Spring Practice Thread/News/Predictions

[Rollingtide]

Per Si.com.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — With a new coach comes big changes, one of which is positive for fans and media alike. For the first time since 2021, Alabama football on-campus practice was opened to the local media on Wednesday afternoon.

It was the first opportunity to see how Kalen DeBoer and his new staff run things along with a first look at the Crimson Tide's jersey changes, new faces and more.

Energy was high and music was blasting under a perfect March afternoon with temperatures in the low 70s and partially sunny skies as Alabama practiced in helmets and shorts for the team's second spring practice.

The viewing period was limited to individual and positional drills only, so with that in mind here are some practice notes and observations from the different position group.

Practice Notes- March 6, 2024

• Quarterbacks- Returning starter Jalen Milroe was first in line for drills, followed by redshirt sophomore Ty Simpson, Washington transfer Austin Mack and redshirt freshman Dylan Longergan.
  • DeBoer was keeping a close watch over the quarterbacks at one point.
  • Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Nick Sheridan was with the group the entire time.
  • At 6-6, Mack is noticeably a head taller than the rest of the quarterbacks.
• Running backs- It appeared that Justice Haynes and Jam Miller will split reps as the No. 1 back. The two went back and forth as the leaders in positional drills. Redshirt freshman Richard Young was next in line followed by true freshman Daniel Hill and walk-ons.
• Offensive line- This is a position group of intrigue as Alabama will be replacing both starting tackles from a season ago, plus the starting center. DeBoer brought over his starting center from Washington last season, Parker Brailsford, in the transfer portal. But it was redshirt junior James Brockermeyer that was taking the reps with the ones. From left to right, the first group offensive line was Elijah Pritchett, Tyler Booker, Brockermeyer, Jaeden Roberts and Wilkin Formby. The second team offensive line from left to right was Naquil Bertrand, Olaus Alinen, Brailsford, Roq Montgomery and Miles McVay.
• Defensive backs- Jahlil Hurley and USC transfer Domani Jackson appeared to be the first-team cornerbacks. Highly-touted freshman Jaylen Mbakwe was running second in the drills. Jackson and Mbakwe are both big, imposing cornerbacks. Early enrollees Zabien Brown, Zavier Mincey were also in the mix.
  • Even though he's listed as the linebackers coach, defensive coordinator Kane Wommack was working very closely with the DBs, both safeties and cornerbacks. Extremely vocal. Not demeaning — was coaching them up in a supportive, loud manner.
• Inside linebackers- Deontae Lawson and Jihaad Campbell are the clear starters and leaders at inside linebacker. Both have changed numbers– Lawson from 32 to 0 and Campbell from 30 to 11. The pairs at ILB behind Lawson and Campbell were Jeremiah Alexander/Justin Jefferson and Cayden Jones/Sterling Dixon.
• Defensive line
  • Pairing order throughout drills
  • Tim Keenan / Jah-Marien Latham
  • Tim Smith / Khurtiss Perry
  • Isaia Faga / Hunter Osborne
  • Jordan Renaud / Damon Payne
  • Edric Hill / LT Overton
  • Jeremiah Beaman / Keon Keely
  • This would be a position switch for Keely from OLB to DL. Defensive line coach Freddie Roach worked with him closely on the tail end of drills.
• Injury news- The only player I saw in a black no-contact jersey (other than the quarterbacks) was tight end CJ Dippre. He was off to the side working on his own throughout the whole viewing period. Defensive lineman Jaheim Oatis was not seen at practice during the media viewing period.
• Music: Alabama was playing loud music throughout the entire media period. Some of the songs included "Energy" by Drake, "Super Gremlin" by Kodak Black and "Broadway Girls" by Lil Durk.

 

[BamaSully]

I can't disagree. I would probably place Milroe behind all of them, including McElroy even with his limited physical tools.

Really makes you wonder what on earth happened over the last 3-4 years that we find ourselves in this QB wasteland relative to what we've had in the past.

Clearly we have done a poor job in recruiting and/or development.

What happened?

I’d say what happened was simply reverting toward the mean. Has there even been an NFL Sunday where the last four QBs from one college were all starters until now?

 

[lowend]

And your post could be in the unrealistic expectations category. Yeah, sure Bama wasn’t winning every game by three touchdowns, but they made the CFP two out of last three years. With all of our complaining about coordinators, game planning, etc , the job was still getting done better than most every team.

