Notebook: Rest of roster joins Tide as classes begin

TUSCALOOSA _ The University of Alabama football team welcomed the rest of the Crimson Tide to practice Wednesday afternoon as undergraduate classes began at the Capstone.

Although a roster was not released, a notable return was junior safety Robby Green, who will serve a season-long suspension. Green has played in 26 career games with six starts, 39 career tackles and one interception. He wasn't on the 105-man camp roster, giving another player a chance to practice, while having his tonsils removed.

Also of note was a player fitting the description of Harrison Jones and wearing No. 40 working with the tight ends. According to the Alabama media guide released before camp that was the number assigned to the true freshman.

Coach Nick Saban announced at the start of camp that Jones, listed at 6-foot-4, 235 pounds, would grayshirt due to roster limits.

Injury report

Freshman cornerback DeQuan Menzie (hamstring) returned to practice, but there's still no sign of freshman safety Kendall Kelly, who's been out due to heat-related issue since his first practice.

In black jerseys and not practicing were freshman all-around player Blake Sims (dislocated toe), freshman cornerback DeMarcus Milliner (ankle), and sophomore defensive end Undra Billingsley (ankle). Milliner's sprain appears to be the most serious injury.

Secondary shuffle

While injuries have forced coaches to shuffle things in the secondary, numerous players are getting long looks at a variety of spots.

During an individual drill that reporters were allowed to observe, Dont'a Hightower and Chris Jordan were at the two interior linebacker spots, with Jerrell Harris and Nico Johnson on the second unit and Jalston Fowler and C.J. Mosley shadowing.

At cornerback, Dre Kirkpatrick and B.J. Scott were with the first unit, with Menzie and Rovert Lester on the second unit.

Mark Barron moved up to star, with Will Lowery and Nick Perry at the safety spots. The second unit had Phelon Jones, Jarrick Williams and Robert Lester, who sustained a concussion in last week's scrimmage.

With Billingsley sidelined, redshirt freshman defensive end Darrington Sentimore worked with the second unit behind Marcell Dareus.

Awards watch list

Friday will be another busy day for watch lists, with more than one Alabama player possibly named contenders for the Rotary Lombardi Award (lineman of the year), but the Crimson Tide is expected to be overlooked for the Lou Groza Award (kicker).

Here's the awards rundown:

Bednarik Award (defensive player): Mark Barron, Marcell Dareus and Dont'a Hightower named to watch list. Semifinalists named Nov. 8.

Fred Biletnikoff Award (wide receiver): Julio Jones named to watch list. Semifinalists named Nov. 15

Butkus Award (linebacker): Dont'a Hightower and Nico Johnson named to watch list. Semifinalists announced Oct. 21 (Rolando McClain reigning winner).

Walter Camp Award (Player of the year): Mark Ingram named to watch list. Semifinalists announced Nov. 16.

William Campbell Trophy (scholar-athlete, formerly known as the Draddy Trophy): Semifinalists announced Sept. 30.

Lou Groza Award (kicker): Watch list announced Aug. 20.

Ray Guy Award (punter): No one named to watch list. Semifinalists announced Nov. 12.

Heisman Trophy: Finalists announced Dec. 6 (Mark Ingram reigning winner).

Ted Hendricks Award (defensive end): Marcell Dareus was named to the watch list. Midseason list to be announced in November.

Paul Hornung Award (most versatile): No one named to watch list. Finalists announced in early December.

Rotary Lombardi Award (lineman): Watch list announced Aug. 20.

Lott Trophy (defensive impact player): Mark Barron on watch list. Quarterfinalists expected to be announced in October.

John Mackey Award (tight end): No one on watch list. Semifinalists announced Nov. 15.

Manning Award (quarterback, includes bowls): Greg McElroy named to watch list. Finalists named Nov. 29.

Maxwell Award (outstanding player): Mark Ingram, Julio Jones and Greg McElroy named to watch list. Semifinalists named Nov. 8.

Bronko Nagurski Award (defensive player): Mark Barron, Marcell Dareus and Dont'a Hightower on watch list. Finalists announced Nov. 18.

Davey O'Brien Award (quarterback): Greg McElroy on watch list. Semifinalists announced Oct. 25.

Outland Trophy (interior lineman): James Carpenter and Barrett Jones on watch list. Finalists announced Nov. 21.

Rimington Trophy (center): Watch list announced Aug. 27.

Jim Thorpe Award (defensive back): Mark Barron named to watch list. Semifinalists announced November.

Unitas Golden Arm (senior quarterback): Greg McElroy on watch list. Semifinalists expected to be announced in November.

Doak Walker Award (running back): Watch list announced Aug. 23.

Tide-bits

Corey Grant continued to work at cornerback, with Michael Bowman at H-back, experimental position changes that occurred earlier this week.

Alabama will return to practice Thursday and hold its second and final scrimmage of fall Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium. As usual, all practices are closed to the public.

The rebroadcast of ESPN's all-access special, "Training Days: Rolling with the Alabama Crimson Tide," will air Thursday at 7 p.m. on ESPN.