TUSCALOOSA, Ala.— Alabama football is just a few days away from an open scrimmage in front of the public for the 2026 A-Day Game, but until then, the media got one last peak at what the Crimson Tide’s been working on this spring.

The media was allowed to watch two of Alabama’s practice periods during Tuesday morning’s practice. Here are some of BamaCentral’s practice notes and observations:

Practice report

• One quarterback will have to be the first one to take the field on Saturday for A-Day, but Alabama was not giving any hints on who that might be during practice. During the periods the media could see, the quarterbacks were always throwing in groups of three. Austin Mack and Keelon Russell were always part of the first group, and the freshmen QBs Tayden Evan-Kaawa and Jett Thomalla rotated in with that group.
• During the drills where all three were throwing at the same time, the quarterbacks first worked on shorter routes like slants on different parts of the field. They then worked on deep routes to all segments of the field.
• Based on the groupings of wide receives, it seems pretty clear that Ryan Coleman-Williams, Lotzeir Brooks and NC State transfer Noah Rogers will be Alabama’s starters at receiver with Rico Scott, Derek Meadows and Cederian Morgan also in the mix.
• Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer said at the beginning of spring practice that senior safety Bray Hubbard would be limited this spring. He was not wearing a black jersey on Tuesday and did not appear to be limited. He did not have any noticeable braces or wraps on his body.
• DeBoer was keeping a watchful eye over the quarterbacks during the media viewing period.
• The cornerbacks started with some press drills off the snap that also involved containing inside leverage. Red Morgan, who has moved all around the secondary the past two years between safety, HUSKY and cornerback, had a really solid rep.
• The CBs then worked on a coverage in traffic drill, where two receivers lined up behind each other and one corner was lined up roughly five yards behind the other. After the ball was snapped, the receivers went in opposite directions and the CBs had to quickly decide and follow. Starter Zabien Brown handled this with ease.
• Perhaps the most exciting drill from the CBs was one where they pressed against each other and went stride for stride before cutting the route and hauling in an interception. Starter Dijon Lee used his renowned 6-foot-4 frame to disrupt the pass, and his catch radius made it look easy.
• Alabama defensive backs coach Maurice Linguist was animated throughout each of the drills. He commended multiple players, but also scolded a couple with hopes that their next rep is much better.
• The Alabama Wolf linebackers worked on a block shedding drill. This involved a swim move on a dummy pad at the line of scrimmage and then pushing another pad downward in the backfield. It wasn’t necessarily a full-speed drill, but rather more about getting the technique down.
• South Carolina transfer Desmond Umeozulu used some force in the Wolf linebacker drills. Alabama Wolf linebackers coach Christian Robinson showed his approval for Umeozulu after a couple of reps.
• The Alabama offensive line spent its early portion of practice working on one-on-one blocking with improving technique and drive as the focus. The starters were difficult to tell due to this, but Jackson Lloyd led the majority of the drills along with center transfer Racin Delgatty.
• The linemen rotated through drills keeping their pads low and staying under the chute. Texas transfer Nick Brooks impressed with his hands as he violently moved his men every time he got a chance to take a rep. Brooks has worked at left guard and right tackle this spring, providing new offensive line coach Adrian Klemm with an interesting chess piece.
• The Alabama wolves came into view in the midst of the offensive line drills with Yhonzae Pierre leading the group. The Crimson Tide outside linebackers had Pierre, Dezmond Umeozulu, Justin HIll and Jamarion Matthews cycling through drills with Christian Robinson barking instructions, urging his group to play with violence. One of the assistants shouted for Matthews to break the blocking dummy saying the program would just buy another to replace it. Kane Wommack stood to observe the drill and smiled commending the violence and force the four were bringing to the morning practice. 

Practice footage

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Alabama is one of the premier places to find a quiet stop, as many small towns offer calm, peaceful communities, such as Mentone and Magnolia Springs. Yet, in these towns, there are still plenty of things to do and a rich history to appreciate. For instance, fans of authors Harper Lee and Truman Capote will delight in the literary offerings found in Monroeville. Whether it’s dining on the delicious seafood of Bayou La Batre or taking in the gorgeous white sand beaches of Orange Beach, you won’t regret slowing down or spending the night in these eight quietest Alabama towns.

Bayou La Batre

Resting along the Mississippi Sound on the northern Gulf Coast is Bayou La Batre. Widely recognized as a fishing village, the town has also earned its name as the Seafood Capital of Alabama due to the large number of annual events celebrating fishing, along with many restaurants serving delicious seafood. The Blessing of the Fleet is their largest event (held on the 2nd and 3rd of May) that draws crowds from all over to enjoy good seafood and good company. Today, these events have expanded to offer Vietnamese Cuisine, a Gumbo Cook-off, an Arts & Crafts Show, a decorated boat show, and so much more. If you miss the event, not to worry. Places like Catalina Bayou are always ready to serve up delicious, local seafood.

With the town being a fishing town, naturally, there are plenty of places to fish. Sitting on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America), visitors have ample opportunity to catch their own fish, with the waters being the perfect backdrop. Alternatively, packing a lighter lunch or a picnic would be perfect to have while spending some time at Rolston Park. The park features a playground for kids, along with a covered gazebo with picnic benches. The winding sidewalks throughout the park offer a beautiful view of the Gulf of Mexico for a post-meal leisurely activity.