I was at Bama during the Shula years, so my expectations are actually quite low. We might have been "getting it done better than most every team," but we weren't getting it done as well as the standard that our fanbase was brainwashed to believe in. My frustration is that Ray Charles could see Bama slipping the past few years and we were being told all the time how good the teams were, how much Saban was enjoying coaching them, etc. What was enjoyable about watching the past two seasons? Who cares if we lost? We lost, and WON, in ways that were antithetical to everything we had been taught the FIFTEEN years prior.

 

[BamaMoon]

Anybody who believes there's something to be discovered in how the QBs line up doing drills at the second spring practice is really grasping at straws.

 

[Ole Man Dan]

I think the real question is who is #3 in the pecking order come fall. I don’t see Ty hanging around if he can’t beat Mack out in the spring and I don’t see Milroe is a solid position if Mack is the #2. I just get the feeling that Mack is here to start sometime sooner than later, and we could really be looking at a Kelly Bryant to Trevor Lawrence situation brewing. From all reports is the kid is incredibly gifted and incredibly smart.

If Mack knows the system and can read Defense He could very well come to the forefront.
Mack, TY, Lonergan, and Milroe are in a battle.
I'm afraid we will lose 1-2 thru the portal, regardless of who wins out.

 

[bamafaninbham]

Notes from practice. https://247sports.com/college/alaba...st-practice-viewing-of-2024-season-228207468/

One of the few posts through 4 pages actually on the topic of spring practice, Thank you.

 

[sanjosecrimson]

Former five-star Alabama signee Keon Keeley makes position switch for Tide (247sports.com)

awhile back if you guys recalled, some fans were concerned if Bama recruited enough DL in the 2024 class, I briefly mentioned that Keeley could be one of the guys that could play with his hands in the dirt. Well, it going to happen. I think he will thrive at the Bandit position, he's too talented not too.

 

[TheRealPokeChop]

Ty Simpson wants to start at Alabama. He will be here next year. If he just wanted to start as soon as possible, he'd be gone already.

 

[HighlandOak]

Why? If you're going to hope, why not hope Milroe does well in 2024. And all the other players as well.

I've seen enough of his deficiencies. I want to see a someone else as QB1.

 

[bamaslammer]

On the subject of QB's. It's a fact that NFL capable QB's are rare. So you can recruit and coach them well and not get that caliber of player. issue #2 is the offensive line but Lets table that for a moment, issue #3 to me is more critical and that is offensive design. We have not had an innovative design since Sark left. In todays game with the athleticism of the pass rush no OL can stop the onslaught. It only works if your offense is designed to flow quickly, snap, quick read, fire ball or hand off. No hesitation, Every option has to have a backup option for whatever the defense throws at you. If they want to blitz, go for it, we got something for that. you want to sit back and contain. PLEASE. got an option for that. the offense needs to keep the defense running in circles. I'm not saying I know how to do it, but I've sure as heck seen it done to us repeatedly so in my opinion great QB's are good, but great offenses are better. Milro's strength are leadership, toughness and one of the best deep balls you'll ever see. His weakness are poor footwork, horrid pocket presence, slow read and reaction time. Last year was his first year as a starter, his weaknesses would be found in more QB's than not. The questions aren't about last year it's about can he take the next step or has he already peaked.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Ty Simpson wants to start at Alabama. He will be here next year. If he just wanted to start as soon as possible, he'd be gone already.

If I'm purely guessing, I think the QB1 battle will come down to either Simpson or Milroe. Just my uninformed opinion at this stage.

 

[BamaMoon]

If I'm purely guessing, I think the QB1 battle will come down to either Simpson or Milroe. Just my uninformed opinion at this stage.

IDK, I don't think the Mack kid transferred to be #3 or #4.

He's the age of a 1st year player/true freshman but he has a whole year of experience in the Deboer system.

6'6" frame. I just think he's in on it...and he's just one more guy that will make whoever #1 is that much better.

My biggest hope: JM, for whatever reason, was allowed to play with glaring weaknesses without getting bumped by TS the whole year (even though TS looked much improved in the mop up duties when he got in some games). But this year I don't think he'll be allowed to start without having made some strides of improvement.

 

[BamaMoon]

On the subject of QB's. It's a fact that NFL capable QB's are rare. So you can recruit and coach them well and not get that caliber of player. issue #2 is the offensive line but Lets table that for a moment, issue #3 to me is more critical and that is offensive design. We have not had an innovative design since Sark left. In todays game with the athleticism of the pass rush no OL can stop the onslaught. It only works if your offense is designed to flow quickly, snap, quick read, fire ball or hand off. No hesitation, Every option has to have a backup option for whatever the defense throws at you. If they want to blitz, go for it, we got something for that. you want to sit back and contain. PLEASE. got an option for that. the offense needs to keep the defense running in circles. I'm not saying I know how to do it, but I've sure as heck seen it done to us repeatedly so in my opinion great QB's are good, but great offenses are better. Milro's strength are leadership, toughness and one of the best deep balls you'll ever see. His weakness are poor footwork, horrid pocket presence, slow read and reaction time. Last year was his first year as a starter, his weaknesses would be found in more QB's than not. The questions aren't about last year it's about can he take the next step or has he already peaked.

