Chapman gets year back

Of the Alabama freshmen who saw action only at the begining of last season, Josh Chapman's hopes of a medical redshirt looked as slim as any.

After all, the Crimson Tide noseguard played in three games - two more than some others, and just barely within NCAA guidelines for the provision that allows freshmen who are injured to obtain a year of eligibility back despite seeing action.

According to the just-released UA media guide, Chapman (6-foot-1, 305 pounds) will return as a freshman in 2008. It is unclear which other freshmen UA applied for medical redshirt status on, but those who played only early in the season include Chapman, quarterback Nick Fanuzzi, defensive end Alfred McCullough, wide receiver Darius Hanks and offensive lineman William Vlachos.

According to the fall roster, Hanks and McCullough will be sophomores this fall, while Vlachos and Fanuzzi will be freshmen. All four played in a season-opening win against Western Carolina only.

Chapman played against Western Carolina, Vanderbilt and Arkansas as the Crimson Tide opened the 2007 season at 3-0.

FRESHMAN JERSEYS - A look at the jersey assignments listed for UA freshmen in the media guide: Mark Barron (4), Undra Billingsley (94), John Michael Boswell (97), Terrence Cody (62), Marcel Dareus (57), Robby Green (23), Glenn Harbin (54), Jerrell Harris (5), Don'ta Hightower (56), Mark Ingram (22), Star Jackson (2), Barrett Jones (75), Julio Jones (8), Chris Jordan (36), Alonzo Lawrence (15), Robert Lester (37), Tyler Love (72), Ivan Matchett (31), Wesley Neighbors (46), Jermaine Preyear (44), Burton Scott (1), Damion Square (65), Courtney Upshaw (41), Michael Williams (89).