Bama's biggest players making big impact
April, 10, 2012
4/10/12
9:59
PM ET
By
Alex Scarborough | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- When Brian Vogler, Adrian Hubbard and Barrett Jones are all in a room together, it looks more like a tryout for the Alabama basketball team than a meeting of football players. Each hovers above the press corps with the shortest man standing at 6-foot-5.
Shelby Daniel/Icon SMIAlabama's Barrett Jones is one of the Tide's big men who expect to make a big impact this season.But throw on a helmet and pads and the look seems to fit.
Jones has developed into one of the nation’s best offensive linemen in his fifth year at the Capstone, taking home the Outland Trophy last year. Now, Hubbard and Vogler are hoping to make a name for themselves as well, each on a different side of the ball.
Vogler has spent the spring flipping between H-back and tight end for offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier. It’s the redshirt sophomore’s first real opportunity to make an impact on the offense with the departure of Brad Smelley, and Vogler's not planning on letting it go by. At 6-foot-7, he may be a tad too tall for your typical H-back, but as long as he sees the field, he’ll be happy.
“Whatever looks best, they’ll keep on going with that,” Vogler said of switching back and forth between H-back and tight end. “Honestly, both (spots) feel great right now. ... They’re pretty similar, just a lot more moving around with H-back. I feel comfortable with both of them, so whatever one they choose to put me at will be fine with me.
Shelby Daniel/Icon SMIAlabama's Barrett Jones is one of the Tide's big men who expect to make a big impact this season.Jones has developed into one of the nation’s best offensive linemen in his fifth year at the Capstone, taking home the Outland Trophy last year. Now, Hubbard and Vogler are hoping to make a name for themselves as well, each on a different side of the ball.
Vogler has spent the spring flipping between H-back and tight end for offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier. It’s the redshirt sophomore’s first real opportunity to make an impact on the offense with the departure of Brad Smelley, and Vogler's not planning on letting it go by. At 6-foot-7, he may be a tad too tall for your typical H-back, but as long as he sees the field, he’ll be happy.
“Whatever looks best, they’ll keep on going with that,” Vogler said of switching back and forth between H-back and tight end. “Honestly, both (spots) feel great right now. ... They’re pretty similar, just a lot more moving around with H-back. I feel comfortable with both of them, so whatever one they choose to put me at will be fine with me.
Utah QB Bateman: 'Awesome' visit to UA 
April, 10, 2012
4/10/12
5:59
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
ESPN 150 quarterback Cooper Bateman, a Utah native, had never been to the state of Alabama, so when he arrived in Birmingham en route to visit the University of Alabama, he was pretty shocked with what he saw.
“It was awesome,” Bateman said. “I’m from Utah, and when I picture Alabama, I didn’t know what to picture, just the state, just the surroundings. I kind of went in open-minded. I flew into Birmingham and just saw green everywhere. It was crazy. What a beautiful state.”
On his spring break last week, Bateman made a trip south to visit four interested SEC schools: Alabama, Auburn, Florida and LSU. After visiting Baton Rouge for LSU’s spring game, his second stop was Tuscaloosa.
“It was awesome,” Bateman said. “I’m from Utah, and when I picture Alabama, I didn’t know what to picture, just the state, just the surroundings. I kind of went in open-minded. I flew into Birmingham and just saw green everywhere. It was crazy. What a beautiful state.”
On his spring break last week, Bateman made a trip south to visit four interested SEC schools: Alabama, Auburn, Florida and LSU. After visiting Baton Rouge for LSU’s spring game, his second stop was Tuscaloosa.
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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The University of Alabama began the final week of spring practice Tuesday, taking to the field under partly cloudy skies, and just for good measure, a few drops of rain.
The Crimson Tide will practice Thursday before heading into Bryant-Denny Stadium for the annual A-Day scrimmage on Saturday.
