Roster Notes

Finally... The University of Alabama football team has reported by Fall practice. As expected, we found out several things as a result. The following is an incomplete list of things we know thus far:

• Tyrone Prothro has been moved to a medical scholarship, and thus will not count against the maximum of 85 scholarships. He can return to play football at a later date, however. According to Nick Saban, there is a plan in place, and if -- and it's reasons like this as to why they say if is the biggest word in the English language -- he can become healthy again, he will get a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA and be able to play again. For now, though, he will miss all of 2007 and be on a medical scholarship.
  

• Michael Ricks did not qualify, contrary to his own reports. As a result, he will not be playing for Alabama this year, or at any point in the future. I imagine we as a whole should stop trusting the specifics of what he says.
  

• Johnathon Lowe, the shifty kick returner transfer from Mississippi Stat who was expected to return some kicks this year, is academically ineligible, and will not play in the 2007 season. No word one way or the other on his future, though I would imagine he would stay with the team and try to regain his eligibility.
  

• Ezekiel Knight has been given a medical hardship waiver, and will thus be a junior, not a senior. This is huge news for us, because Knight, with the extra year, will likely take over for Keith Saunders at the Jack position when Keith graduates after the 2007 season.
  

• Darren Mustin, the walk-on transfer Mike from Middle Tennessee State, has been moved to a scholarship. We will still, however, be under the limit of 85. Congratulations on a job well done, Darren.
  

• Byron Walton, a freshman defensive tackle, has also been moved to a medical scholarship. All that is said now for a reason is "heat-related issues," so I have no clue on this one. I was not expecting him to play very much, but I certainly was not expecting this. Apparently it was a major problem that could have serious repercussions, so he is on the shelf for 2007.
  

• Jake Jones, a freshman wide receiver out of Mountain Brook (and son of former Tide legend Joey Jones), has also been moved to a medical scholarship. It is listed as leg related, but again I have no clue. He missed all of Spring and all of summer workouts with the same affliction, but I have no clue as what is precisely wrong.
  

• Nick Gentry, the 2007 signee from Prattville, will start Fall practice rehabilitating a shoulder injury that required surgery, and will not partake in team drills. In other words, he'll likely redshirt this year, and coaches will try to figure out where to play him. The injury is a high school injury that the coaching staff and the Alabama medical staff advised him to have corrected via a surgical procedure. Again, most likely it means a redshirt is on the way for Mr. Gentry.
  

• Terry Grant was not mentioned as getting a medical hardship waiver. I fully expect him to be granted one, but as of this point, it has not been officially indicated.
  

• Kerry Murphy, as expected, did not qualify, and will now enroll at Hargrave in the coming weeks. Hopefully he can become eligible and return to the Tide next Fall. Lord knows we could use him at defensive tackle.
  

• Ross Applegate has transferred to Alabama. Applegate is a 6'5, 197 pound freshman quarterback who had committed to Boston College a year ago. He is from Marietta, Georgia, and is now with the Tide. No reason as to why he transferred.
  

Apparently the roster will be posted in the coming days on RollTide.com, so we'll see if there are any more changes, but for now that is it.