SPRING AHEAD
All eyes will be on quarterback this spring, with the graduation of the schools' all-time passing leader, John Parker Wilson. The competition will be between junior Greg McElroy, who played as Wilson's back-up last year, and Star Jackson, who sat out last year as a redshirt. They will try to solidify a spot to hold off incoming freshman A.J. McCarron of Mobile, the only quarterback signed in this recruiting class.

The other big question for the spring will be replacing starting center Antoine Caldwell and three-year starting left tackle Andre Smith. The Tide offense struggled in games last year when Smith was injured or out. Mike Johnson got the start in Smith's place in the Sugar Bowl, but incoming freshman D.J. Fluker is expected to get a long look in the fall.

At running back, Mark Ingram returns for his sophomore year and is expected to step up to the starting role, replacing Glen Coffee, who was the SEC's second leading rusher last year. However, another incoming freshman -- Trent Richardson of Pensacola's Escambia High, the same high school that produced former NFL great Emmitt Smith -- will have a chance to say something about the tailback spot in the fall.

PRO POTENTIAL

LT Andre Smith -- A consensus top three pick, Smith was a dominant left tackle from the moment he stepped on campus. Smith elected to leave after his junior year. He was the Tide's most consistent run blocker for three years, and its best pass-blocker, too, protecting QB John Parker Wilson's blind side.

SS Rashad Johnson -- A former walk-on who wound up his career as an All-American, with 224 career tackles and 11 interceptions. Johnson had five interceptions as a senior. Johnson became Nick Saban's quarterback on defense because of his knowledge of every position on the field and ability to react to offensive formations. Johnson impressed scouts this year as the leader of one of the best defenses in the country.

RB Glen Coffee -- The SEC's second-leading rusher (1,383 yards) surprised many by coming out after his junior season. He isn't considered one of the top running backs coming out this year, but perhaps he figured with so many holes to fill on the Alabama offensive line, he might never have as good a year as he did this past year.

OC Antoine Caldwell -- Considered one of the top centers in college football. However, centers are not always a priority in the NFL, and Caldwell is expected to be a mid-round draft pick.

QB John Parker Wilson -- Threw for 7,924 yards and 47 touchdowns in his Alabama career. Wilson was the MVP of the Senior Bowl game.

ROSTER REPORT

--The Tide hopes to get an immediate impact from four players who enrolled in January and will be ready to participate in spring practice.

One of those -- Hoover, Ala., defensive lineman Kerry Murphy -- ends an almost three-year journey to get eligible. The 6-5, 315-pounder spent 2007 at Hargrave Military Academy, and the 2008 season trying to get eligible to enroll at Alabama.

Two big offensive linemen also join the team for spring: James Carpenter (6-5, 305) of Coffeyville, Kan., and 6-3, 325-pound Chance Warmack of Westlake High in Atlanta.

The other early enrollee is freshman Jermaine Preyear, who was listed as the No. 20 running back nationally by Rivals.com.

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