What we learned from Alabama football's first full week of practice

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — It’s far from perfect, but Alabama football coach Kalen DeBoer has been pleased with the team’s energy through the first week of preseason practice.

“We can get a lot better when they put forth the focus and the energy and all that like they did (Sunday),” DeBoer said. “I’m very pleased with where we’re at after four practices.”

Sunday brought sad news, as it was revealed that former walk-on Terrance Howard, who transferred to North Carolina Central after spring practice, passed away in a car accident. DeBoer opened Sunday’s presser with condolences to his family.

Alabama’s first four practices were a ramp-up period focusing on procedural precision on both sides and a split of two non-padded and padded practices. The coaching staff is taking advantage of the NCAA rule change allowing unlimited coaching. Chuck Morrell, who was Washington’s defensive coordinator last season, is now a special assistant to DeBoer and has worked extensively with the inside linebackers through the first week. Jamey Mosley, a program alum and analyst holdover from Nick Saban’s staff, has worked closely with the defensive line and outside linebackers.

“He’s a great resource for everybody in the program, not just the players, but for me,” outside linebackers coach Christian Robinson said of Mosley. “He’s got all the skill and talent. He’s going to be doing it here in front of everybody in a short time, I know that.” (The rule change) opens a lot of doors for more coaching to go on in practice, some more details, more hands on deck. I definitely feel the juice at practice, and that is exciting.”

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This upcoming week will provide more clear distinctions about who is making a move within the position groups. But there was plenty to take note of in the first week. This week’s Alabama confidential provides notes on each position group, including updates on position battles, which players are starting to emerge and more.

Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) works on a ball drill with running back Justice Haynes. (Gary Crosby / USA Today)

Offense

Quarterback: Offensive coordinator coach Nick Sheridan set a clear goal for the quarterbacks in an exclusive interview at the beginning of practice.

“They’re all at different stages in their career, but they’re all at similar stages in understanding what we’re doing offensively,” Sheridan said. “I think the word we’re looking for is command. We’re looking for the players to have complete command of the offense, that they know exactly what we want to do and execute them at a high level.”

The third and fourth practices were particularly impactful for starter Jalen Milroe, who looked as sharp as he has since spring practice. He was able to connect on several deep passes, and DeBoer said Milroe’s execution and his confidence are improving.

“I thought (Saturday) and (Sunday) he took the best steps I’ve seen since I’ve been here,” DeBoer said. “He came out (Sunday) and threw the deep ball probably as well as I’ve seen him throw. That’s a lot of just guys and the timing and his rhythm coming into play, feeling more comfortable there. Some big plays were made out there, the defense made a couple big ones too, but he’s really done a nice job (of) raising his game, asking more out of himself.”

Behind Milroe, backup Ty Simpson looked sharp throughout the week. It’s not common in today’s landscape that two quarterbacks who competed for the starting job one year both return the following year, but there’s a strong relationship between the two, and there’s confidence that both players are progressing according to plan.

“I think they believe and trust in coach DeBoer, myself, the staff, their teammates in what we’re doing here,” Sheridan said. “They come from great families that are supportive, and they also know that patience can be rewarded. I know that’s hard to do in today’s college football, but if you are around the right people, in the right environment, good things are going to happen to you if you stay the course, put your head down and work really hard. That’s what we have in the room.”

An interesting tidbit in the first few practices is that in quarterback drills, redshirt freshman Austin Mack has been the third quarterback ahead of sophomore Dylan Lonergan. Their development will be more consequential for next spring, but it’s notable Mack continues to rise in his second year in DeBoer’s offense after following the coach from Washington.

Running back: All indications are that there won’t be a dominant back this season because there’s a true 1A-1B dynamic between Justice Haynes and Jam Miller. The two have equally handled duties as the lead running back in drill sessions. One of the secondary storylines entering practice was whether Richard Young could make enough of a move to secure a role as the third running back.

“Consistent. I think that’s a good word for him,” DeBoer said. “I’m thinking back to the last three, four or five practices (of spring), including the spring game, and he kind of rose to the occasion. He’s continued to just be steady. That’s what I love about him, that’s what I love about the whole position group.”

Wide receiver: This group might be in the infancy stage of sweeping declarations on offense, at least for position coach JaMarcus Shephard.

“Really none,” Shephard said of the progress in the first week. “At this point, we haven’t played a game; that’s when we’ll know. Right now guys are just out there running plays, and we’re giving them concepts to execute and see who can execute those concepts. I’m looking at missed assignments; that’s what I’m focusing on. Do you not know what you’re doing so now the quarterback’s timing is off?”

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In that regard, the two players with the fewest mental errors are Germie Bernard, which is to be expected as a Washington transfer, and Kendrick Law. Additionally, freshmen Ryan Williams and Caleb Odom earned kudos during the first week for consistently lining up correctly. Both have been mixing in with the first and second groups and will challenge for early, rotation snaps should their development continue.

“Certainly the time that he’s had to learn the offense has helped him,” Sheridan said of Odom. “It’s just more time on task. Certainly from our perspective, he’s more comfortable with his assignment and alignment and what he’s supposed to do each and every play.”

Tight end: Not much has changed since spring practice, when CJ Dippre, Robbie Ouzts and Josh Cuevas emerged as the top three options. The tight end position is critical in DeBoer’s system, and it appears that each will have a role. It should look similar to last season when three tight ends (Dippre, Ouzts, Amari Niblack) each totaled at least 340 snaps, according to TruMedia. Behind them, Danny Lewis Jr., Ty Lockwood and Jay Lindsey provide solid depth.

