Spring practice report: Day 12

With just two more practice days to prepare for the annual A-Day game at Bryant-Denny Stadium, the Alabama football field took the Thomas-Drew practice fields Wednesday in warm temperatures in Tuscaloosa.

The team divided into offense and defense to open individual drills, taking on the spirited split-squad look that fans will turn out for on Saturday for the final scrimmage of the spring.

Wednesday, two more players joined the M*A*S*H unit as tight end Colin Peek and offensive lineman Charles Hoke wore black non-contact jerseys. Peek, a transfer from Georgia Tech, caught five passes in a scrimmage last Saturday but may have to sit out the season under NCAA transfer rules. Hoke, who worked at tight end as recently as Independence Bowl practices, was moved to left tackle at the start of spring drills and had been working with the second group before Wednesday.

Other notables from Wednesday's media viewing period:

*** Linebacker Jimmy Johns worked at strongside linebacker for the second consecutive practice. Johns worked at the weakside spot throughout spring drills and through Saturday's scrimmage, after which coach Nick Saban said he would be tried on the outside.

*** Linebacker Cory Reamer worked with the first group at the weakside spot. Reamer worked on the strongside for most of the spring but has returned to the weakside, where he played as a reserve last season.

*** With Hoke out of contact, Scott Deaton worked behind Andre Smith at left tackle in the second group. David Ross worked at left guard beside Deaton, along with Evan Cardwell (center), William Vlachos (right guard) and Taylor Pharr (right tackle).

*** Alfred McCullough and Luther Davis manned the end spots in the second group on the defensive line.

*** Linebacker Baron Huber worked with the second group on the weakside behind Reamer. Huber was switched from fullback last week.

*** Incoming freshman Corey Smith worked with kickers once again on Wednesday. Smith has been active as a kicker in scrimmage work, but according to statistics released by UA, he has yet to punt in a scrimmage.

*** Linebacker Alex Watkins worked with the second group at the 'Jack' position. Watkins has bounced between the second and third groups throughout the spring.

*** All the players who have previously been designated non-contact continued to wear black jerseys. Although Saban has not publicly ruled any of them out for A-Day, the chances of A-Day action for those who have been in black jerseys for the entire spring would appear very slim. Those players include running back Glen Coffee, defensive end Milton Talbert and offensive lineman Patrick Crump. Lineman Brian Motley, out with a broken finger, told the media Monday that he will not play in the A-Day game.

*** Kickoff for the A-Day game is set for Saturday at 2 p.m. Watch BOL later this week for a complete look at the weekend's events surrounding the game.

*** Stay with BOL today for video and photo coverage of Wednesday's practice.