Bryce Young was Alabama’s primary leader on offense for two years.
As a quarterback, he guided the Crimson Tide to a Southeastern Conference Championship, a Cotton Bowl victory, and an Allstate Sugar Bowl victory in his career. Young made several incredible plays throughout his tenure, earning the Heisman Memorial Trophy in 2021. He overcame a shoulder injury in 2022, but the former five-star took the Tide to 11 wins despite inconsistent performances by the defense, the offensive line, and wide receivers. Young is headed to the NFL Draft, but Alabama has leadership on this year’s team that can lead it to a national championship. After its second scrimmage of spring practice, Nick Saban addressed reporters on players and positions showing leadership. Some guys on offense are stepping into leadership roles.
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“The offensive line has done the best job on our team of creating the kind of toughness, the kind of intangible character we would like for our team to play with,” Saban said about leadership for Alabama.
“Tyler Booker, JC Latham, our two centers, all those guys have done a good job impacting the team. I think the way the running backs play, and the competitive character they play with impact a lot of people on the team. I think Kendrick Law is one of those guys that is a tough, hard-nosed, play-hard guy all the time, and I think he impacts the receiver group. There are quite a few guys on offense that are contributing to developing the chemistry and character that we like to have on offense.”
The offensive line has returned to physicality in practice.
According to sources, Touchdown Alabama Magazine learned the offensive line and defensive lines for the Tide challenged each other in the scrimmage. Alabama’s offensive front helped Justice Haynes have a great day, but the defensive front assisted with creating five turnovers. Both sides of the ball are getting each other better; however, it is good to see toughness return on offense.
Kendrick Law, a former four-star in the 2022 class, started to emerge toward the end of last season. The Louisiana native made big plays in the scrimmage, including a 55-yard catch from Milroe. His toughness makes him a critical part of the receiver rotation for the fall.
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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.
