TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama football returned to the field for A-Day. While this year’s spring tradition was a practice instead of the usual spring game, here are three things I learned from the Crimson Tide’s practice.
Ty Simpson looks to be the starter
It was the conversation all offseason. Who is going to be the one who takes over for Jalen Milroe?
Ty Simpson in my eyes seemed to have separated himself as the starting job. While Simpson did not take any risks during 11-on-11 or 7-on-7 drills, he did not make any grave mistakes.
Freshman quarterback Keelon Russell looked to be the guy that will backup Simpson when Alabama hits the gridiron this fall. Russell’s day started a little shaky as he threw an interception over the middle to defensive back Ivan Taylor on the first throw of the day in 11-on-11s. Russell showed promise with his accuracy in 1-on-1 drills as he hit wide receiver Derek Meadows for a catch in the end zone.
Austin Mack looked to be the third best of the three quarterbacks in the starting role conversation. Mack threw two interceptions during 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 drills, one of them to defensive back Zabien Brown and the other to Abduall Sanders Jr.
Derek Meadows has potential to add depth to an already deep receiver room
In an already loaded room at wide receiver with the likes of Ryan Williams, transfer Isaiah Horton and Germie Bernard, Derek Meadows showed that he could be another wideout option that the starting quarterback could use this fall.
Meadows made quality catches from Mack and Russell in 1-on-1s and 7-on-7s.
It’s worthy to note that Ryan Williams did not participate in A-Day Saturday, so Meadows may have found a few extra reps as a result, but certainly took advantage of it.
Onehighlight in particular that the receiving room had was a wide receiver to wide receiver connection in 11-on-11s. With Simpson at quarterback, he threw a backwards pass to Bernard, who threw a pass to Isaiah Horton in double coverage.
Horton climbed the ladder to catch the ball and ran with it all the way to the end zone.
Alabama has depth as defensive back
The Crimson Tide showed that its defensive backs could give its opponents problems. First team defensive back Zabien Brown picked off Mack over the middle and Dijon Lee Jr. broke up a Simpson pass intended for Bernard.
On the second team, Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. broke up a Russell pass to wide receiver Lotzeir Brooks and Red Morgan played nice coverage against Jaylen Mbakwe and broke up a Russell pass attempt.
Safety Keon Sabb and cornerback Domani Jackson did not participate in the practice in addition to linebacker Deontae Lawson and defensive lineman James Smith.
