Linebacker Hall practices with freshmen

TUSCALOOSA | The University of Alabama football team opened fall practice with a key contributor in an unfamiliar spot, as sophomore inside linebacker Prince Hall didn’t practice with his fellow veterans Friday afternoon, rather with the freshmen during the extra evening session.

Also noticeably absent from the early workout in the intense heat, which featured the first two units, were redshirt freshman defensive end Milton Talbert and sophomore running back Roy Upchurch.

No reason was given for their possible demotions, although coach Nick Saban has in the past knocked players down the depth chart for disciplinary reasons.

Neither coaches nor players were made available to media following practice.

Hall played in all 13 games last season with nine starts, logging 593 snaps. He finished third in team tackles with 77, including 10½ for a loss. He’s the only player on the roster with starting experience at linebacker.

Filling in for Hall with the starters was senior Demarcus Waldrop, with redshirt freshman Charlie Higgenbotham behind him on the second unit. At the other inside linebacker spot was senior Darren Mustin ahead of sophomore Eryk Anders.

Hall lined up with senior Marcel Stamps on the third unit, ahead of true freshman Rolando McClain. The outside linebackers were redshirt freshman Charlie Kirschman and Cory Reamer.

Converted linebacker Matt Collins, a senior, took Talbert’s spot on the second unit.

The early practice also saw the return of senior Chris Capps, who was held out of contract drills during the spring while recovering from a back injury.

He’s expected to compete with junior B.J. Stabler to start at right tackle.

Similarly, at defensive tackle sophomore Lorenzo Washington (pectoral muscle) took snaps behind freshman Brian Motley.

Although reporters were only allowed to watch the first few minutes of each practice, there did not seem to be any major position changes except Reamer, who got a look at linebacker in the spring, but is still listed as a defensive back.

Including Friday, Alabama has 25 days of practice before the season opener against Western Carolina on Sept. 1.

A top priority will be the installation of the offensive and defensive schemes during the first 15 days, before the team takes a two-day break Aug. 19-20, and establishes its regular season routine a week early.

“I think the two things that are really most important that we want to try to figure out about our players, or continue to figure out about our players is, A), What is your competitive character? How important is it for you to be good and sustain what you do? And [B], how smart can you play?” Saban said during a press conference Thursday.

“Those two things are both critical in a guy being able to play winning football.”

Alabama has scheduled two closed scrimmages, Aug. 11 and 18, at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Although the scrimmages and game situations during practice will obviously be important in finalizing the depth chart, Saban also likes to use the stadium sessions to get a jump on future opponents.

Specifically, he likes to give every unit an early look at the different schemes and formations they’re likely to see this season.

“What you try and minimize as much as possible, is when you play someone you’re seeing this for the first time,” Saban said.

“It’s hard to cover everything, but we’re talking about the significant things. There are a couple of teams that we play this season that do a lot of stuff that requires adjustments.”

Alabama will hold a full team practice at 2:30 today. Sunday’s Fan Day, which includes an open practice at Bryant-Denny Stadium, is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Stadium gates will open at 1:30 p.m.

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