Here are a few notes and observations from Tuesday's media viewing period of today's practice:
The Crimson Tide will practice Thursday before heading into Bryant-Denny Stadium for the annual A-Day scrimmage on Saturday.
Here are a few notes and observations from Tuesday's media viewing period of today's practice:
- Brent Calloway remains at H-back this week. The former running back turned linebacker was switched to H-back last week and the move has seemed to stick -- for now.
- Alphonse Taylor also remains at his new spot on the offensive line after switching there from nose guard. It's been fun watching Taylor learn the position. He certainly has the size and strength to move the pile as a true freshman, but he's still getting a hang of the technique.
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Michigan already thinking about Bama
April, 10, 2012
4/10/12
3:28
PM ET
By
Michael Rothstein | ESPN.com
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- It won’t be played for four months, but Michigan’s players have started to think about what its season opener will be like.
Really, who can blame them? It isn’t often a team faces the defending national champions, as the Wolverines will, in the season opener inside an NFL stadium. Safety Jordan Kovacs has already started calling it “The Jerry Jones Classic,” a nod to the Dallas Cowboys owner who helped build the stadium the game will be played in.
“It’s going to be a great game, a big game and everybody’s really looking forward to that,” Kovacs said Tuesday. “I’m excited to take them on and it’ll be a true test of where we’re at come week 1.”
Really, who can blame them? It isn’t often a team faces the defending national champions, as the Wolverines will, in the season opener inside an NFL stadium. Safety Jordan Kovacs has already started calling it “The Jerry Jones Classic,” a nod to the Dallas Cowboys owner who helped build the stadium the game will be played in.
“It’s going to be a great game, a big game and everybody’s really looking forward to that,” Kovacs said Tuesday. “I’m excited to take them on and it’ll be a true test of where we’re at come week 1.”
Last chance to make a first impression
April, 10, 2012
4/10/12
6:34
AM ET
By
Alex Scarborough | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- With five days and two practices remaining, the Crimson Tide have a limited time to make a good first impression. There’s one more scrimmage to go with umpteen thousand fans to impress in the final hurrah of spring football on Saturday.
A-Day is now a reality for the University of Alabama. A month of preparation and a dozen practices have given way to the home stretch of spring football. The annual scrimmage at Bryant-Denny Stadium will culminate the spring practice schedule, but it will also serve as a springboard for the fall, and the start of the season.
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Four-star Pollard enjoys Tide official visit
April, 9, 2012
4/09/12
2:47
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
Alabama basketball coach Anthony Grant has made a habit of going after top prospects in the late signing period. Last year, he landed four-star guard Trevor Lacey and this year he’s going after another ESPNU 100 star, Devonta Pollard.
Over the weekend, Pollard took his official visit to Alabama, and although it was a trip he has made more than a dozen times, the Mississippi native still had a great time.
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ESPN 150 DB Langley returns from UA trip
April, 9, 2012
4/09/12
10:16
AM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
When ESPN 150 Watch List defensive back Brendan Langley returned home from his visit to the University of Alabama on Saturday, he announced his commitment, but it wasn’t a commitment to the Crimson Tide.
On Twitter, Langley announced that he had committed to Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Ind., who he received mail from that week. He was only kidding.
As for his visit to Tuscaloosa over the weekend, the Georgia native got a chance to watch the scrimmage on Friday and practice on Saturday, and he seemed to enjoy himself while he was on campus.
On Twitter, Langley announced that he had committed to Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Ind., who he received mail from that week. He was only kidding.
As for his visit to Tuscaloosa over the weekend, the Georgia native got a chance to watch the scrimmage on Friday and practice on Saturday, and he seemed to enjoy himself while he was on campus.
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In-state 2014 LB Williams visits Alabama
April, 8, 2012
4/08/12
6:10
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
St. Paul’s (Mobile, Ala.) linebacker Tre Williams has been itching to get back to Tuscaloosa and visit the University of Alabama since the Crimson Tide hosted LSU in November, and the 2014 prospect finally made it back over the weekend.
