Thursday March 28th, 2024 10:12AM

Saban: NCAA to decide if Jones, Ingram can play

By The Associated Press
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Alabama coach Nick Saban isn't saying whether he will play receiver Julio Jones and tailback Mark Ingram in the fifth-ranked Crimson Tide's season opener Saturday against No. 7 Virginia Tech pending an NCAA ruling on a fishing trip they took.

``I think that is up to the NCAA,'' Saban said Wednesday. ``I don't think it's my decision to do anything. We are hoping for a response and we want to do what we need to do to do things the right way, from a program standpoint and for the players' best interest.''

A university investigation concluded Jones and Ingram committed no violations by taking a Gulf Coast fishing trip paid for by Athens businessman Curtis Anderson. The university said Anderson was not an Alabama booster or fan; he described himself as a friend of the two players.

But the NCAA has not ruled on the players' status, and a spokeswoman did not immediately return a call.

``I think the institution has handled the situation with tremendous professional integrity and we're hopeful that we'll have some kind of resolution to this situation in the short term,'' Saban said.

Jones was an All-Southeastern Conference receiver as a freshman in a receiving corps that lacks other proven playmakers. Ingram is set to replace All-SEC tailback Glen Coffee after leading the team with 12 touchdown runs as a freshman.

Saban said end Brandon Deaderick probably won't play after getting shot in the arm during an apparent robbery attempt.
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