Sims gets Tide's final spot

By Michael Casagrande

sports@timesfreepress.com

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The answer to who the 105th and final roster member would be was answered at Thursday evening's practice for Alabama football newcomers.

Freshman Blake Sims got the green light to participate by the NCAA Clearinghouse, meaning Deion Belue would not be with the team this season. NCAA rules allow a maximum of 105 players in preseason practice.

Sims, from Gainesville, Ga., was on the practice field under the lights Thursday working with the Crimson Tide's talented group of freshman defensive backs. Returning players practiced at 9:30 a.m.

Belue, also a defensive back, had not qualified academically as of Wednesday, and attempts to update his status Thursday were unsuccessful. Coach Nick Saban said Belue's academic issues "may or may not get resolved."

Sims' father, Sonny Sims, told The Birmingham News that Blake took two classes at a Mississippi junior college to reach NCAA requirements.

Cornerback Dequan Menzie was a lone newcomer participating in the morning workout. The junior college transfer took reps with the small group of returning defensive backs - including the other top candidate for a starting cornerback job, Dre Kirkpatrick. LSU transfer Phelon Jones also worked at cornerback in spring practice, along with true freshman early enrollee DeMarcus Milliner and sophomore B.J. Scott.

Having two practices meant extra work for all. There simply weren't enough bodies in either session for players to get the kind of rest they are used to getting.

"We only had nine linemen in practice, and we'll only have nine in the afternoon," starting center William Vlachos said. "So there are a lot of people shuffling around. There are a lot of guys playing 1s, 2s, guard, tackle, center."

Practice resumes at 2:30 p.m. CDT today and 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

Dareus saying little

Marcell Dareus hasn't talked much about his ongoing eligibility issue, and fellow defensive end Luther Davis isn't asking.

As Alabama waits to hear from the NCAA about Dareus' status, Davis said his younger teammate is handling the controversy well.

"He's not any different," Davis said. "He still playing around, watching cartoons and still hanging out. He's just such a laid-back, lovable person. He's a great guy. A lot of people try to make him out to be something he's not. I know in my heart what kind of person he is, and everyone on the team knows what kind of person he is."

Saban said Wednesday that the school is waiting for a ruling from the NCAA after an investigation into potentially improper dealings between Dareus and a sports agent. No timetable for a decision has been announced.

Dareus was on the practice field Thursday with the first-team defensive line.

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