“It felt great to be back,” Williams said. “I always wanted to go back to Tuscaloosa, but the last time I was going up for junior day, it was raining, so I couldn’t go. But I always wanted to go back and see it.
“The visit went great, especially the scrimmage and the way they were playing. They were playing hard, and in my eyes, I think they’re going to be pretty good this year.”
“It felt great to be back,” Williams said. “I always wanted to go back to Tuscaloosa, but the last time I was going up for junior day, it was raining, so I couldn’t go. But I always wanted to go back and see it.
“The visit went great, especially the scrimmage and the way they were playing. They were playing hard, and in my eyes, I think they’re going to be pretty good this year.”
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ESPN 150 star Beckwith talks Tide, Tigers
April, 7, 2012
4/07/12
6:15
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
ESPN 150 Watch List star Kendell Beckwith already visited LSU twice this spring, so last week he had to make a trip to Tuscaloosa, Ala., to visit the other school on the top of his list, the University of Alabama.
“It went great,” Beckwith said. “I watched their spring practice, talked with Coach (Nick) Saban and Coach (Burton) Burns afterwards. It was real nice.
“At practice, I noticed how competitive guys are and how hard they were working out there. They really get at it. I was really watching the whole defense, but I watched the linebackers real close.”
“It went great,” Beckwith said. “I watched their spring practice, talked with Coach (Nick) Saban and Coach (Burton) Burns afterwards. It was real nice.
“At practice, I noticed how competitive guys are and how hard they were working out there. They really get at it. I was really watching the whole defense, but I watched the linebackers real close.”
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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- With a month of practice now in the books, a clear theme has emerged at the University of Alabama. It’s one you’ll find at nearly every college football program around the country in the months of March and April, and it’s quite simple: get better every day.
With just 15 practices to work with, roughly two hours each, there’s not a second to waste. When the Crimson Tide suited up for their second scrimmage of the spring on Friday, coach Nick Saban had a question for all of his players.
“Are you going to be able to go out there and play better today than you did the last opportunity you had?” he asked.
And, according to Saban, some players did.
Jalston Fowler, who ran for just 27 yards during last Saturday’s scrimmage, went off on Friday, carrying the ball 22 times for 151 yards and three touchdowns. He picked up 68 of those yards on a situational drill.
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/Dave MartinNick Saban was pleased with Friday's scrimmage.
AP Photo/Dave MartinNick Saban was pleased with Friday's scrimmage.“Are you going to be able to go out there and play better today than you did the last opportunity you had?” he asked.
And, according to Saban, some players did.
Jalston Fowler, who ran for just 27 yards during last Saturday’s scrimmage, went off on Friday, carrying the ball 22 times for 151 yards and three touchdowns. He picked up 68 of those yards on a situational drill.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The Crimson Tide moved to Bryant-Denny Stadium on Friday for the second scrimmage of spring practice.
The scrimmage will last roughly two hours, after which players and coach Nick Saban will speak with the media.
But before the news conference gets underway, here are a few observations from the media viewing period of today's pre-scrimmage warmup:
The scrimmage will last roughly two hours, after which players and coach Nick Saban will speak with the media.
But before the news conference gets underway, here are a few observations from the media viewing period of today's pre-scrimmage warmup:
- For the second-straight day Brent Calloway worked with the H-backs. Calloway spent the first 10 practices on defense at linebackers, a switch Saban made during the offseason. While Calloway may be a tad short for the position at 6-foot-1 (Brad Smelley and Colin Peek were both over 6-foot-3), he does possess good athleticism and by the looks of things, OK hands.
- Alphonse Taylor continued his position change as well. Taylor, who practiced at nose guard on defense for the first 10 practices of the spring, was back working on the offensive line. The true freshman stands out as the largest player on the Alabama roster, but flashes quick feet and tremendous strength on the interior of the line.
