Alabama led the SEC and was 9th in the nation in rushing last season and still returns nine starters from that group. Both leading rushers are back for the ride, including Ahmaad Galloway, who was voted spring MVP, and super prospect Santonio Beard. All five starting linemen are cemented in place for 2001, including All-American Candidate Alonzo Ephraim at center. Ephraim was named the winner of the Dwight Stephenson award for the most valuable offensive lineman during the spring game. Also keep an eye on Freshman All-American Justin Smiley at guard, who has already reserved a spot in the Alabama history books as potentially one of the best offensive linemen to wear the Crimson jersey. There is little doubt about who will play quarterback. Coach Franchione claims the arms race has settled in with senior Tyler Watts. Speculation was abound in Tuscaloosa that young super recruit Brodie Croyle, a redshirt freshman, had a chance to unseat Watts. That is not the case. "Tyler deserves to be No. 1," Alabama coach Dennis Franchione said at the start of spring practice. "If he finishes there, then so be it." Watts accounted for 1,889 yards of total offense and 15 touchdowns in 2001 while splitting time with Andrew Zow, who has now moved on to play Canadian football. Spring practice also brought about the emergence of the A-back and W-back positions. Coaches refer to the scheme as the "Root Beer Series". The A-back is a hybrid tailback/receiver position, while the W-back pulls together the talents of a fullback and tight end. Look for the Tide to start opening up the offense this season with more deep routes by receivers and backs catching the pigskin. Alabama will need to locate some assistance at receiver if the passing game is going to make any leeway with Freddie Milons moving on. No wonder the coaches have flirted with new looks to get some bodies open. The offensive line really came on strong to close out 2001, just less than six months ago. No reason exists why the Tide cannot get the chains moving.

The names on the defensive unit in Tuscaloosa are astounding. The foundation of the Crimson Tide roster will be the men up front on the defensive line. Four-year season veterans like Jarret Johnson, Kindal Moorehead, and Kenny King make this group about as developed as they come. However much of that talent skipped quite a bit of time in the spring with injuries, but all are expected to be full-speed by the start of the fall. With the vacancies, many healthy players caught a few positive glimpses from coaches of things to come, adding good depth to an already solid core. Anthony Bryant, Antwan Odom, and Gerard Clark all made the most of the increased practice time. "Most of the spring we had five possible starters that didn't practice," said Alabama defensive coordinator Carl Torbush. "That has helped all those other guys get better. I think with Jarret and Kindal not being there, Kenny King had to step up as a leader and it caused him to become a better player. I really like his athletic skills. He has really turned into a big-time football player." Head coach Dennis Franchione also had a few complimentary words to say about his star end. "Kenny King has probably had the best spring of all the defensive linemen. He is a better player than I have ever seen him be."

Many doubters question the limits of the linebacking crew with Saleem Rasheed leaving prematurely to the NFL. Coach Carl Torbush has a different idea. "Brooks Daniels and Cornelius Wortham are two really good football players who I think eventually play for All-SEC honors," Torbush explained. "They are that caliber player. They are solid, consistent, and get better every day. We've got two really good players. I've been amazed at their ability to understand everything we've got." Senior fullback Marvin Brown has converted from fullback to playing the middle, but needs to develop some consistency as one might expect a player at a new position to operate. He has all of the skills and physical attributes to make a solid contribution. You can also add incoming JC All American Derrick Pope to the Tide linebacking corps, making this group a sure diamond in the rough.

Alabama fans suffered through a horrible display by the defensive backs last year as this group struggled to stop opponents with quality passing attacks. Supposedly this unit made great strides this spring according to coaches. The emergence of numerous players that sat out last fall has the fans feeling much more confidant. "Our cornerback play this spring has us all excited about Anthony Madison and Charlie Peprah - and realize that Hirchel Bolden wasn't out there," Torbush stated. "There is no question, the redshirt freshmen have made a difference right now. Anthony Madison has had a great spring. There is no doubt about that. Roman Harper has a chance to be, eventually, a big time safety. Charlie Peprah gives us a big, strong, physical cornerback." Many of the tested players have chimed right in. Right now coaches have gotten five safeties they feel pretty good about, which gives the defense some added flexibility. But a word of caution, one spring of intra-squad musings does not magically fix the broken wagon wheel. If anyone had the stomach to view the LSU game last year, you are aware of the situation. If the Tide is to make any improvement on last fall, it will need to start here with a complete 180-degree turn.

Both leading rushers are back for the ride, including Ahmaad Galloway, who was voted spring MVP.