Defense made it difficult for Alabama coach Nick Saban to see points scored, but there were some highlight moments on offense during last week’s spring game.
A crowd of 76,212 fans came to support Saban and next year’s team on its 10th annual A-Day game in school history.
Alabama split the skill players on offense, having experience on team Crimson and youth on team White. Its second team offense had success moving the ball, as freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts accounted for the lone touchdown of the contest.
He found wide out Derek Kief on a five-yard in the corner of the end zone, delivering White to a 7-3 win and a steak dinner.
Yours truly of Touchdown Alabama Magazine now reveals the grade projections of each position on A-Day.
Running Backs—Overall [B]
Damien Harris [A]– All Harris heard during the offseason was how good Bo Scarbrough is.
The 5-foot-11, 214-pound back came in hungry and produced a solid outing at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Harris led all backs in rushing with 114 yards on 20 carries. He and Derrick Gore were the lone two players to not lose yardage, while Harris sustained an average of 5.7 yards per tot.
He was anxious at times last season, but Harris displayed patience and toughness in between the tackles. He was awarded the Dixie Howell Memorial Award for being the most valuable player.
“Damien Harris had a really nice day,” Saban said. “He looked quick and explosive and he did a really nice job.”
It was tough sledding for Scarbrough against the Tide’s first-team defense. He mustered just 20 yards rushing on nine carries, netting a 2.2 average. Prior to A-Day, Scarbrough was dominant in Alabama’s two scrimmage games. He amassed 243 yards and four touchdowns on 21 attempts.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends—Overall [B+]
Miller Forristall [A]– He’s listed a three-star, yet Forristall played liked a big time recruit.The January enrollee was the high man in receiving, talling eight catches for 53 yards.
He caught two passes on a drive in the second quarter that set up a 42-yard field goal attempt for Adam Griffith, despite him missing the try. Forristall caught every pass that was thrown to him.
Derek Kief [A]- Kief is young receiver, but the Ohio native (Cincinnati) is on the rise. He recorded the lone touchdown of the game, a five-yard reception from Jalen Hurts with 2:48 left in regulation. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound target had five catches for 58 yards, with a long of 15 yards.
Cam Sims [B]- Sims looked healthy returning from a knee injury, posting three receptions on seven targets.
His impact came on deep routes, elevating over defensive backs to snatch passes. He caught two 17-yard throws from Hurts and Blake Barnett, while reeling in a 32-yard reception from Hurts in the fourth quarter. Sims’ efforts kicked off the drive that led to Hurts’ touchdown pass to Kief. A healthy Sims to pair with Robert Foster bodes trouble for defenses.
Nice Catch! Cam Sims @SilkySims7 https://t.co/ShjhaedVYO
— BamaVideo (@BamaVideo_) April 16, 2016
Defense—Overall [A]
Tim Williams [A]- Williams ruined A-Day for the first team offense, if one allows Saban to explain the situation.
The rising senior could not be blocked, recording two tackles for loss, two sacks and three quarterback hurries. He made it hard for Cooper Bateman and David Cornwell to set their feet and scan the field.
https://twitter.com/BamaVine/status/721438054993510400
Shaun Dion Hamilton [A]– Hamilton tied linebacker Ryan Anderson for most tackles on team White (five).
His tackle for loss came on team Crimson’s second possession, when Hamilton struck Scarbrough in the backfield for a two yard loss. He was a part of the force that held the 6-foot-2, 230-pound back to just 20 yards rushing on nine carries.
Rashaan Evans [A]– He’s had some struggles in learning how to play inside and outside linebacker; however, Evans felt comfortable going from sideline to sideline.
His lateral quickness helped lead both teams in solo tackles (10) and total tackles (17). Evans was also credited with a sack and a tackle for loss.
Christian Miller & Anfernee Jennings [A]– Both Miller and Jennings stood out on A-Day, combining for 10 tackles (Miller- 4 tackles, 3 sacks; Jennings 6 tackles, 3 sacks) and six sacks.
Miller and Jennings were relentless in their pursuit of the quarterback and creating negative plays.
Ronnie Harrison [A]– Cornerback Marlon Humphrey led the first-team secondary with four tackles, but Harrison made one of the biggest plays of the game. He intercepted a pass off Bateman in the end zone. The redshirt junior was looking for Calvin Ridley in the fourth quarter, when Harrison broke on the ball and made the play. He now has two picks in two spring games.
https://twitter.com/BamaVine/status/721453210016333824
Defensive numbers overall (both teams): 101 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, eight quarterback hurries, seven pass breakups and an interception
Quarterbacks—Overall [C]
Jalen Hurts [A]- He looked the most composed and poised of the four quarterbacks, despite facing a crowd of 76,212 in the stands. The native of Channelview, Texas excelled at moving the ball, getting team White in position to score points.
Hurts displayed mobility on the edge, which played a pivotal role in his five-yard touchdown pass to Derek Kief.
He was able to scramble to the right and fire a dart between two defenders in the corner of the end zone. Hurts, a four-star prospect, finished the game with 11 of 15 completions (73.3 percent) for 120 yards and a score.
Both Hurts and Blake Barnett (9/16 passing, 112 yards) were able to move the team better than Bateman and Cornwell.
The pair of freshmen completed 64.5 percent of their throws versus Bateman and Cornwell, who only connected on 37.8 percent of their passes.
“The young quarterbacks did a nice job of making some plays,” Saban said. “I thought their consistency that they played with was a lot better than the actual first-team. It just creates more competition and more things for us to evaluate.”
As for special teams, punter JK Scott looked in mid-season form. He punted 16 times between the two squads, averaging 45.5 per boot. His long on both sides exceeded 50 yards, while four of his 16 punts landed inside the 20-yard line.
Kicker Adam Griffith missed four field goal tries for White, before making a 21-yard attempt for Crimson in the fourth quarter. Xavian Marks, Calvin Ridley and Daylon Charlot all did some good things in the return game.
Spring practice is now over for Alabama. Saban and company will enter summer workouts, in attempts to evaluate which players can excel at what position. The quarterback race and spots on the offensive line are still up for grabs. Whoever can win the team and move the ball is in good shape.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
