Notebook: Carter to sit out season

TUSCALOOSA | University of Alabama transfer wide receiver Duron Carter is expected to sit out the season due to an academic issue, according to coach Nick Saban.

Carter would have two years of playing eligibility beginning with the 2012 season, but it appears the Crimson Tide will get only scout-team help in 2011 from the son of former NFL All-Pro Cris Carter.

"There is one piece of information we did not receive, have not received, and may not ever receive," Saban said. "So as of right now, he has to be here a year in residence before he's eligible. He'll still have two years to play after that but as of right now, it doesn't look like he will be eligible for this season."

The move to withhold Carter from playing this season brings an end to the team's only lingering roster issue. Carter transferred from Ohio State to Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College in 2010, then to Alabama from CCC this year. He was withheld from enrolling in school until after fall camp due while the team waited to clear him academically.

About a week before UA's season opener against Kent State, Carter was admitted to school and was expected make his debut against Penn State on Sept. 10. The day before the game, however, an academic issue compelled the team to withhold him from competition, and he did not make the trip to Happy Valley. Since then, Carter has been practicing on the Crimson Tide's scout team, and can continue to do so.

Carter caught 13 passes for Ohio State as a true freshman in 2009 and had a stellar season at the junior college level before choosing to continue his playing career at Alabama.

Next season, the Crimson Tide's receiving corps will experience heavy turnover with the losses of three fifth-year seniors -- Marquis Maze, Darius Hanks and Brandon Gibson. Carter would join DeAndrew White, Kevin Norwood, Kenny Bell, Christion Jones, Michael Bowman, Bradley Sylve, Ronald Carswell, Marvin Shinn and Danny Woodson Jr. in competition at the position next spring.

Fab Four

A lot has been made of the chemistry between Alabama's returning starters in the defensive backfield. And while some positions in football are more reliant on cohesiveness than others, UA safety Robert Lester said Arkansas' quartet of dangerous receivers - Greg Childs, Joe Adams, Jarius Wright and Cobi Hamilton - have a chemistry of their own.

"Those are guys out there working together that have been together. They've got chemistry, just like our secondary," Lester said. "They work together. They're not going to fuss and pout about not getting the ball. They're just going to wait until their time comes. That's what great receivers do."

Adams, Hamilton and Wright have combined for 39 receptions and over 600 receiving yards already this season. Childs may be the most talented of the four, but missed last week's game for a family funeral and, coming off a knee injury, caught only two passes in two previous games.

Quotable

"Gumbo, lasagna, everything. I made this cajun alfredo the other day, it was pretty good. ... It's all up to you. You've got to buy the groceries, though" - linebacker Alex Watkins on his prolific cooking skills, and whether he'd be willing to cook for the media.

Tidebits

Defensive backs Robert Lester and Dee Milliner continued full participation in preparations for Arkansas. Lester (back spasms) was limited in practice Monday. Milliner (illness) was not present during individual drills Monday but returned Tuesday. ... Visitors to Wednesday's practice included former UA running back Roy Upchurch and former Vanderbilt and Alabama safety Chris Donnelly, both of whom were part of national title teams at UA. ... Alabama practiced in full pads outdoors Wednesday.

Reach Chase Goodbread at chase.goodbread@tuscaloosanews.com or at 205-722-0196.