Alabama fans left Bryant-Denny Stadium with things to be excited about and some aspects the Crimson Tide needs to work on to win a College Football Playoff National Championship.
A-Day featured young players stepping up, seeing the philosophy of two new coordinators, and quarterbacks having a mixed bag of performances. Nick Saban told reporters after the final practice of spring football that he likes the spirit of this year’s team.
RELATED: Alabama freshman QB Dylan Lonergan shows ‘poise’ in spring game
Below is a breakdown of five takeaways from the spring game.
1. “Hateful competitors” are back on defense
Kevin Steele’s fingerprints of toughness, physicality, and controlled aggression are on this Alabama defense.
Several veterans, including Malachi Moore, set the tone. Moore led the Crimson defense with nine tackles, including three for loss and three sacks. He had a pass breakup and a quarterback pressure on Jalen Milroe that led to a Kristian Story interception.
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Moore was all over the field and took it personally that this secondary plays with dominance. Earl Little II (redshirt freshman) and Caleb Downs (true freshman) also recorded one interception each. Terrion Arnold, a redshirt sophomore, grabbed a pick – giving the secondary four turnovers. Quandarrius Robinson, Keanu Koht, and Jeremiah Alexander benefitted from Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell not participating in the spring game. The trio of outside linebackers totaled five sacks, including two apiece from Robinson and Koht. Kendrick Blackshire and Jihaad Campbell had a sack as inside linebackers, and the linebacker room played with a swagger. Players were flying to the football, hitting with bad intentions, and having fun. If the pieces are in the right position to have success, especially in the secondary, this should be the defense that fans have wanted in the last two years.
2. Justice Haynes is for real as a freshman
Nick Saban spoke highly of Justice Haynes all spring, and fans understand why.
The five-star freshman running back brings toughness, vision, speed, and versatility to the position.
He totaled three touchdowns and led the Crimson offense in receptions (four) for 40 receiving yards. Alabama has been at its best when a freshman contributes at running back. He looked the part in spring and will be a factor in fall.
3. Tight ends will be pivotal in Alabama’s offense
The Tide won national championships when the tight end position was a priority.
Colin Peek helped it to a national title in 2009, Brad Smelley and Michael Williams were instrumental to Alabama’s 2011 BCS title team, Williams had four touchdown catches for the 2012 national championship team, O.J. Howard broke out in the 2016 CFP National Championship Game (2015 season), Irv Smith caught three touchdown passes on the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship team, and the duo of Jahleel Billingsley and Miller Forristall assisted the Tide to a championship in 2020. Tommy Rees, Alabama’s new offensive coordinator, focused on tight ends for the A-Day game. Miles Kitselman and Amari Niblack were each targeted five times. Both had three catches, and Danny Lewis had four receptions.
CJ Dippre, a transfer from Maryland, caught a pass for the White team. Rees wants to establish balance in Alabama’s offense, but fans need to expect tight ends to have a role in the receiving game.
4. Alabama’s offensive line needs more work
Alabama’s first-team offensive line could use more work at left tackle.
Elijah Pritchett is talented, but the redshirt freshman struggled to handle speed on the edge.
RELATED: Georgia LB commit Demarcus Riddick rides with Nick Saban on A-Day
Quandarrius Robinson and Malachi Moore got by him several times to touch the quarterback for a sack or force a turnover.
Prichett can improve in summer workouts and fall camp; however, the Tide should consider having JC Latham at left tackle and moving Prichett to right tackle. It could also keep Latham at right tackle and try five-star freshman Kadyn Proctor at left tackle.
Whatever the choice is, the Tide needs a line that protects the quarterback.
5. Quarterback room is good, but consistency is crucial
Alabama has a good quarterback room, but positive consistency is needed for whoever separates as the No. 1 player.
Ty Simpson, a redshirt freshman, had the best performance of the quarterbacks – regardless of statistics.
He had several beautiful passes, including a couple that should have been caught for touchdowns, but wide receivers dropped them. Simpson also showed off his athleticism as the Crimson offense’s leading rusher. He had 58 yards rushing on six attempts, including a 45-yard run that had fans in awe. Simpson put some juke moves on a few defensive backs as well.
Jalen Milroe, a redshirt sophomore, had moments of brilliance. He tossed a beautiful ball to Emmanuel Henderson for a 36-yard touchdown. Milroe also found Malik Benson several times in the fourth quarter and ended a drive with a scoring toss to him. The native Texan had a rushing touchdown, but he also had two interceptions. Milroe still has moments where he does not feel confident yet passer. If he can put all his tools together, Milroe could be the guy for the Tide.
Dylan Lonergan and Eli Holstein both had some success as freshmen.
Lonergan, a four-star from Georgia, had the best day at quarterback. As a football and baseball player in high school, Lonergan commanded the offense with poise and made several plays. He completed eight of 14 passes for 79 yards and a touchdown. Saban was impressed by Lonergan’s consistency to move the offense. He and Holstein improved in spring practice, but Lonergan looked the best on A-Day. We will see which quarterback sets himself apart in the summer and fall, but Simpson may be the guy now.
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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.
