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TUSCALOOSA - Alabama coach Nick Saban always insisted he had a plan. Way back when spring practice ended and it appeared the roster might contain too few spots for too many signees, he said everything was under control. "It'll all work out," Saban said, in April. Thursday was reporting day for the Crimson Tide, and Saban was proven correct. Not only were 25 signees able to join the two freshmen who enrolled before spring practice, but the team even looks to be under the NCAA-mandated 85 scholarship limit. And Saban didn't even need to revoke anyone's scholarship.

Thanks to a plethora of reasons - from injuries to transfers to arrests - the Crimson Tide no longer has a numbers crunch, an issue that previously drew loud media criticism. Saban chalked it up to natural evolution of a program. "We really want to try to develop good habits with our players so that we don't have attrition on our squad," Saban said. "But if you look across the board, you see a certain amount of attrition in most programs." The first, split-squad practice begins today for veterans at 3 p.m., and for newcomers at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 105 players reported to receive equipment and undergo a series of conditioning tests.

Earlier in the day, Saban cleared up some personnel issues:

Linebacker Prince Hall will be suspended for the first three games of the season, Saban said, though the junior will practice with the team. His return is scheduled for Sept. 20 against Arkansas. Hall missed the spring because of disciplinary issues, and his status had been in doubt. Senior receiver Will Oakley will not be on the 105-man roster during camp while he recovers from a stress fracture in his foot. Oakley had one catch for 16 yards last year. "Will knows the offense," Saban said. "We are talking about him rejoining the team once school starts. That will not be an issue." As expected, redshirt freshman lineman Patrick Crump of Hoover left the team for what Saban deemed "personal reasons." Rush Propst, the former Bucs coach, said Wednesday that Crump's "heart wasn't in it."

Three freshmen did not report because of academics, though only two - tight end Devonta Bolton and defensive end Brandon Lewis of Pleasant Grove - have already enrolled at junior college. Signee Jermaine Preyear of Mobile will delay his entry into school until January after undergoing shoulder surgery.

Former Hoover star defensive tackle Kerry Murphy, originally a 2007 recruit who spent last year at Hargrave Military Academy, is "still short" of qualifying, Saban said. UA has appealed on Murphy's behalf, but Saban said, "With a little more academic work this fall, he should be eligible in January."

Tight end Colin Peek, a transfer from Georgia Tech, had his appeal for immediate eligibility denied by the NCAA, Saban said. He will practice, but his only year of eligibility will come in 2009. The family may still appeal.

With all the recent developments, Alabama comes in under the 85. Without Preyear and Oakley in camp this fall, there are only 83 players on scholarship. If signee Wesley Neighbors of Huntsville accepts an academic-based Bryant Scholarship, as expected, the number becomes 82. It didn't always appear this would be the case. The Tide lost 15 seniors from its 2007 team, then signed 32 prospects last February. By the time spring ended, two recruits enrolled early, but five players had left. Linemen Cody Davis and B.J. Stabler, and defensive back Chris Lett were placed on medical scholarship. Tremayne Coger transferred to Jacksonville State and Jeremy Elder was arrested and charged with armed robbery.

During offseason conditioning, tight end Charles Hoke (shoulder), defensive back Lionel Mitchell (back) and linebacker Ezekial Knight (heart) were placed on medical scholarship. Defensive back Tarence Farmer transferred to Wyoming, while linebacker Jimmy Johns was arrested and charged with six drug-related offenses. Two others - wide receivers Destin Hood (Washington Nationals) and Melvin Ray (Los Angeles Dodgers) - took the pro baseball route instead. Throw in Crump's decision to call it quits and the five total recruits who did not enroll, Alabama had its desired number. That means the focus can solely be on football. "We're anxious to get started," Saban said.

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS

I'm glad everything worked out in the end. Even if Saban had to run off a couple of the guys, it unfortnately had to be done either way.