TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Linnie Patrick, the sophomore Alabama running back who was suspended prior to the Cotton Bowl, has moved back into the athletic dorm and apparently will be back with the Crimson Tide next fall.
Patrick and senior linebacker Thomas Boyd were suspended following an incident late last year in which they were stopped by Tuscaloosa police while riding in Boyd's car and Boyd was subsequently charged with possession of marijuana.
Patrick was not charged.
There had been rumors following the suspension that Patrick would transfer to Jacksonville State, Southern Mississippi, Oklahoma or Southern Cal.
Patrick and Coach Bear Bryant were unavailable for comment Monday.
Mal Moore, the Tide's offensive coordinator, said Patrick was back in the athletic dorm, but stopped short of saying he would definitely play again for Alabama.
'I understood it that he was suspended from playing in the Cotton Bowl,' Moore said. 'He passed his grades and is back in the dorm. From there, it's between him and Coach Bryant. I haven't seen Coach Bryant since the bowl game.
'All I know is that he is back in the dorm and he has met with Coach Bryant,' said Moore.
Charley Thornton, Alabama's outgoing assistant athletic director, said Bryant has given him no reason to believe Patrick won't be back next year.
'He hasn't said anything about him not coming back, so really there is no reason to think he wouldn't be back,' Thornton said. 'Linnie made his grades last term and has moved back into the dorm and is attending classes.'
Patrick scored five touchdowns and rushed for 322 yards last season, but the former prep All-American spent most of the year in Bryant's doghouse.
Patrick was in hot water the first day of fall practice after failing to run the mile in the prescribed time. A few weeks later, he was kicked out of the athletic dorm for missing a treatment appointment with the team trainer.
