Neither announcement from Alabama comes as a surprise.
The first is that freshman running back Jamar Taylor has been granted his request to be released from his scholarship and has left the Crimson Tide football program. The native of Lakeland, Fla., enrolled at UA last January and participated in spring drills with the team.
Since the end of the spring semester there have been numerous rumors about Taylor transferring, probably to South Florida in Tampa, which is not far from his home. Those rumors got a big boost from Bama Coach Nick Saban, who confirmed earlier this week that Taylor had some personal problems and needed to be closer to his home.
Taylor saw action in the 2007 A-Day game, where he had 44 yards on 10 carries.
Also this weekend, The University of Alabama ticket office announced the public sale of two games, Western Carolina and Louisiana Monroe, to go on sale Monday, July 16, 2007 at 8:00 a.m. Tickets from this sale are from sections not used by visiting teams.
Tickets will be limited to FOUR tickets per customer, and fans are encouraged to order online to save on handling fees at www.rolltide.com. Fans may also call (205) 348-BAMA (2262), or toll free at 1-877-TIDETIX. The Athletic Ticket Office in Coleman Coliseum is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Extended phone hours are through 8:00 p.m. weekdays, and 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturdays.
The Tide will open the 2007 season on September 1, against Western Carolina, game time is still to be determined. Louisiana Monroe will visit Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 17.