Alabama football returned to practice Wednesday in sunny, 88-degree weather at Thomas-Drew Field. The Crimson Tide held its second media viewing period for Louisiana-Monroe.

Yours truly of TDAM with observations.

Notes from Wednesday’s practice

• Senior inside linebacker Reggie Ragland saw reps with outside ‘backers’ in the first viewing period. Coach Tosh Lupoi had the group working on swim moves against Alabama’s reserve offensive linemen.
• Alabama shifted into its dime formation in the second period, and had four outside linebackers involved, Ryan Anderson, Denzel Devall, Tim Williams and Rashaan Evans.
• Linebacker Dillon Lee stayed on the field with Ragland at inside and outside ‘backer’ for much of the second period. Sophomore Shaun Dion Hamilton was also involved.
• Senior Richard Mullaney and sophomore ArDarius Stewart took one group of wide receivers through drills. True freshman Calvin Ridley led the other group for a second straight day.

Alabama players in scout-team jerseys

• WR Deionte Thompson (#17, representing UL-Monroe’s WR RJ Tucker)
• Several of Alabama’s walk-on wideouts wore No. 2 (Rashon Caesar) and No. 21 (Ajalen Holley)

Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine and SB Nation. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.

Stephen M. Smith

Stephen Smith is a 2015 graduate of the University of Alabama. He is a senior writer and reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. He has covered Alabama football for 15 years and his knowledge and coverage of the Crimson Tide's program have made him among the most respected journalist in his field. Smith has been featured on ESPN and several other marquee outlets as an analyst.