Spring practice opens today for Nick Saban and Alabama football.
Before the players return to the football and Coach Saban speaks to reporters, we look at everything Crimson Tide fans need to know about the spring action. Alabama loss to Georgia in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
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The Bulldogs are at the top of the sport, but Saban has a reputation of returning stronger after a defeat. Alabama has a lot of questions to answer in practice at certain positions, but Saban is prepared to have all things in order.
Listed below is everything Alabama fans need to know about spring football.
1. The 2021 class will have a chance to win both offensive tackle roles
Alabama fans did not like the performance of the offensive line in 2021.
People want to see consistency in the rotation and sustained dominance.
Social media went crazy when JC Latham and Tommy Brockermeyer signed to the Crimson Tide in its top-ranked 2021 recruiting class. Both guys earned ratings of becoming high-end offensive tackles. After graduating Evan Neal to the National Football League, fans look for Latham and Brockermeyer to live up to the hype. Bryce Young got sacked 39 times last season, but the belief is if Latham and Brockermeyer start, that number should drop significantly in the fall.
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Both arrived as five stars, but it is time to see Latham and Brockermeyer perform.
2. A freshman will impress the coaching staff at wide receiver
Alabama has several returning faces at receiver and a transfer in Jermaine Burton, but fans should expect a young name to impress the coaching staff.
Aaron Anderson and Kendrick Law enrolled early for the spring competition.
Anderson was dominant at Edna Karr High School (New Orleans, La.). Law, another Louisiana native, arrived on campus as an “athlete,” but Alabama lists him on the roster at receiver. He possesses speed and big-play capabilities. Julio Jones, Amari Cooper, Calvin Ridley, Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, DeVonta Smith, and Jaylen Waddle impressed as freshmen.
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Ja’Corey Brooks caught two touchdowns in 2021, including a game-tying score versus Auburn in the Iron Bowl.
Fans will see a freshman show out in spring practice at receiver.
3. Jahmyr Gibbs is the name to watch at running back
Najee Harris is the recent all-around running back of the Nick Saban era at Alabama.
He excelled in everything, and Tide fans gravitated to him. Brian Robinson was successful, but he did not pack the dominant punch of Harris. Alabama fans are looking for speed, power, hands (receiver), and big-play moments in a runner.
Jahmyr Gibbs showed these traits at Georgia Tech. He totaled 1,800 all-purpose yards and seven touchdowns in 2021. The 5-foot-11, 200-pounder has impressive skills on film, and sources confirmed to Touchdown Alabama Magazine that he’s the “real deal.”
One source said Gibbs “is coming in to contend for the Heisman Trophy.”
Is the hype legit about him? Fans will see it in spring practice.
4. Jalen Milroe will hold off Ty Simpson for the primary backup QB job
Ty Simpson is an incredibly talented freshman, but quarterbacks from Texas are different.
Jalen Hurts was not a popular pick for the starting job in 2016 as a freshman, but the native Texan won over the coaching staff, teammates, and fans in spring practice. Jalen Milroe, who hails from Katy, Texas, has a year of experience in the system.
He enters spring football with a chip on his shoulders and much to prove.
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Milroe wants to show everyone how he’s developed as an accurate passer. Expect him to come out firing on all cylinders.
5. The next dominant nose tackle should emerge from this group
Christian Barmore was the last formidable nose tackle of the Saban era at Alabama.
The next dominant force may be in this group, but who is it?
The Crimson Tide returns DJ Dale, Tim Smith, Jamil Burroughs, Jah-Marien Latham, Braylen Ingraham, Damon Payne, Tim Kennan III, and Anquin Barnes. Jaheim Oatis is a freshman that enrolled early for practice. Dale has the most experience, but fans need to watch the nose tackle room. An effective defensive tackle will get the Tide back to having the No. 1 defense.
6. Jaylen Moody could become the middle linebacker
Henry To’oto’o played well as he grew in confidence, but do not be surprised if Jaylen Moody becomes the middle linebacker for Alabama. He’s been in Pete Golding’s defensive system since 2018 and is comfortable making calls on the field. The 6-foot-2, 225-pounder is natural in fitting gaps to stop the run, but Moody also has lateral quickness. He recorded an interception in 2021.
Moody made plays in the opportunities he received last year.
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If he is in the middle, it gives To’oto’o a chance to play off the ball in his natural role. To’oto’o is more of a heat-seeking pressure missile at weakside linebacker. Alabama could place him where C.J. Mosley, Reuben Foster, and Rashaan Evans excelled before becoming middle linebackers. To’oto’o fits the weakside linebacker profile in the NFL, so it is best to put him there.
Moody could win out the spot at mike linebacker.
7. Alabama could have its best defensive secondary of the Saban era
Alabama will be without Josh Jobe, Jalyn Armour-Davis, and Daniel Wright, but it could have its best defensive secondary of the Nick Saban era.
Jordan Battle, DeMarcco Hellams, Brian Branch, and Malachi Moore are back as experienced veterans.
Kool-Aid McKinstry and Khyree Jackson earned playing time in 2021. Coach Saban landed Eli Ricks from Louisiana State University via the NCAA transfer portal. The group can be a ball-hawking secondary, but will Moore return to his freshman form?
He is the player fans need to watch. If he is healthy, the Tide will be fun on the field.
8. Can the Tide locate its next dynamic return specialist?
No one speaks on it, but having a dynamic returns specialist is crucial for Alabama.
Nick Saban had Javier Arenas, Cyrus Jones, Eddie Jackson, Jaylen Waddle, DeVonta Smith, and Jameson Williams return punts/kickoffs for touchdowns. Ball security, judgment, and speed are pivotal for an exceptional returner.
Slade Bolden was dependable, but he did not have the game-breaking acceleration. Tide fans will be watching JoJo Earle develop more, but it will also focus on Christian Leary, Thaiu Jones-Bell, Aaron Anderson, and Kendrick Law in this position.
Alabama needs to have that electric return specialist in spring practice.
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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.