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Around the bases: Alabama 6, Auburn 2
April, 6, 2012
4/06/12
8:35
AM ET
By
Alex Scarborough | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- A strange thing happened at Sewell-Thomas Stadium over the weekend: The Crimson Tide played fearless baseball.
Sweeping No. 23 Auburn with a 6-2 win on Sunday, the University of Alabama played a confident, undaunted brand of baseball. In short, they played nothing like the team that entered the series nine games below .500, in search of its second SEC victory of the year.
Against Auburn, the Tide swung freely at the plate, rounded wide on the base paths and attacked the ball on defense. There were spectacular double plays, double steals and run-scoring doubles. For the first time in 2012, it looked like Alabama was ready to fulfill on the promise of fielding a competitive baseball team.
Sweeping No. 23 Auburn with a 6-2 win on Sunday, the University of Alabama played a confident, undaunted brand of baseball. In short, they played nothing like the team that entered the series nine games below .500, in search of its second SEC victory of the year.
Against Auburn, the Tide swung freely at the plate, rounded wide on the base paths and attacked the ball on defense. There were spectacular double plays, double steals and run-scoring doubles. For the first time in 2012, it looked like Alabama was ready to fulfill on the promise of fielding a competitive baseball team.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Over the course of 13 games and four months, AJ McCarron went from climbing a depth chart to climbing a podium to lift up the BCS Championship game trophy.
Of the Crimson Tide starters, McCarron was one of the few without experience heading into the 2011 season. By the time all was said and done, though, he gained experienced and a reputation as a leader beyond his underclassman status.
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Around the bases: Alabama 10, Auburn 6
April, 5, 2012
4/05/12
12:22
PM ET
By
Alex Scarborough | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Kenny Roberts planted his left foot, swung his hips and drilled the ball high into the cool night air, well over the left field wall. The University of Alabama dugout emptied and four base runners touched home plate, giving the Crimson Tide a comfortable lead, and resurrected, if only for a moment, a program in need of any sign of life.
The five-run lead generated by Roberts’ blast was in peril before there was time for coach Mitch Gaspard to enjoy it. The Alabama bats fell silent over the next four innings and Auburn mounted a comeback, scoring four runs.
But in the bottom of the eighth with a one-run lead looking a hair too thin for the Tide, Alabama did something it hasn’t done all year -- respond. UA scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth to seal a Game 1 victory over Auburn, 10-6.
The five-run lead generated by Roberts’ blast was in peril before there was time for coach Mitch Gaspard to enjoy it. The Alabama bats fell silent over the next four innings and Auburn mounted a comeback, scoring four runs.
But in the bottom of the eighth with a one-run lead looking a hair too thin for the Tide, Alabama did something it hasn’t done all year -- respond. UA scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth to seal a Game 1 victory over Auburn, 10-6.
Tide coaches impressed with QB O'Korn
April, 5, 2012
4/05/12
11:22
AM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
Although 2013 quarterback John O’Korn may not be ranked as high as some of the other players Alabama is targeting at the position, the Crimson Tide coaching staff came away impressed with the Florida signal caller after his visit last weekend.
“Everything was perfect,” O’Korn said. “I really liked it a lot more than I expected I would, and I think part of that was due to I think that they have a lot more interest in me than I thought they did before I took the visit. I think we really made a connection.
“They were just telling me that they love what they’ve seen so far, and I made a great impression on them while I was there. They love my attitude and my work ethic and everything, and they just want to get the chance to see me throw in person and work with me one-on-one before they pull the trigger with the offer.”
“Everything was perfect,” O’Korn said. “I really liked it a lot more than I expected I would, and I think part of that was due to I think that they have a lot more interest in me than I thought they did before I took the visit. I think we really made a connection.
“They were just telling me that they love what they’ve seen so far, and I made a great impression on them while I was there. They love my attitude and my work ethic and everything, and they just want to get the chance to see me throw in person and work with me one-on-one before they pull the trigger with the offer.”
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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.