Weeks from now, the end zones will be painted. The field will be pristinely lined. And Alabama's wide receivers, perhaps the greatest collection of talent at the position the sport has seen, will torment defensive coordinators as yet another title hunt takes shape.
But on this humid, sundrenched Saturday in early August, the four wideouts who scored a combined 39 touchdowns last year are standing idle in their crimson jerseys and white pants. A smattering of media members swarm to ask questions, regularly swatting sweat from their brows. The players and coaches gather in the stands for the team photo.