Playmakers wanted: Defending champ Alabama replacing stars

Alabama opened spring practice seeking replacements for three of college football’s top offensive weapons. The good news for the defending national champions, as usual, is there are prized recruits among those waiting in the wings to replace those stars. The competition commenced Friday with the opening of spring practice for the potential successors to Heisman Trophy-winning wide receiver DeVonta Smith, quarterback Mac Jones and tailback Najee Harris. Jones and Harris also finished in the Top 5 in Heisman voting on the most program’s most explosive offense.