Alabama football has returned.
As we are two days from the Crimson Tide’s season opener versus Miami, Nick Saban was on his “Hey Coach” Show on Thursday with Eli Gold and Cecil Hurt (Tuscaloosa News). Saban, 69, is in his 15th season as head coach of Alabama, and he’s pursuing his eighth national championship.
Before taking the field against the Hurricanes, he updated two players that dealt with injuries in preseason camp. DeMarcco Hellams (ankle) and LaBryan Ray (groin) are veterans on an experienced Tide defensive unit.
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Hellams, a junior, is the starter at free safety.
He emerged late in the 2020 season with strong performances and finished the campaign with 62 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack, and three pass breakups. The 6-foot-1, 208-pounder played well in fall practice and is one of the reasons why fans expected to see a dominant secondary.
He arrived as a four-star in the 2019 class.
Ray, a redshirt senior, is a backup at defensive end. He has endured multiple injuries; however, the former five-star is ready to put the setbacks behind him. When he is healthy, Ray has the potential to be one of the best pass rushers in the sport.
According to Saban, Hellams and Ray have both practiced some this week.
“Are they ready to go out there and play in the game? That’ll be a game-time decision,” he said.
If Hellams does not play, Brian Branch will start at safety. Justin Eboigbe is one of two starters at defensive end.
Hopefully, we will see Hellams and Ray on the field.
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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 “watch” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
