Injuries hurt continuity at Saturday scrimmage

The first scrimmage of the preseason is now in the books and, apparently, the back luck for the Crimson Tide secondary continues. Nick Saban just ran down a laundry list of injuries from this afternoon’s action.

• Cornerback Dequan Menzie has a “slightly pulled hamstring.”
• Robert Lester suffered a concussion early in the scrimmage.
• DeMarcus Milliner “twisted his ankle” and will be day-to-day.
• Blake Sims strained his foot and also got the day-to-day tag.
• And before the message boards crash, Saban made extra effort to point out Mark Ingram only got the wind knocked out of him late in the proceedings.
• Greg McElroy is just fine. He completed 26-of-33 passes for 360 yards, Saban said.
• Other stats are still to come.
• Check back in a little bit.

VIDEO: New defensive backs work with Saban

Alabama head coach Nick Saban (in the hat) works with the true freshman defensive backs. I know it’s hard to see, but that’s as close as I could get with my limited-zoom camera. Fresh faces like DeMarcus Milliner, John Fulton, Nick Perry and Jarrick Williams.

Coming Friday: A look at Sims, Milliner

In a surprising, yet positive turn of events, Alabama brought Phillip Sims and DeMarcus Milliner into the interview room Wednesday after Nick Saban’s signing day news conference. True freshman are never made available, so quasi-pre-freshmen were welcomed with open-arms by beat writers looking for a different story.

The story comes Friday. Read more about the pair, and look for a wider sweeping story about high school seniors enrolling early in college.

(The photo below taken by this amateur photographer, showing Milliner on the left and Sims on right talking to reporters)

Nation’s top CB commits to Saban

As reported yesterday, DeMarcus Milliner made his commitment official Thursday afternoon. He plans to sign with the Crimson Tide in February.

Here is what the Associated Press wrote about today’s announcement:

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‘Bama gets verbal pledge from top corner prospect

MILLBROOK, Ala. (AP) — The state’s top football prospect says he’ll play for the University of Alabama.

Stanhope Elmore cornerback DeMarcus Milliner verbally committed Thursday to the Crimson Tide during a news conference at the Millbrook school. The commitment is not binding.

Both Rivals.com and Scout.com rate Milliner as the top corner in the nation among next year’s prospects.

Milliner is the Tide’s 13th commitment already and fifth from the state. He also received scholarship offers from such schools as Auburn, Florida, LSU and Oklahoma.

Top CB to announce decision Thursday, Alabama top contender

Several media outlets are reporting a news conference will be held Thursday where Demarcus Milliner will announce his college decision. Rated the nation’s top cornerback by rivals.com, the Millbrook, Ala., product is expected to pick Alabama, according to ESPN.com’s JC Shurburtt.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution also wrote a little about Milliner on Tuesday but gave no speculation on his destination.

The news conference is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Thursday.