Saban: Smith could return to Alabama

NEW ORLEANS — Alabama coach Nick Saban didn’t rule out the possibility Wednesday of All-America left tackle Andre Smith returning for his senior season. An NCAA spokeswoman, meanwhile, said the governing body has spoken with university officials and determined that it is an internal matter.

Saban suspended the Outland Trophy winner for Friday night’s Sugar Bowl against No. 7 Utah after alleged dealings with a sports agent.

“Andre Smith is a fine young man and he did a great job here for us,” Saban said in his first public comments since announcing the suspension in a statement Monday. “He may be doing a great job for someone else in the future or he may be doing a great job for us in the future. That decision has not yet been made.”

Saban said Smith’s legacy should remain his on-the-field accomplishments even if the highly regarded NFL prospect does enter the draft early. He said the NCAA has confirmed the situation “is an institutional matter that is not an NCAA matter.”

“Anyone that is out there worried about the NCAA doesn’t need to think about that,” Saban said.

NCAA spokeswoman Stacy Obsburn confirmed that the university is handling the matter.

Alabama Attorney General Troy King said he spoke with university officials Wednesday morning. The school is investigating.

“I have been promised and am now awaiting the results of that investigation,” King said in a statement. “As soon as I receive them, we will move swiftly to determine whether any violations have occurred and, if so, to hold those responsible accountable.”

Left guard Mike Johnson will start at tackle and David Ross will fill his spot against Utah. That was the same alignment when Alabama played without an injured Smith and right guard Marlon Davis against Tulane early in the season. The Tide managed a season-low 172 total yards in the game.

“We shuffled a lot of guys around,” Johnson said. “But we’ve come a long way since then as an offensive line and as a team. Hopefully we can adjust a little better.”

He expressed support for Smith.

“He’s a great guy, that’s all,” Johnson said. “I don’t know any details of anything that’s happened. He’s been a great friend to me and a great teammate to all of us. It’s unfortunate that we’re having to play without him but we know he’s watching and we know he’s rooting us on.”