As Alabama opened up spring practice Saturday, there was a somewhat noticeable -- and likely permanent -- absence among the players who did hit the field.
Chad Lindsay, forced into the starting lineup last season due to injury, was not listed on the Tide’s spring roster released earlier in the day. No explanation was given for the offensive lineman not being included on the roster, other than head coach Nick Saban saying the player decided not to come back to the Tide for his final season.
Al.com, however, reported that Lindsay is expected to transfer to an undetermined location. An unnamed source told the Anniston Star that “Chad is transferring, but we aren’t disclosing any teams at this time.”
As Lindsay graduated in August of last year, he would be eligible to play immediately in 2014 if he transferred to another FBS program.
In place of an injured Ryan Kelly, Lindsay started four games at center in 2013. A three-star member of the Tide’s 2010 recruiting class coming out of high school in The Woodlands, Tex., Lindsay was rated as the No. 30 guard in the country that year.
In addition to Lindsay, tight end Harrison Jones and defensive back Jai Miller were also not part of the spring roster. The former is the brother of ex-Tide All-American Barrett Jones while the latter was a 29-year-old walk-on -- yes, 29-year-old -- who played in five games last season.