Alabama scrimmaged for just over two hours Saturday under clear skies in Bryant-Denny Stadium. The scrimmage was “closed,” however, news and stats always seem to leak. Here are the scrimmage notes that have been revealed from the scrimmage:
QB: Tua is the starter hands down, no questions asked. With that being said, Mac Jones and Taulia Tagovailoa will be very good. Not saying “Lia” would take the team to the national championship if Tua and Mac go down, but he looked very solid (in limited reps and none against the first team). Mac Jones could win a national championship THIS YEAR. With the talent Alabama has at running back and receiver, he has plenty of weapons to get it done and has improved his accuracy greatly.
RB: Jerome Ford took the first snap with the first team and seemed to tote the load until getting injured about a third of the way through the scrimmage. Ford is reported to have an ankle sprain which will sideline him for 1-2 weeks. Brian Robinson, Keilan Robinson, and Najee Harris all got reps at running back. Of those 3, Brian Robinson is said to be the one that performed the best.
WR: Whats there to say? They’re all good. Jeudy, Ruggs, Waddle, Smith, Metchie, Shavers, Williams, they can all play, and can all be effective.
TE: Miller Forristall was held out of the scrimmage which led to Major Tennison and senior and former walk on Giles Amos getting the first team reps. Cameron Latu (former OLB) got reps with the second team and caught multiple passes in the intermediate passing game.
OL: Alex Leatherwood, Emil Ekiyor, Landon Dickerson (FSU transfer), Chris Owens, Evan Neal, and Jedrick Wills all got first team reps. The tackles are set with Leatherwood at LT and Wills at RT. The interior may see multiple guys rotating in and out maybe even through the first couple of games of the season. If I had to guess a starting OL today, my guess would be (from left to right) Leatherwood, Neal, Owens, Dickerson, Wills. Matt Womack did not receive any first team reps.
DL: Much like the OL, look for multiple guys to rotate in and out, especially on third down. Reports are saying that freshman Kevin Harris and King Mwikuta are pass rush specialists that may see the field on obvious passing downs. Alabama has much needed depth at the DL spot thanks in part to true freshmen Justin Ebiogbe, DJ Dale (did not scrimmage), Harris, and Mwikuta. Look for Dale, Ebiogbe, Raekwon Davis, Phidarian Mathis, LaBryan Ray, Mwikuta, and Harris to all get playing time early and often.
LB: True freshman Christain Harris got the start and played all first team reps with the 1’s at the will linebacker spot opposite of Dylan Moses. It looks like Saban has his LB core set with Moses, Harris, Anfernee Jennings, and Christopher Allen/Terrell Lewis (did not scrimmage). If Harris does indeed start, both of Alabama’s middle linebackers will be from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
DB: Alabama has the best secondary in the country. All SEC freshman Patrick Surtain has moved to the Star position due to Josh Jobe. Jobe had an excellent spring and will start at the corner position with Trevon Diggs holding down the other. Xavier McKinney and Jared Mayden will be the safeties and Shyeim Carter may play in the Dime package on long passing downs. All of the secondary guys are long, fast, and have incredible ball skills.
Special Teams: true freshman Will Reichard was 4-5 on field goals while Joseph Bulovas was 4-4. Reichard/Bulovas will battle it out early in the season for kicking opportunities while Reichard/Skylar DeLong will battle for punting duties as well.
Alabama will not scrimmage again before the season. With the constant grind of fall camp, look for Saban to loosen up this week and give the players a chance to rest before they start prepping for the season opener vs. Duke on Aug. 31 in Atlanta.
