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Three players suspended, Scarbrough not qualified

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Before taking questions during his introductory press conference for the upcoming season, Nick Saban took care of a few housecleaning items first.
Saban announced that two members of the University of Alabama's top-ranked 2014 recruiting class did not qualify academically, that three Crimson Tide defenders were currently serving indefinite suspensions and that senior offensive lineman Leon Brown would be limited for most of the three-week training camp.
No reason was given for the suspensions of junior defensive lineman Jarran Reed, senior nose guard Brandon Ivory and sophomore outside linebacker Tim Williams. Saban previously announced Reed's and junior running back Kenyan Drake's suspensions during July's SEC Media Days. Drake fully participated during Friday morning's practice.
"Each guy can return to the team on completion of the requirement of what they have to do relative to their suspension," Saban said. "And I have no date that I can give you that that's going to be completed. Our focus is here, we have a lot of good players, a lot of good people, in our program. A lot of guys that really do a lot of good things on and off the field.
"We're certainly focused on those guys that we have here to develop them to be the best players that they can be, because they've demonstrated they're willing to do the things they need to do and football is important enough to them to do the things they need to do to have a chance to be successful."
Reed was arrested July 13 on charges of driving under the influence. The 6-foot-4, 315-pounder transferred to Alabama during the spring from East Mississippi Community College.
Local product and five-star athlete Bo Scarbrough and Plant City, Fla., offensive lineman Montel McBride did not qualify academically. McBride will play for Iowa Western Community College this fall, while Alabama is hoping Scarbrough can enroll at Alabama in the spring semester.
"We have an appeal in place, because he is very close to qualifying," Saban said. "That will take some time. We will have a plan here at his high school to try to do the things that he needs to do to finish and be able to qualify. And our goal is to get him here in January."
Scarbrough starred at Northridge High School for three years before transferring to Tuscaloosa County High School during the summer of 2013. Before playing a game for the Wildcats, Scarbrough transferred again to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.
Saban said Brown, who started at right guard in the 2014 Sugar Bowl, will likely miss at least two weeks of practice.
Reach Aaron Suttles at aaron@tidesports.com or at 205-722-0229.
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