TUSCALOOSA, Ala.– For the Alabama fans that hold the spring game in high regard, weather conditions remained pleasant enough to watch the Crimson Tide’s offense make a big statement.
Under the guidance of play caller Brian Daboll, quarterbacks Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa had the deep ball action in full effect. Despite not establishing much in the rushing attack, five-star freshman Najee Harris led all running backs in yards (70) on 17 carries for team White.
Defensively, the Tide’s edge rushers came to play.
Linebackers Rashaan Evans and Christian Miller both recorded two sacks apiece, while Quinnen Williams, Raekwon Davis, Jamar King, Mekhi Brown and Jamey Mosley each totaled a sack. Following an exciting 27-24 win for team Crimson, yours truly of TDA Magazine unveils five marquee standouts from the final practice.
Jalen Hurts, QB
As good as Tua Tagovailoa looked, (and he looked GOOD) Hurts proved that he can stretch the field and showcase deep ball accuracy. The sophomore completed 16 of 25 passes – 64 percent – for 301 yards and two touchdowns to one interception. While the interception can be credited to the receiver not finishing the route, both of Hurts’ touchdown strikes came on perfect passes.
37-Yard TD @JalenHurts To @CalvinRidley1 #ADay2017 #Espn pic.twitter.com/GOyFjsmE2d
— InsideBamaRecruiting (@RTRnews) April 22, 2017
He found senior Robert Foster down the right sideline for a 65-yard score and hooked up with junior Calvin Ridley for a 37-yard touchdown to tie the game in the fourth quarter. Five of his 16 completions – 31.3 percent – went for 20-plus yards, while seven resulted in first downs (44%).
In the same manner as last year’s A-Day game, Hurts led a game-winning scoring drive. He took the first-team offense down the field, and set up JK Scott to nail a 30-yard kick as time expired.
Keith Holcombe, LB
A lot guys played well on defense, but Keith Holcombe had a game-high 10 tackles.
Standing at 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, the Tuscaloosa native has always possessed size, toughness and instincts at the linebacker position. He juggled both football and baseball a season ago, but it appears as if the redshirt junior will be solely football this time around. To pair with his 10 tackles, Holcombe recorded two stops for loss and two sacks for the Tide’s first-team defense.
Jerry Jeudy, WR
The state of Florida keeps churning out good wide receiver prospects, and the University of Alabama keeps snatching them in. Even with how good Amari Cooper was and Calvin Ridley is, Jerry Jeudy could potentially be the best of the three. Weather conditions were hot, but Jeudy was hotter – hauling in five receptions for a game-high 134 yards and two touchdowns.
Touchdown! Freshman To Freshman @Tuaamann_ @jerryjeudy #ADay2017 #Espn pic.twitter.com/RFiwsKPvyZ
— InsideBamaRecruiting (@RTRnews) April 22, 2017
All five of his catches went for first downs, including four in excess of 20 yards.
The connection between him and Tagovailoa is special, as he brought in two of the freshman’s three touchdown passes. At the end of the game, Jeudy earned the Dixie Howell Most Valuable Player Award.
Terrell Hall, LB/DE
We may have a fun battle for jack linebacker between Christian Miller and Terrell Hall.
#Pick6 Terrell Hall @_Real24_ #ADay2017 #Espn pic.twitter.com/9ieqC1YJL7
— InsideBamaRecruiting (@RTRnews) April 22, 2017
Both guys made plays throughout Saturday’s final spring session, but the sophomore from Washington, D.C., made a lasting impression. At 6-foot-5 and 251 pounds, Hall brought team Crimson back into the game with a 60-yard interception returned for a touchdown off Tagovailoa in the second quarter. While his pick-six cut team White’s lead to 21-14, Hall has the capabilities to be a good pass rusher. He turned in a quarterback hurry to pair with his athletic coverage play.
JK Scott, P
Alabama’s first team unit got a better outing from JK Scott – 46.9 average, three punts downed inside the 20 – but overall, he averaged 44.7 yards per boot on 11 attempts.
His kicking, however, is what got the most attention. Although the Tide returns Andy Pappanastos, Scott outshined him with three made field goals. The Denver, Colo., native even nailed a 30-yard try to win the game for team Crimson in the fourth quarter as time expired.
JK Scott's game-winner on A-Day
Crimson wins, 27-24 pic.twitter.com/LAcpgC60S3
— Stephen M. Smith (@CoachingMSmith) April 23, 2017
It’s a foregone conclusion that Tide fans are excited for freshman kicker Joseph Bulovas, but seeing Scott display his versatility is never a bad thing. Alabama could probably pull a two-kicker system. Remember 2011 with Cade Foster and Jeremy Shelley? A BCS national championship resulted from that experiment, nonetheless, we’ll have to wait and see.
Stephen M. Smith is a managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
