Anna SnyderTuscaloosa News
Wednesday officially marked the completion of Alabama football's first full week of fall camp.
In total, the Crimson Tide and head coach Kalen DeBoer are holding 20 preseason practices leading up to its first game on Aug. 31 where it hosts Western Kentucky at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Through Alabama's first full week of camp, the media has been able to view portions of six of the Crimson Tide's practices. Here are things we have learned one week into Alabama fall camp.
Quarterbacks
The quarterback rotation has consistently been Jalen Milroe, Ty Simpson, Austin Mack and Dylan Lonergan. This is expected, with Milroe earning the starting role last season and leading Alabama to the College Football Playoff.
"He’s really done a nice job, raising his game, asking more out of himself," DeBoer said of Milroe. "I’m pushing him, I know coach (Nick) Sheridan (offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach) is too every day; just like those details, man be on it. He’s holding himself to a high standard, it’s not just all talk."
Offensive line
Offensive line, specifically with the tackles, is shaping up to be full of competition.
At the start of camp, Kadyn Proctor was taking reps with the second team due to Proctor having missed the spring because of his transfer to Iowa before returning to Alabama. Proctor has since gotten himself back to getting reps with the first team at the left tackle spot. Wilkin Formby and Elijah Pritchett have also been rotating at the tackle spot, with Formby having gotten first-team reps over the past few days of practice and Pritchett with the second team.
The interior of Crimson Tide's offensive line is shaping up to be Tyler Booker (left guard), Parker Brailsford (center) and Jaeden Roberts (right guard).
Pass catchers
Tight ends have spent the first week of fall camp working on individual position drills while also working with the quarterbacks. CJ Dippre, Robbie Ouzts and Josh Cuevas are emerging as the top three candidates in this position. When speaking to the media, DeBoer has made it clear how he plans to use tight ends in his offense, calling them a "critical" part of his offense.
Through the first week of practice, it looks to be Kendrick Law, Kobe Prentice and Washington transfer Germie Bernard lining up with the first team at wide receiver. Ryan Williams, who is supposed to be a senior in high school but reclassified to enter early, has been receiving praise from coaches along with fellow freshman Caleb Odom.
Running backs
Justice Haynes and Jam Miller are appearing to form a 1A-2A back situation with Richard Young right behind them. Last week, DeBoer was asked about Young, calling him "consistent." Offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan also spoke on Alabama's running back room last week.
"I think in today's football, you can't – you have to have multiple backs to be able to play," Sheridan said. "There's a lot of things that we ask those guys to do. Certainly running physically between the tackles but also perimeter runs and the explosiveness in that regard. But blitz pickup, pass protection, route running."
At Wednesday's practice, the quarterbacks were seen working on handoff drills with the running backs. The order they took the snaps was: Milroe-Haynes, Simpson-Miller and Mack-Young.
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Defensive line
Last week, DeBoer called Alabama's defensive line its most consistent.
Jah-Marien Latham, who will be manning the bandit role, has been consistently getting first-team reps along with Tim Keenan III and Tim Smith. LT Overton missed the first few days of practice due to not feeling well but returned on Saturday and has been rotating along with Jeheim Oatis, who has seen himself garner some first-team snaps as well.
At the wolf position, Que Robinson has taken on a leadership role, Keanu KohtandQua Russaw each having strong starts to fall drills and all competing for the wolf position.
Coaches have also mentioned freshman Keon Keely having switched from outside linebacker to defensive line. Keely has been seen getting a lot of one-on-one instruction from coaches.
Linebackers
Deontae Lawson and Jihaad Campbell seem to be the top contenders at linebacker. Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack mentioned Justin Jefferson on Tuesday, telling reporters Alabama has "three starter type linebackers." Wommack has also brought up Jeremiah Alexander and Justin Okoronkwo standing out to him early through camp.
“Jeremiah Alexander is starting to take steps forward in the right direction,” Wommack said. “He’s played (outside linebacker) the last couple years and made that transition to inside linebacker – those are two different worlds, right? ... And I’ve been very impressed with Okoronkwo, been really impressed with some of the things he’s been doing.”
Secondary
Three freshmen are competing for roles in the cornerback spot this fall: Zabien Brown, Jaylen Mbakwe and Zavier Mincey. Alabama also has transfers Domani Jackson and DaShawn Jones and returnee Jahlil Hurley. Through fall camp, all players have received praise from coaches, but it seems Brown and Jackson are standing out.
“To me, right off the bat, Domani Jackson, Zabien Brown have been really impressive," Wommack said. "Again, if you look at Jaylen Mbakwe, he’s probably made the greatest strides over the last six months. Then I would say all three of those freshmen –Zabien Brown, Jaylen Mbakwe and then Zavier Mincey –I think are taking steps in the right direction. And of course, Day Day (DaShawn Jones), great to have him in there for us.”
At safety, its lining up to be Malachi Moore, Keon Sabb and DeVonta Smith. Wommack has also mentioned freshman Red Morgan having really impressed him since his arrival on campus, and Penn State transfer King Mack is another to keep an eye out for.
