, but if you want to say, 'Well, we really are going to seed the best teams verses the lesser teams,' well, OK, let's do that, but define the structure and let's stay with it.
ABOUT TIDE NATION
Greg Ostendorf
Greg Ostendorf joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering University of Alabama football and basketball recruiting at the Tuscaloosa News and Rivals.com. Ostendorf graduated from the University of Alabama and currently resides in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Email him at gsostendorf.espn@gmail.com.
Alex Scarborough
Alex Scarborough joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering University of Alabama athletics and high school football for The Tuscaloosa News. He currently resides in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Email him at alexscarborough.espn@gmail.com.