Nick Saban just wrapped his first news conference of the preseason, prepractice period. There was a little bit of news. Here is the run down:
- Sophomore-to-be defensive back Rod Woodson left the team in a move Saban said was a mutual decision. Coming out of Olive Branch (Miss.) High School, Woodson was rated one of the top defensive backs in the country by recruiting services.
- On a related matter, Saban said junior college transfer Dequan Menzie is recovering quite nicely from the torn Achilles tendon he suffered in the spring. He’s participated in voluntary off-season drills including 7-on-7 drills and could be ready to go by the Sept. 4 opener against San Jose State. That would be huge for the depleted secondary since Menzie was one of the top JUCO defensive backs in the country last fall.
- Eligibility questions remain for freshmen Blake Sims and Tuscumbia’s Deion Belue. Neither have been cleared academically and are awaiting word on their status.
- Two freshmen are definitely out for this fall. Ronald Carswell qualified, Saban said but will defer enrollment until the spring, and Wilson Love did not pass his physical due to a pre-existing ankle injury. Both will join the team in January and will not count against scholarship limits.
- On the Marcell Dareus front, there is nothing new to report. Saban said the NCAA has the case in its hands and will issue a decision eventually. If you need the background on that situation, see the archives.
- Saban was mic’ed up and ESPNU cameras intently followed his every move at the newer for the one-hour “Alabama All-Access” set to air later this month.
Read more on these topics and a few more later on or in tomorrow’s paper. Also expect some new photos of the almost-complete south end zone expansion at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
The Daily Bama Blog 