After Monday’s start of in-person voluntary workouts re-established the goal of Alabama football in the minds of the players, the excitement continued on Tuesday.
While all positional units do not work out together (social distancing), this opportunity was apparently one for offensive linemen. When he was ahead of the strength and conditioning program at Notre Dame in 2017, David Ballou pushed its linemen to winning the Joe Moore Award. The Fighting Irish helped Josh Adams post 1,430 yards rushing with nine touchdowns, while Brandon Wimbush 803 yards from his quarterback position and 14 scores. Notre Dame captured a 10-3 record that season – including a Citrus Bowl victory over the LSU Tigers.
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Two of his offensive linemen from 2017 – Quenton Nelson and Mike McGlinchey – were both selected in the top-10 of the 2018 NFL Draft. Ballou is all about peak power for linemen and creating workouts that help players sustain, but also be enforcers throughout a contest.
Javion Cohen, a true freshman, signed in this year’s class for the Crimson Tide as a four-star from Central-Phenix City (Ala.) High School.
Listed at 6-foot-3 and 275 pounds, Cohen is pushing for a chance to create an impact on the offensive line. On the heels of players such as Brian Robinson, Byron Young and Braylen Ingraham, Cohen echoed the passion of Ballou and Rhea and how both coaches are serious about assisting Alabama football to a national title.
coach ballou and doc rhea are not joking around this year ?.
— AANG (@cnoivaj) June 9, 2020
As valued as Scott Cochran was, the team is completely behind the new sports performance duo and the change has been welcomed with open arms. The college football season cannot get here fast enough.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
