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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama defensive end Da’Shawn Hand was present and participating during practice as the Crimson Tide opened its fall camp Thursday afternoon. Despite his DUI arrest Saturday morning, he should continue to remain on the field for Alabama to start the season.
Hand was arrested for a DUI at the 1100 block of University Blvd., at 4:30 a.m. Saturday morning. According to a report from The Tuscaloosa News, a police officer found him asleep in the driver’s seat of a parked car with the engine running. Hand was later released from jail on a $1,000 bond. His pre-trial hearing is set for Sept. 18 at the Tuscaloosa Municipal Court. No further details were released by Tuscaloosa Police Department.
* Alabama defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand arrested for DUI
During his first news conference of the fall, Alabama head coach Nick Saban took time to address the subject, stating he had total respect for the police doing their job.
“Da’Shawn put himself in a bad situation, obviously made a mistake being where he was at the time,” Saban said. “But the fact that he didn’t drive the car, which is what we tell the players not to do. It’s not OK that he was drinking, with me. That’s a behavioral issue that needs to be addressed, and we will address it.
“But the fact that he didn’t drive the car and wasn’t driving the car, he wasn’t putting other people at risk which to me is the most significant thing when you drive under the influence, but he didn’t drive.”
Saban said Hand was put in 48-hour in-patient treatment for assessment purposes. The defensive lineman will also take part in community service and a police ride around but will not miss any playing time as long as he “does everything he’s supposed to do.”
“I have two choices,” Saban said. “I can punish the guy for putting himself in a bad situation, aight, but making a pretty good decision after he put himself in that situation. Or we can take the situation that he put himself in, which is drinking, aight, and have him assessed for that and try to help him so he can make better choices and decisions in the future.”
Also read: Tony's Take: Hand's arrest is Alabama's first major distraction | Five things to know about Alabama's defensive line in 2017
Hand, a former five-star recruit, is expected to earn a starting role on the Tide’s defense this season. Playing in a reserve role last year, he recorded 21 tackles, 3.5 for a loss and two sacks.
The 6-foot-4, 288-pound defensive lineman entered Alabama as the No. 1 recruit overall in the 2014 class. Hand has yet to start a game in his college career but is projected by many to have a breakout season. Earlier this year, he stated he was focused and prepared to step into his new role after waiting three years for the opportunity.
“It’s good thoughts — more like just tunnel vision that I have, just knowing that you’re preparing, the process,” Hand said. “I am excited about the process, and then when the season comes that’s when everything will happen. But for now, I am excited about just getting better, getting better, getting better so I can reach my peak and then when the season comes showcase to everybody what I can do.”
Alabama will hit the field again for its second practice on Friday at 2:40 p.m. before holding its open practice Saturday at 2:30 p.m. inside Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Earlier Thursday, Alabama was named the No. 1 team in the nation in the preseason Amway Coaches Poll. The Tide will open its season against No. 3 Florida State on Sept. 2 inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
