re: Bama Football Tidings

Posted on 8/1/19 at 6:21 pm to RollTide66

Posted by TidalSurge1

Ft Walton Beach

Member since Sep 2016

36467 posts

Posted on 8/1/19 at 6:21 pm to RollTide66

Report: Two Tide starters to be limited when fall camp opens

quote:

A pair of projected Alabama starters will reportedly be limited when fall camp opens Friday according to AL.com's Matt Zenitz.

Tight end Miller Forristall (foot) and defensive end LaBryan Ray (ankle) suffered injuries earlier in the summer, underwent surgeries and are expected to be limited for at least the first couple weeks of fall camp. Both players are expected to be fine and ready to play in the Crimson Tide's season opener against Duke in Atlanta on Aug. 31.

Forristall saw his 2017 season cut short by an ACL injury in the Colorado State game, and after redshirting that year, he served as a reserve a season ago behind starters Hale Hentges and Irv Smith Jr. Forristall did not record a reception in his 15 games played during the 2018 campaign, but he did return a pair of kickoffs for five total yards. Still, his third year wasn’t what the tight end envisioned.

That will change in 2019, however. With Hentges exhausting his eligibility and Smith electing to turn pro, Forristall is the No. 1 option at tight end -- a position that lacks experienced depth.

As a true sophomore in 2018, Ray provided depth along the Crimson Tide’s defensive line. He saw time in all 15 of Alabama’s games last season, making one start against Tennessee. Ray recorded 39 total tackles, including 5.5 for loss (-13 yards) and 2.5 sacks (-9 yards), and added two pass breakups and two quarterback hurries coming off the bench a year ago as a sophomore.

During UA’s 15 spring practices, Ray was a consistent first-teamer opposite rising senior Raekwon Davis and started the A-Day Game. With Quinnen Williams and Isaiah Buggs not returning, the 6-foot-5 junior has an opportunity to take that next step in his third season in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

BamaOnLine reported in mid-July what head coach Nick Saban said about Ray's health status at SEC Media Days, but according to this report, Ray will need a little more time to return to full strength.

“He’s had some foot and ankle things that have bothered him a little bit in the offseason, but we expect him to 100-percent, full-go when we get started in August,” Saban said. “I think he’s a player that we definitely want to count on to be a good leader on our team and someone who can contribute and be very productive.”

Alabama will hold its first practice of the preseason Friday, Aug. 2, at 2:30 pm CT.