IMO, I actually don't think his long ball is all that good. He can throw the ball a long ways, but his accuracy was just as bad on a lot of those throws. He developed that reputation early on when he caught a few teams by surprise when he beat some teams over the top early last year. But as the year went on and it became evident that's really what JM wanted to do then teams took that option away and said, you'll have to beat us with short to mid-range completions to beat us.

So once teams adjusted, we didn't see a lot of explosive, long passes over the top later in the year.

 

[davefrat]

Per Si.com.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — With a new coach comes big changes, one of which is positive for fans and media alike. For the first time since 2021, Alabama football on-campus practice was opened to the local media on Wednesday afternoon.

It was the first opportunity to see how Kalen DeBoer and his new staff run things along with a first look at the Crimson Tide's jersey changes, new faces and more.

Energy was high and music was blasting under a perfect March afternoon with temperatures in the low 70s and partially sunny skies as Alabama practiced in helmets and shorts for the team's second spring practice.

The viewing period was limited to individual and positional drills only, so with that in mind here are some practice notes and observations from the different position group.

Practice Notes- March 6, 2024

• Quarterbacks- Returning starter Jalen Milroe was first in line for drills, followed by redshirt sophomore Ty Simpson, Washington transfer Austin Mack and redshirt freshman Dylan Longergan.
  • DeBoer was keeping a close watch over the quarterbacks at one point.
  • Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Nick Sheridan was with the group the entire time.
  • At 6-6, Mack is noticeably a head taller than the rest of the quarterbacks.
• Running backs- It appeared that Justice Haynes and Jam Miller will split reps as the No. 1 back. The two went back and forth as the leaders in positional drills. Redshirt freshman Richard Young was next in line followed by true freshman Daniel Hill and walk-ons.
• Offensive line- This is a position group of intrigue as Alabama will be replacing both starting tackles from a season ago, plus the starting center. DeBoer brought over his starting center from Washington last season, Parker Brailsford, in the transfer portal. But it was redshirt junior James Brockermeyer that was taking the reps with the ones. From left to right, the first group offensive line was Elijah Pritchett, Tyler Booker, Brockermeyer, Jaeden Roberts and Wilkin Formby. The second team offensive line from left to right was Naquil Bertrand, Olaus Alinen, Brailsford, Roq Montgomery and Miles McVay.
• Defensive backs- Jahlil Hurley and USC transfer Domani Jackson appeared to be the first-team cornerbacks. Highly-touted freshman Jaylen Mbakwe was running second in the drills. Jackson and Mbakwe are both big, imposing cornerbacks. Early enrollees Zabien Brown, Zavier Mincey were also in the mix.
  • Even though he's listed as the linebackers coach, defensive coordinator Kane Wommack was working very closely with the DBs, both safeties and cornerbacks. Extremely vocal. Not demeaning — was coaching them up in a supportive, loud manner.
• Inside linebackers- Deontae Lawson and Jihaad Campbell are the clear starters and leaders at inside linebacker. Both have changed numbers– Lawson from 32 to 0 and Campbell from 30 to 11. The pairs at ILB behind Lawson and Campbell were Jeremiah Alexander/Justin Jefferson and Cayden Jones/Sterling Dixon.
• Defensive line
  • Pairing order throughout drills
  • Tim Keenan / Jah-Marien Latham
  • Tim Smith / Khurtiss Perry
  • Isaia Faga / Hunter Osborne
  • Jordan Renaud / Damon Payne
  • Edric Hill / LT Overton
  • Jeremiah Beaman / Keon Keely
  • This would be a position switch for Keely from OLB to DL. Defensive line coach Freddie Roach worked with him closely on the tail end of drills.
• Injury news- The only player I saw in a black no-contact jersey (other than the quarterbacks) was tight end CJ Dippre. He was off to the side working on his own throughout the whole viewing period. Defensive lineman Jaheim Oatis was not seen at practice during the media viewing period.
• Music: Alabama was playing loud music throughout the entire media period. Some of the songs included "Energy" by Drake, "Super Gremlin" by Kodak Black and "Broadway Girls" by Lil Durk.

