Alabama is set to begin spring practice Friday.

Here’s some of what I’ve been hearing heading into the start of spring ball:

— Former Akron offensive coordinator A.J. Milwee is expected to join the Crimson Tide staff as an offensive analyst, sources told AL.com. A Boaz, Alabama native, Milwee was a reserve quarterback at Alabama in 2004 and later a three-year starter at North Alabama, where he broke several school records and was a two-time finalist for the Division II equivalent of the Heisman Trophy. The 33-year old Milwee started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at North Alabama in 2009, joined the Akron staff in 2012 and was then the team’s offensive coordinator from 2013 through last season.

— If they didn’t know already, NFL teams are now well aware that Henry Ruggs is really, really fast. Alabama had its junior pro day Wednesday and I’ve heard that NFL scouts timed Ruggs, who had 11 touchdown catches for the Tide last season, in the 4.25 range in the 40-yard dash. To put that into perspective, the NFL scouting combine record for the 40-yard dash is 4.22 and the fastest time posted at this year’s combine was 4.30. There were other players that ran fast, too. Biletnikoff Award winner Jerry Jeudy, safety Jared Mayden and a couple others were timed in the 4.4s in the 40.

— Word is that Alabama reserve outside linebacker Ben Davis is expected to miss at least part of spring ball. The redshirt junior underwent two surgeries this offseason, one in January and one in February.

— Davis is one of four Tide outside linebackers who’s been working back from an injury/surgery. Terrell Lewis is still working back to 100 percent from his ACL injury last summer while Anfernee Jennings and Chris Allen both underwent minor knee procedures in February.

— One other thing to keep an eye on with the outside linebacker group: It sounds like redshirt freshman Cameron Latu may see some time at tight end during the spring.

Matt Zenitz is an Alabama and Auburn reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @mzenitz.