Alabama senior offensive lineman Alphonse Taylor has been found not guilty of driving under the influence, according to a report from the Tuscaloosa News. Taylor, who started every game at guard last season for the national champion Crimson Tide, was initially charged with a DUI and leaving the scene of an accident in mid-July. Coach Nick Saban suspended Taylor indefinitely. He has been allowed to practice and was demoted to the second-team offensive line, meaning he is not expected to start in the season-opener against USC in Dallas on Saturday. Taylor's attorney, Jason Neff, told the Tuscaloosa News that the judge is expected to issue a ruling on the charge of leaving the scene of an accident. According to police records, Taylor called police the morning of July 17 to report that he had stuck a vehicle with his SUV near campus. In the arrest report, the officer wrote that Taylor's speech was "very slow" and he "appeared lethargic." According to the Tuscaloosa News, court records showed that Taylor tested negative for alcohol but performed poorly on the field sobriety test. At the start of fall camp earlier this month, Saban told reporters that Taylor had gone through a "pretty significant program" and cleared him to practice. Alabama's depth chart currently lists Taylor behind starting right guard Ross Pierschbacher, who started all 15 games at left guard last season.
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