Former Foley receiver Julio Jones stars in Alabama’s second scrimmage
TUSCALOOSA — In a preseason abuzz with excitement over Alabama’s newest signing class, one freshman continues to leap above the others.
Receiver Julio Jones of Foley was the statistical star of Saturday afternoon’s scrimmage at Bryant-Denny Stadium, all but cementing a contributing role this season with five catches for a team-best 125 yards and one touchdown.
Jones was one of six players to catch at least three passes — according to statistics released by Alabama — in the Crimson Tide’s final full-scale scrimmage of the preseason.
Vigor’s B.J. Scott added five catches for 56 yards, a sign he also is working into the team’s primary receiver rotation.
“We spread the ball around a little bit more today,” coach Nick Saban said. “We were a little more effective throwing it, but defensively I thought we played better in this scrimmage. We were more consistent. Same thing, though, we gave up a couple of big plays.”
As always, Saturday’s scrimmage was closed to the media and public, but Saban seemed more pleased than last week with the performance on both sides of the football.
Saban sought to make the second scrimmage more like a real game. For the first 60 snaps, assistant coaches were in the press box relaying calls to those wearing headsets on the field. The Crimson Tide again “moved a lot of guys around,” Saban said, to evaluate as many as possible with fall classes starting Wednesday and the Aug. 30 opener against Clemson less than two weeks away.
al.com
8/17/08
Magnolia Tribune
