TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — John Parker Wilson knows what he's getting into as the No. 1 quarterback at the University of Alabama.

His mother, Susan, was an Alabama cheerleader at the end of the Bear Bryant era. He was a star quarterback at Hoover High School, less than an hour's drive from the Alabama campus.

"I like pressure situations," he said. "The more people looking at me, I think I do better. I thrive on that.

"You expect pressure. That's why you come here."

Wilson, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound sophomore, played sparingly last season as a backup to Brodie Croyle. His biggest news splash came when he was arrested for driving under the influence last October.

Despite the off-the-field incident and Wilson's on-the-field inexperience, Alabama coaches wouldn't have hesitated entrusting him with their offense last season.

"I felt very confident that if Brodie had not been able to stay healthy, we would have been a good team with John Parker at quarterback," coach Mike Shula said at last week's pre-spring press conference.

Shula and offensive coordinator Dave Rader describe Wilson as a strong-armed, athletic quarterback whose quick release is only slightly behind Croyle's. Shula is just as complimentary of Wilson's less-tangible attributes.

"He loves the game, loves to compete," Shula said. "I think guys tend to follow someone like that."

Alabama will support its new quarterback with eight returning starters on offense, including senior running back Ken Darby, who already has rushed for 2,489 yards. But the most prominent playmaker remains questionable. Wide receiver Tyrone Prothro, who suffered a broken leg last fall against Florida, underwent a second operation last Tuesday. He will miss spring drills and might not be ready for the 2006 season.

"We won't know anything until June," Shula said when asked about Prothro's status for the fall.

Most of Alabama's uncertainty is on defense, where it lost seven starters — and six three-year starters — from a 10-2 team.

"The main thing about the spring is to identify players," veteran defensive coordinator Joe Kines said. "We have some guys who can run, and we have some guys who have played."

Junior Ezekial Knight will be one of the most-closely watched players on the Alabama defense. Knight will try to make the adjustment from wide receiver to defensive end as the Tide seeks to strengthen its pass rush.

Former Powell High School player Baron Huber will move the other way — from defense to offense. Huber, who was redshirted last fall, will go from linebacker to fullback.

"We talked about (that switch) a little bit during the season," Shula said. "We put him there for a few drills. He has the mentality, 'I'll do whatever you want to help the team.' "

The move could pay off for Huber later on. The two fullbacks listed ahead of him — Le'Ron McClain and Tim Castille — are seniors.

With those senior fullbacks, Darby and four starters returning in the offensive line, Alabama's running game should improve. Even without Prothro, the Tide has experienced wide receivers in Keith Brown and DJ Hall.

The rest of the offense will be up to the son of a former Alabama cheerleader.

Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.