TUSCALOOSA — Alabama head coach Nick Saban this week awarded scholarships to former walk-ons defensive back Tyrone King, placekicker Leigh Tiffin and punter and holder P.J. Fitzgerald.
“Each one of these guys have played the most significant role of any of the guys who have walked on our team,” Saban said after Tuesday’s practice.
“I think this is a message to all our guys that want to walk on, that we try to re-enforce positive performance, guys that become contributors for our team in any way, shape or form. We certainly like to put them on scholarships when scholarships are available.”
While Tiffin and Fitzgerald are high-profile players, King, a junior, has created a place for himself in the secondary and on special teams.
“I’m excited. I’m still in shock,” said King, whose late father played for Bear Bryant.
King has walked on at Alabama with a Bryant scholarship, but transferred to Grambling when he was academically ineligible. He made his grades and returned to Alabama.
“He earned it,” Javier Arenas said of his teammate. “He’s working hard out there and he knows the plays pretty good. I’m really happy for him and proud of him.”
What’s ahead: Tuesday was Alabama’s first day on the field since Saturday’s final preseason scrimmage. Saban said Alabama will work to improve trouble spots from the scrimmage.
“Today’s practice and tomorrow’s practice we’ve kind of dedicated to try to improve on fundamental things we need to do to get better and some of the things we haven’t been able to practice enough on,” Saban said. “Then on Thursday we’ll probably re-center our focus more toward the first game.”
That would be the Aug. 30 opener against ninth-ranked Clemson in Atlanta’s Georgia Dome.
Higgenbotham recovering: Linebacker Charlie Higgenbotham was in a black (no-contact) jersey and rode a stationary bike during the early part of Tuesday’s practice. He also was held out of the scrimmage.
“He has a groin injury and he’s day-to-day,” Saban said. “We’re hopeful that he’ll be back in a few days. He had a sports hernia after spring practice. This is not related to that. But because it’s in the same area, we’re trying to take it slow and easy.”
Sign of fall: After three brutal weeks of training camp, Alabama players welcome the return of classes, which start today.
“That fall feeling is in the air,” offensive guard Mike Johnson said. “It was breezy out at practice today. We’re starting to get that feeling (like) it’s game time, it’s time to go. Everybody’s talking about the Clemson game, and it’s going to pick up with classes starting. It’s coming; we can’t wait for it to get here.”
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