Alabama announced Wednesday that eight football players have enrolled early and are eligible to go through spring practice.
The early arrivals are quarterback Blake Barnett, running backs DeSherrius Flowers and Bo Scarbrough, offensive linemen Brandon Kennedy and Dallas Warmack, defensive tackle Jonathan Taylor, and safeties Ronnie Harrison and Deionte Thompson. Barnett, Scarbrough and Thompson are each five-star prospects, with Scarbrough having signed with the Crimson Tide last year before failing to qualify.
Taylor was dismissed from Georgia last July after an arrest on felony aggravated assault and family violence. He played this past season at Copiah-Lincoln (Miss.) Community College, where he tallied 44 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.
"Jonathan Taylor was admitted to the University of Alabama following the same procedures that the UA admissions office uses to evaluate any student who has dealt with legal issues," the university said in a statement. "The admissions process includes representatives from academic, legal, student affairs, student conduct, UAPD and counseling. Athletics is not involved in the admissions process.
"Taylor's continued enrollment depends on his ability to fulfill all requirements the university has specifically mandated for him during his time as a UA student."
As a redshirt freshman for Georgia in 2013, Taylor played in 10 games and tallied nine tackles, including a sack against Appalachian State. He was among four Bulldogs players last spring arrested on a theft by deception charge after trying to cash stipend checks twice.
Crimson Tide athletic director Bill Battle said Taylor was "thoroughly investigated" and that he had a lengthy visit with him.
"Our coaches and I feel he is worthy of a second chance at completing his college football career at this level," Battle said in a statement, "and that he fully understands the position in which he has placed himself."
Barnett is the nation's top dual-threat quarterback according to 247Sports.com, while Thompson is the nation's No. 2 safety. Warmack is the younger brother of former Crimson Tide All-American and first-round NFL draft pick Chance Warmack.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.