The Alabama Crimson Tide started their bowl prep ahead of the College Football Playoff matchup against Clemson on Friday, and they did so without defensive coordinator (and new Tennessee head coach) Jeremy Pruitt, according to ESPN’s Alex Scarborough.
This was expected ahead of the early signing period that starts Wednesday, December 20.
Pruitt explained in his opening press conference in Knoxville that he’d be recruiting for the Vols until the dead period starts, which is Monday. Tennessee has a huge recruiting weekend ahead, and it’s obviously crucial that Pruitt is in town.
Jeremy Pruitt was not present for Alabama's first day back at practice, but is expected back after recruiting this weekend with Monday being the start of the dead period. Pruitt is staying on as Alabama's defensive coordinator through the playoff, but… https://t.co/sgurrqExbC
— Alex Scarborough (@ByScarborough) December 15, 2017
“Jeremy is going to finish the season with us,” Nick Saban said at the College Football Hall of Fame earlier this month. “He’s going to go do some things to get his program started at Tennessee. When we’re ready to practice, he’ll be back with us, be a part of the Playoff. I really appreciate the fact that Kirby did a great job of doing that a couple years ago when he had an opportunity. I think it shows a lot of respect for the players on our team who worked hard to help us all have success this season.”
Pruitt is known as a great recruiter, and it’ll be interesting to see how strong Tennessee closes on the recruiting trail and how Alabama plays in the College Football Playoff. Pruitt’s absence for a couple practices isn’t that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things.
Alabama plays Clemson in the College Football Playoff semifinal (Sugar Bowl) on January 1.
A graduate of the University of Florida and founder of Saturday Down South, Kevin is a college football enthusiast.