I don't know any of those songs and only know one of the artists.

Good thing I'm not in charge of music.

 

[NoNC4Tubs]

On the subject of QB's. It's a fact that NFL capable QB's are rare. So you can recruit and coach them well and not get that caliber of player. issue #2 is the offensive line but Lets table that for a moment, issue #3 to me is more critical and that is offensive design. We have not had an innovative design since Sark left. In todays game with the athleticism of the pass rush no OL can stop the onslaught. It only works if your offense is designed to flow quickly, snap, quick read, fire ball or hand off. No hesitation, Every option has to have a backup option for whatever the defense throws at you. If they want to blitz, go for it, we got something for that. you want to sit back and contain. PLEASE. got an option for that. the offense needs to keep the defense running in circles. I'm not saying I know how to do it, but I've sure as heck seen it done to us repeatedly so in my opinion great QB's are good, but great offenses are better. Milro's strength are leadership, toughness and one of the best deep balls you'll ever see. His weakness are poor footwork, horrid pocket presence, slow read and reaction time. Last year was his first year as a starter, his weaknesses would be found in more QB's than not. The questions aren't about last year it's about can he take the next step or has he already peaked.

Does CKD's offense address that concern?

 

[tusks_n_raider]

If I'm purely guessing, I think the QB1 battle will come down to either Simpson or Milroe. Just my uninformed opinion at this stage.

My uninformed guess is Mack vs Ty for QB1.

Mack didn’t transfer to be #3 and CKD didn’t run off Sayin to bring in a #3 either.

Lonergan is a Darkhorse option but that kid can sling it too… the question is can he play vs the 1’s like he plays vs 2’s and 3’s.

Jalen is going to have to make massive improvements in reading defenses and making fast decisions to be QB 1 in this new Offense.

Now if anyone can ‘unlock’ Jalen’s potential it’s CKD. Reese sure couldn’t.

But again it’s going to have to be big turnaround.

If we still had CNS then Jalen would be a lock to start the 1st game.

With CKD I’ll be shocked if Mack and Ty don’t get every opportunity to take that spot.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Does CKD's offense address that concern?

It more than does. A former Alabama cornerback who transferred to Oregon played UW twice last season and was quoted saying "It was the most difficult offense to defend I'd ever seen" and "They were doing things we'd never seen before". So that should ease your mind.

 

[irvingtontide]

My uninformed guess is Mack vs Ty for QB1.

Mack didn’t transfer to be #3 and CKD didn’t run off Sayin to bring in a #3 either.

Lonergan is a Darkhorse option but that kid can sling it too… the question is can he play vs the 1’s like he plays vs 2’s and 3’s.

Jalen is going to have to make massive improvements in reading defenses and making fast decisions to be QB 1 in this new Offense.

Now if anyone can ‘unlock’ Jalen’s potential it’s CKD. Reese sure couldn’t.

But again it’s going to have to be big turnaround.

If we still had CNS then Jalen would be a lock to start the 1st game.

With CKD I’ll be shocked if Mack and Ty don’t get every opportunity to take that spot.

The thing that gives me pause on Mack coming in to start right away is why did they take will rodgers (Mississippi State QB) in the portal while still at UW if Mack was 100% ready to start.
Mack very well could’ve followed the staff and Deboer knowing he would have to sit a year or two but would get the best development and have a shot at being a starting QB at alabama in the future.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

The thing that gives me pause on Mack coming in to start right away is why did they take will rodgers (Mississippi State QB) in the portal while still at UW if Mack was 100% ready to start.
Mack very well could’ve followed the staff and Deboer knowing he would have to sit a year or two but would get the best development and have a shot at being a starting QB at alabama in the future.

The more I think about it and again, with zero information, I think Mack could very well be viewed as a quarterback who isn't ready to start, but he has the tools to be real, real good when he is ready. That alone is worth bringing the kid with you, especially seeing how chaotic and fluid rosters are now days.

 

[bamaslammer]

Does CKD's offense address that concern?

I don't know. I didn't see Washington play last year. I do know that he's an offensive coach so going forward we should see a consistent theme going forward with the possible variation being on the defensive side of the ball which is of course opposite of what we have seen.

Others who have suggested that mack was brought here to start. I don't think that is the case. I think they absolutely loved him as a prospect and wanted to see that through and the feeling was mutual so they pulled the trigger. I don't think they were overly concerned about Sayin leaving. Anyone whos' going to bolt at the first sign of competition is the wrong QB anyway. but macks still a redshirt freshman, he may still be growing for that matter. We will know much more at A-Day.