Preston Dial Class: Junior Hometown: Mobile, Ala. High School: UMS-Wright Height / Weight: 6-3 / 245 Position: Tight End Experience: 2L

Career Stats

OUTLOOK: A talented tight end with good hands, Preston Dial could play a prominent role for the Crimson Tide offense in 2009 ... the junior has played in 24 career games with two starts - at Vanderbilt (2007) and at LSU (2008) ... should also be a key contributor for Alabama on special teams again in 2009 ... proved to be a playmaker during 2009 spring practice with five catches for 58 yards in the A-Day Game and nine receptions in three spring scrimmages.

2008 (SOPHOMORE): Dial was a regular on Alabama's field goal and extra point teams and a reserve tight end ... played in 12 games, making one start at tight end at then-No. 15 LSU ... caught one pass for eight yards vs. Western Kentucky ... missed the Georgia and Kentucky games after arthroscopic knee surgery, but quickly returned to the field for the Tide ... saw action against Clemson, Tulane, Western Kentucky, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, LSU, Mississippi State, Auburn, Florida and Utah in the Allstate Sugar Bowl ... a part of the Crimson Tide's short-yardage package.

2007 (FRESHMAN): Played in 10 games, including one start ... first career start came in the win at Vanderbilt when the Tide opened up in a three tight-end set ... has also seen action against Western Carolina, Arkansas, Florida State, Houston, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Mississippi State, Louisiana Monroe and Auburn ... recorded his first career catch against Louisiana Monroe, a 21-yard reception.

2006 (REDSHIRT): Redshirted initial season.

HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Four-year letterman at UMS-Wright under head coach Terry Curtis ... caught 42 passes for 810 yards and eight touchdowns in his final two years as a prep ... helped his team Class 4A titles in 2002 and 2005 ... earned Class 4A Lineman of the Year honors as a senior ... caught 22 passes for 455 yards and four touchdowns as a senior ... had one catch in the state championship game ... rated as the No. 1 tight end prospect in Alabama and was a four-star recruit according to Rivals.com ... played in the Alabama North-South All-Star game in Mobile as a senior ... hauled in 25 catches for 375 yards and four touchdowns as a junior en route to honorable mention All-State honors ... also member of the track team at UMS-Wright that won Alabama Class 4A state titles in 2004 and 2005 ... full name is William Preston Dial ... born June 5, 1987.