Players show up at new spots

TUSCALOOSA | Although the University of Alabama football team has yet to release a depth chart, much less a roster, a number of players were in new spots when the Crimson Tide held the first of 15 spring practices Thursday.

At linebacker, the four players working with the first unit were, from left to right, Chavis Williams (which would be the hybrid linebacker/end Jack position), Jimmy Johns, Rolando McClain and Cory Reamer. The second unit was Charlie Kirschman, Jennings Hester, Charlie Higgenbotham, and Eryk Anders. Alex Watkins was with the third unit.

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Brandon Fanny, who backed up Keith Saunders at Jack last season, practiced with the defensive ends. Ezekial Knight, sidelined indefinitely due to a heart-related problem, wore a black 46 jersey at practice (he was No. 47 last year), but did not participate in any drills. He also attended Wednesday's Pro Day workouts when current players went through drills, but watched from the sideline.

At running back, sophomore Glen Coffee (shoulder) was in black, but worked ahead of sophomore Roy Upchurch and freshmen Demetrius Goode and Terry Grant. As expected, freshman fullback Jeramie Griffin (knee) did not practice and rode a stationary bike alongside freshman wide receiver Marquis Maze.

The first-team defensive line was sophomore nose guard Lorenzo Washington along with junior end Bobby Greenwood and sophomore end Brandon Deaderick. The second unit featured freshman nose guard Brian Motley, with Fanney and freshman end Nick Gentry. Freshman Milton Talbert was in black, but shadowed other players.

In the secondary, sophomore Justin Woodall was working with the starters, paired with junior Rashad Johnson. Sophomore Ali Sharrief was the primary backup. Redshirt freshman Tarence Farmer worked at wide receiver. Sophomore Javier Arenas in the mix at cornerback.

At quarterback, freshman Greg McElroy switched jerseys to No. 12.

Junior Charles Hoke wore No. 77 and worked with the offensive linemen, but frequently lined up on the end in the tight end slot.

NFL.com posted the numbers from Alabama's Pro Day workout Wednesday.

DJ Hall (6-0 ½, 202): Ran the 40 in 4.59 and 4.55, had a 32 ½-inch vertical jump, 9-foot, 9-inch long jump, did not run position drills due to a groin injury.

Wallace Gilberry (6-2 ¼, 261): Ran the 40 in 5.02, had a 30-inch vertical jump, 9-foot, 10-inch long jump, 17 reps in the bench press, kept his other numbers from the combine but did not run position drills due to a hamstring injury.

Simeon Castile (6-0 3/8, 193): Ran the 40 in 4.56 and 4.58, had a 36-inch vertical jump, 9-foot, 10-inch long jump, eight reps in the bench press. Did not run position drills.

Keith Brown (6-2 1/8, 201): Ran the 40 in 4.50 and 4.48, had a 31 ½-inch vertical jump, 9-foot, 7-inch long jump, 4.65 short shuttle, 7.25 cone drill, ran position drills.

Matt Caddell (5-10 3/8, 184): Ran the 40 in 4.41 and 4.39, had a 39 ½-inch vertical jump, 10-foot, 8-inch long jump, 4.33 short shuttle, 7.33 cone drill, 13 reps in the bench press, and ran position drills.

Additionally, Brian Witherspoon of Stillman College, who has no football experience, worked out separately. He ran the 40 in 4.33 and 4.29, had a 40-inch vertical jump, 10-foot, 10-inch long jump, 4.36 short shuttle, 6.86 cone drill, and ran position drills for cornerback and kick returns.

Coach Nick Saban did not meet with reporters after Thursday's practice, during which players wore helmets and shorts, but sophomore left tackle Andre Smith did take a few questions. 'It was real exciting, having a lot of fun, learning new plays, new system,' he said. 'Overall, the intensity was really high today.'

Two incoming freshmen, who have already enrolled, made their practice debuts. Wide receiver Chris Jackson wore No. 86, and kick Corey Smith had on No. 44.

Three-time first-team All-American Woodrow Lowe is one of 75 players and eight coaches on the 2008 ballot for the College Football of Fame. Other notable names on the ballot include UCLA quarterback Troy Aikman, West Virginia quarterback Major Harris, Ohio State fullback Jim Otis, Notre Dame Heisman Trophy winner Tim Brown, and coach Lou Holtz. Among those on the ballot for the first time include Kansas quarterback Bobby Douglas, Florida linebacker Wilber Marshall, Temple running back Paul Palmer, Michigan State linebacker Percy Snow, and Arizona State linebacker Pat Tillman.

Former Alabama defensive coordinator Joe Kines was at practice. Kines recently agreed to come out of retirement to take the same position at Texas A&M.

Alabama will practice today at 3:30 before taking a week off for spring break.

Reach Christopher Walsh at christopher.walsh@tusacloosanews .com or at 205-722-0196.