Nick Saban has made an effort to kick the tires on a favored candidate for the Alabama fan base for the defensive coordinator role.

Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports has reported that Saban has reached out to former Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt about the Crimson Tide’s vacant defensive coordinator position. It is believed no offer has been made at this time, and Alabama would not speak on Pruitt’s candidacy when contacted for comment. While Pruitt is believed to be the top candidate for the Alabama fans, who want the defense to return to the levels it enjoyed when Pruitt was on staff in 2017.

Dodd noted that Pruitt’s candidacy is questionable as it is unknown whether he would be allowed to accept the job if offered.

Sources indicate Pruitt would face long odds to getting hired by the Tide as the subject of an ongoing NCAA investigation. He was fired at Tennessee two years ago as the NCAA levied allegations of 18 Level I violations on the Volunteers. Level I violations are most serious on the NCAA’s scale of infractions.

An SEC bylaw suggests that Alabama would need to consult with SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey if a major infraction comes into play.