Guntersville

Considered in 2022 to be one of the South’s Best Lake Towns, Guntersville is widely known for easy lake living, miles of shoreline, and a place to find plenty of peace and quiet. Lake Guntersville State Park is a testament to that, offering 6,000 acres of natural woodlands and 36 miles of hiking and biking trails. In addition to being surrounded by the state’s largest lake, there are ample water activities, like kayaking through Hambrick Bat Cave. From May to October, thousands of bats emerge from the cave at night, and a good local pastime is to kayak or boat nearby to watch the bats go out into the night to hunt. And after spending a day on the water and exploring the sights, head over to the Old Town Stock House for a delectable treat. With the two primary chefs studying out of state, chefs Crystal McKone and Tom Colicchio returned to Guntersville to helm this upscale Southern American restaurant, serving seasonal dishes with the freshest catches and adding a Southern twist to fine-dining staples.

Greenville

For travelers curious about why Alabama’s state flower is the camellia, the residents of Greenville are responsible for that. Setting that bit of history aside, Greenville, like the camellia, has a lot of beauty for those willing to seek it out. For starters, the golf courses at the RTJ Golf Trail at Cambrian Ridge are a mixture of challenge and stunning scenery. So much so that several award-winning players and widely known golfing events are held there. In the evening, that Greenville beauty is captured in places like the Ritz Theatre, where pageants, concerts, and theater productions are held in those halls as they were during the 1950s and 1960s. And some of that beauty even passes to the local restaurants in Greenville, such as Bates House of Turkey. As one might suspect, the restaurant takes several creative liberties with serving many turkey-themed dishes like turkey sandwiches, turkey soup, and even turkey casserole. All of this is sustained by the Bates Turkey Farm, which, since 1923, still raises free-range turkeys and markets the various products locally and through an online catalogue.

Magnolia Springs

For those who love the Alabama beaches, the name Magnolia Springs might be familiar, as the town has served as a gateway to those coasts. Choosing to stop here over the beaches, however, rewards you with a beauty and peace unlike any other, so long as you plan for it. The heart of Magnolia Springs is its Victorian Bed and Breakfast, which offers nothing less than a taste of Victorian-era elegance for those who choose to stay there. With only five rooms available, it’s best to book in advance. In addition, one of the most iconic places to dine is the renowned Jesse’s Restaurant, where they serve Gulf-fresh seafood and other delectable dishes that you’ll want to reserve in advance. Setting those aside, Magnolia Springs offers plenty of scenic beauty through its handful of quick, easy trails, such as Magnolia Landing. As brief as they may be, the beauty of it all demands you slow down and take in the natural beauty of it all.

Mentone

Nestled within the woodlands of Lookout Mountain, you’ll eventually find yourself in Mentone. Perched on the highest point in the state, Mentone offers gorgeous views and is so remote that only a little over 300 people call it home. Nevertheless, it’s home to a surprising amount of tourist attractions and ways to unwind, such as the Cloudmont Ski and Golf Resort. The resort is uniquely positioned because it’s the only ski resort in the entire state; however, it’s diverse enough to serve as a golf course during warmer weather, too. The aforementioned Lookout Mountain is also great to explore, with scenic mountain-top views alongside a 104-foot waterfall. For full relaxation, regular yoga sessions are offered at DeSoto State Park and St. Joseph’s on-the-Mountain Episcopal Church for a nominal charge.

Monroeville

For those with a deep love of literary history, Monroeville shouldn’t be overlooked, as it was home to two iconic literary legends: Truman Capote and Harper Lee. Both childhood friends, the two ended up writing the iconic novels In Cold Blood (by Truman Capote) and To Kill a Mockingbird (by Harper Lee). That being said, Lee’s book and her memory are more often displayed through a variety of museums and monuments throughout town.

The Old Courthouse Museum offers an opportunity to be sucked into Lee’s world, as its design inspired the courtroom in the novel. In a similar line, the Old Monroe County Bank Building served as the home of A.C. Lee’s law office, where Harper Lee wrote portions of her book.

Even though she drew inspiration from those places, her work continues to inspire others around town, as visitors can see to this day. The history of Lee can be found in parks like Lyle Salter Park, a downtown area serving as a marker about Monroeville as well as murals depicting various scenes from Lee’s book. This is in addition to the To Kill a Mockingbird Play, which runs from late March to early May on weekends.

Orange Beach

While there are plenty of beach shores to explore in Alabama, one of the best and quietest ones to explore is that of Orange Beach. Unlike the name, the beaches have nothing but white sand and turquoise blue waters at their Gulf Shores. Exploring the town is also highly rewarding, as there is a nearby Waterfront Park with paved walking paths, a kids’ park with slides, shade structures, climbing areas, and a fishing pier, as well as a few restrooms and several picnic shelters.

History enthusiasts can also enjoy the area as well, with the Orange Beach Indian and Sea Museum being a place to delve deep into Native American culture. And after you’re done exploring, head over to The Wharf for a wide array of shopping and dining options.

Dauphin Island

One of the five Mississippi-Alabama barrier islands, Dauphin Island is only 15 miles long from east to west but offers an island retreat unlike any other. Out of all the fishing areas, Dauphin Island is by far the most secluded, with the waters free to explore for fishing, kayaking or paddleboarding with Blue Heron Kayaks & Stand Up Paddleboards. Another popular spot to explore on dry land is the Audubon Bird Sanctuary, a 164-acre plot with walking trails through pines, live oaks, magnolias, and swamps and home to egrets and herons for viewing. For a quick bite, a stop at BGH Cafe is an option. The cafe specializes in Paninis, Po-Boys and Wraps with old-school soft-serve ice cream and malts. Conveniently located right at the Ferry Boat Landing, it’s hard to miss this quaint take-out restaurant.

From the secluded areas of Dauphin Island to the mountain village of Mentone, Alabama has diversity in its quiet spots if travelers are willing to take some back roads to get to them. Nevertheless, those adventures are rewarded with a remarkable dining experience at Magnolia Springs or with the beautiful, calm waters of Guntersville. Combined with locals welcoming you with that infamous southern hospitality, you will want to check out all the Yellowhammer State has to offer before too long.