Alabama holds first 2-a-day practice

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Alabama football team held its first two-a-day practice of camp on Wednesday with a 9:30 a.m. workout in full pads that lasted roughly two hours at the Thomas-Drew Practice Facility. The Crimson Tide will return to the practice at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday’s two practices mark the sixth and seventh of the 28-practice preseason schedule. The Crimson Tide will conduct a single workout on Thursday afternoon before the second two-a-day on Friday. Alabama will then hold the first scrimmage of camp on Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium. It is closed to the public.

“Things have gone very well so far in camp,” Alabama defensive back Vinnie Sunseri said following Wednesday’s morning practice. “We are working very hard. Coach Saban is pushing us, and we are getting a lot better every day.”

Alabama had four defensive players drafted in the first 35 picks of the 2012 NFL Draft and return just four starters in 2012. With playing time being contested throughout the defense, effort appears to be at a high level.

“Honestly everyone on the defensive side of the ball is stepping up and making plays in an effort to earn playing time,” Sunseri said. “The freshmen are making strides and the older guys are playing very sound football.”

Sunseri, a sophomore from Northridge High School in Tuscaloosa, played in all 13 games a season ago with 31 total tackles as a regular on special teams and a reserve safety.

-- Univ. of Alabama media services