Another commitment; Practice Update

N ick Saban continues his stunning debut as Alabama head football coach with yet another early commitment. This time Saban grabs a second Mobile area player with St. Paul’s Ivan Matchett. Matchett pledged to work on his teammates in an effort to garner even more Mobile talent attending the Capstone. Already in the 2008 recruiting class from the Mobile area was running back Jermaine Preyear.

Matchett is a 5’10″ 205lbs. running back who rushed for 1,416-yards and 22 touchdowns. He was honorable mention on the All-State team for Class 5A.

SPRING PRACTICE NOTES:
“After three practices, we have made a lot of progress,” Saban said. “We still have a long way to go…Players are certainly willing to do whatever we ask them to do. We are trying to develop a lot of new habits.”

Saban said the Wednesday practice showed better “intensity.”

He also praised the receivers.

“Our receivers have been doing a very good job. I have been impressed with them as a group,” Saban said. “We have three or four guys out there that seem to make plays on a pretty consistent basis.”

Saban said John Parker Wilson has done a good job with decision making.

And what could be most important of all: the offensive line is showing progress.

“I think the offensive line has shown some positives,” Saban said. He pointed to the experience of the offensive linemen as a real boost during practices.

Lots of different players are getting work at RT in large part due to Chris Capps injury limiting his work. Stabler has seen work there with three or four others.

As for defense?

“We’ve got a lot to learn,” Saban said.

Saban announced the first player to leave the team: redshirt safety Andy Davis. Saban said Davis left the team for “personal reasons. Brian Motley moves from center to DT; Zeke Knight and Brandon Fanney working at hybrid defensive end/OLB positions. The defensive line looks to be thin moving through spring. It will be interesting to see what freshmen get a shot on the defensive line in the fall.