Wednesday practice report

Classes at the University of Alabama began on Wednesday, but that did not stop the football team from returning to the practice field to prepare for its upcoming season opener against Michigan on September 1. The Tide returned to the practice field Wednesday afternoon in full pads and 91-degree conditions.

Junior running back Eddie Lacy, who suffered knee and ankle injuries in the Tide’s second scrimmage of the fall this past Saturday, seemed to be improving nicely. Lacy was not wearing a black, no-contact jersey and participated in drills with the running backs, though he did move a little lighter and slower than the rest of the group.

Freshman wide receiver Amari Cooper was the lone player wearing a black, no-contact jersey on Wednesday. He spent the majority of the media observation period on a stationary exercise bike as he recovers from a nagging foot injury.

The Tide ran through nickel recognition drills, and there was a bit of a shakeup to the rotation compared to what has been seen throughout most of the fall. Previously, John Fulton lined up as the cornerback on the right side of the field. However, on Wednesday, junior college transfer Deion Belue took the field as the right cornerback and worked with what is presumed to be the first unit.

Fulton worked with the second unit of cornerbacks in the same nickel recognition drills alongside freshman Geno Smith.  Freshmen Landon Collins and Eddie Williams and sophomore Nick Perry worked as the safeties. Though it has been known for quite some time, the realization with this group of defensive backs is that the Tide will be very young with its second unit. Should any injuries occur, most positions will have to break in young guys with little game experience.

Sophomore Brian Vogler lined up as the first-string H-back when during drills. Vogler spent much of the spring and fall competing heavily with Harrison Jones for the first-string position, but it appears as if he may be starting to solidify his stop atop the two-deep.

On the defensive line, seniors Quinton Dial and Damion Square continue to be the likely candidates to see time as the defensive ends. The two ran through drills with Jesse Williams in the middle as the nose guard, a trend that has remained constant throughout much of the fall. Behind Dial, junior Ed Stinson lined up next to Brandon Ivory in the middle, who was working behind Jesse Williams. On the other side of Ivory, Jeoffrey Pagan was the other defensive end when the second group of lineman went through drills.