TUSCALOOSA | After University of Alabama coach Nick Saban expressed optimism that transfer wide receiver Duron Carter would be able to join the Crimson Tide this week, the former Ohio State Buckeye was on the UA practice field for the first time Monday.

Carter's admission into UA had been held up by an academic issue throughout the preseason. As of Saban's noon news conference Monday, Carter had not yet been admitted. That apparently changed during the afternoon, however, as the preseason candidate for the Biletnikoff Award joined the Crimson Tide for the first time.

Saban said Monday that a plan would be put into place to assilimate Carter into the program as quickly as possible.

"We would put a plan into action and try to work him into shape. He probably wouldn't have a lot of opportunity in this game (against Kent State)," Saban said. "We would try to use this week to help him implement into what he needs to as a football player to try to get ready for some time down the road. Maybe a week or so from now, he could be a guy that could work his way into something if he performs well.

Carter is the son of former NFL All-Pro receiver Cris Carter, who has been spotted at several UA practices in recent weeks. The younger Carter caught 13 passes as a true freshman at Ohio State in 2009, then transferred to Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College last season.

"Duron was a tremendous player for us at Ohio State. He's a big figure. He ran very good routes, had strong hands, and was extremely intelligent for an incoming guy," said Kent State coach Darrell Hazel, who was Carter's position coach at Ohio State. "That's why he was able to make the top three receivers when we were down at Ohio State. Good player."

See Tidesports.com's video of Carter's practice debut later today.