Linebacker shift may be on at Bama

Alabama may be considering splitting up its inside linebacker tandem of Rolando McClain and Dont’a Hightower.

Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban certainly didn’t make that announcement on National Signing Day, but he did note Alabama’s need for a more effective rush from the edge while reviewing his just-signed crop of linebackers.

“Those guys are outstanding players,” he said. “(Andalusia’s) Nico Johnson is outstanding. Tana Patrick, same kind of player. We’ve had both of those guys in camp for a couple years. They’re both athletic, they both got size, they both can run. They have good speed. Both of them may be able to be pass rushers. Ed Stinson really was one of the better guys that we found that had that long, angular, 6-foot-4-plus, pass-rushing ability, first-step quickness and all that.

“Which we need some guys like that. Hightower has that but we played him inside all year and played him (outside) a little bit in the bowl game and he got two sacks.”

Johnson confirmed that a position change could be looming for Hightower, who will be a sophomore this fall. Asked if he preferred inside or outside linebacker, the Andalusia standout said it didn’t matter.

“I think I fit outside or inside,” Johnson said. “He talked to me about playing inside, because they’re moving Hightower to an outside rusher. So they talked to me about playing inside. I’m going to have to beat somebody out for a spot.”

Johnson said he liked the challenge of competing. Asked about playing time, he smiled and said, “You’re going to have to earn everything you get up there.”

Surgeries: Saban confirmed that freshman all-American receiver Julio Jones had minor shoulder to clean up his shoulder.

“He did have a surgery and it was minor in nature to his shoulder and he’s fine,” Saban said during his signing day press conference. “We had several players who have had surgeries. I don’t think none will miss spring practice because of it, and only a few who won’t be able to start the offseason program next Thursday on Feb. 12.

“Rather than spend time on all the minor injuries that we had and the guy who had his thumb fixed, or whatever, we’ll just release that information to you sometime here in the near future.”

Another surgery came up during the briefing. Gadsden defensive back Dre Kilpatrick, among the most touted cornerback candidates in the nation, was in a sling as he committed to the Crimson Tide. Again, Saban said it was minor.

“I think that the surgery that Dre Kirkpatrick had, he actually wanted to do it,” the coach said. “It’s usually a three-month rehab, something that needed to be done. He had had several occasions in high school where his shoulder came out.

“It’s not an unusual injury for football players, and I think it will certainly enhance his future career by getting it done. It’s not something that is usually an issue moving forward with a player’s career.”

What’s next: A day after the spotlight was on the players, Saban said what comes next will determine how effective a recruiting class will be.

“It’s the same analogy I use every year here: The best puppy dogs don’t always group up to be the best hunting dogs,” the coach said. “It takes a lot of maturity, it takes the right stuff for these guys to now get out of the limelight of what recruiting brings to them and go to work on what they need to do to be outstanding players. … It goes away from recruiting and it goes toward development of what you have to be to be a complete student-athlete.”

Hart promoted: Executive athletics director Dave Hart has officially become the department’s chief operating officer. Athletics director Mal Moore announced the change Thursday, but it was anticipated since Hart was hired last summer.

Hart is in charge of the daily operations of the athletic department.

Moore retains oversight of the department, although his time will be centered on fundraising in anticipation of the Bryant-Denny Stadium expansion.

“I plan to be in this chair for several more years,” Moore said. “This is a pivotal moment in the history of Alabama athletics, and I didn’t want to miss a chance to hire a person of Dave’s caliber to help shape the future of the program. This is all about what is good for Alabama athletics. It’s something I wanted to do for a while now, and I am excited about the possibilities.”

Under this new structure all members of the executive staff, including the compliance office, will report directly to Hart, who reports directly to Moore.