It is back to work for Alabama football, as it returned to practice Monday with its eyes set on Arkansas. The Crimson Tide practice at Thomas-Drew Field in mostly cloudy, 82-degree weather conditions. Yours truly of Touchdown Alabama Magazine providing all observations.
Notes from Monday’s practice
- Wide receiver Raheem Falkins (leg) was limited in practice. He did participate some in drills, but remained at back of the line.
- Freshman running back Bo Scarbrough wasn’t in a scout-team jersey. He made his first college football appearance last week against Georgia.
- Defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach Kirby Smart had all inside ‘backers’ working the sled, upon finishing a footwork drill. “Big hog” is what Smart kept shouting at them, as Alabama will face Razorbacks’ ball carrier Alex Collins. He was half of Arkansas 1,000-yard rushing duo in 2014 (Jonathan Williams, out).
- Freshman running back Xavian Marks was working with receivers. He sported a No.17 scout-team jersey, representing Arkansas’ wide receiver Jojo Robinson.
- Wide receivers Derek Kief and Deionte Thompson both wore No. 80 jerseys, representing Razorbacks’ tight end Drew Morgan. Morgan has totaled 413 receiving yards and three touchdowns this season. He has become a primary target.
Other Alabama players in scout-team jerseys
- DB Shawn Burgess-Becker (#9, representing Arkansas’ DB Santos Ramirez)
- DB Kendall Sheffield (#2, representing Arkansas’ DB DJ Dean)
- OLB Christian Miller (#55, representing Arkansas’ DL Jeremiah Ledbetter)
- DL O.J. Smith (#94, representing Arkansas’ DL Taiwan Johnson)
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine.
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