Offensive line: Sunday’s practice brought a lineup change. Kadyn Proctor returned to the first team in position drill work joining (left to right) Tyler Booker, Parker Brailsford, Jaeden Roberts and Wilkin Formby. Proctor, Formby and Elijah Pritchett have worked in a rotation, but, notably, Proctor is starting to rise.

Proctor’s work ethic and attitude since returning have garnered praise from coaches and teammates. Missing spring practice wasn’t ideal, but it feels like he’s mostly caught up from a conditioning and playbook standpoint.

“He understood he missed spring and would have to make strides to catch up,” Booker said. “He’s done that so far. He’s at the point where he would’ve been had he stayed.”

Transfer Geno VanDeMark and redshirt freshman Roq Montgomery are alternating on the second unit at guard and center regularly, while other second-teamers include Olaus Alinen (guard) and Naquil Betrand (tackle). Depth and accuracy in snapping have been a priority since position coach Chris Kapilovic arrived, and Brailsford, Montgomery, VanDeMark, freshmen Joseph Ionata and William Sanders and even Booker have practiced snapping during the offseason. At least eight to 10 players with snapping ability will be the standard moving forward.

Saturday’s practice provided some clarity about the pecking order on the interior. Roberts missed some of practice because of graduation, and VanDeMark replaced him as the first-team right guard. The person who replaced VanDeMark as second-team guard is true freshman Casey Poe.

“Casey’s coming along,” Kapilovic said. “We’ve asked him to play multiple positions (guard and tackle), and he’s done that. He’s a guy we’re counting on to develop and help this program in a big way.”

Que Robinson is working at Alabama’s Wolf position in practice. (Gary Crosby / USA Today)

Defense

Defensive line: When asked which has been the most consistent group, DeBoer pointed to the defensive line, which is an encouraging sign considering a lackluster performance in the spring game. This week has been the first time the group has been at full strength with Jaheim Oatis fully participating, while LT Overton returned to practice Saturday after missing the first two days with an illness.

Tim Keenan III, Jah-Marien Latham and Tim Smith have been constants with the first team with Oatis rotating in. One player who is making a move in the second group is James Smith, who has improved his body and carried his momentum from a strong A-Day showing.

“James is very talented, and he does a tremendous job of taking advantage of one-on-ones,” defensive coordinator Kane Wommack said. “His encouragement has been to continue to lean into the consistency of our scheme. Those are the things that I think we are seeing that he’s making strides from where he was in the springtime.”

No player is getting more individual, additional instruction during team drills than freshman edge rusher Keon Keeley. There’s a concerted effort from position coach Freddie Roach and Mosley to help him adjust. As the rest of the defensive line group took a water break on Thursday, Roach and Keeley worked one-on-one on the sled to improve Keeley’s technique.

Keeley’s role is to be determined, but Wommack noted that he has flashed some pass-rush ability. Under the tutelage of Roach and a veteran defensive line, Keeley’s development trajectory seems strong.

Outside linebacker: There’s a clear top three for the vacant Wolf position: Que Robinson, Keanu Koht and Qua Russaw, who has made the biggest move since spring practice. The coaches hope that one or two will separate, but there has been strong competition early.

“We have strength in numbers,” DeBoer said. “I think as time goes on and they continue to develop, we’ll have some of those that really become more of the stars. Right now, they’re all in a really good spot competing, attacking. I don’t really feel like there are any missed assignments ever, because they know when they get that rep, they have to execute and do their job.”

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Que Robinson has taken on a mentorship role. He frequently delivers extra instruction behind Christian Robinson, particularly for true freshmen Noah Carter and Jayshawn Ross, and is the most vocal of the group.

“I wouldn’t say I’ve grown into being a leader; that’s always who I’ve been,” Que Robinson said. “Even when Will Anderson was here or (Dallas Turner or Chris Braswell), I’ve always been vocal. It’s just more obvious now because I’m the old head in the room.”

Que Robinson praised Carter, a top-100 prospect who is a summer enrollee. He likely won’t get many defensive snaps this fall, but his development will be important down the road.

“Noah’s kind of a cerebral guy,” Que Robinson said. “He’s absorbing the plays nicely, faster than most people. I’m just trying to help him more with technique and things that he didn’t learn and use in high school.”

Inside linebacker: The biggest news in this group was Wommack stating that senior Justin Jefferson has risen to the point where Wommack considers him a starting-level player next to Deontae Lawson and Jihaad Campbell. The rotation is too early to call, but Jefferson has gotten first-team reps early.

Jeremiah Alexander and true freshman Justin Okoronkwo, who had the most tackles at A-Day, are two young players who are making strong impressions.

“Jeremiah Alexander is starting to take steps forward in the right direction,” Wommack said. “He’s played (outside linebacker) the last couple years and made that transition to inside linebacker — those are two different worlds. You gotta rep that; you got to work that. And I’ve been very impressed with Okoronkwo, been really impressed with some of the things he’s been doing.”

Secondary: There was some slight injury news on Sunday as true freshman Zabien Brown was spotted with a hand cast, but DeBoer said the injury isn’t serious and Brown will be back to 100 percent soon. Brown practiced and continued earning rave reviews as he battles DaShawn Jones for a starting cornerback spot.

“He just doesn’t feel like a freshman out there. He does not,” DeBoer said. “We felt that way this spring, and he just followed that up with another big jump like you really would expect. He’s just out there, and I don’t think of him as young or anything like that. I think of him as a guy that’s just fitting into the defense, and I’m proud of the way he approaches it.”

Another true freshman earning praise is Jaylen Mbakwe. Along with Brown and Zavier Mincey, there’s confidence that the three five-star freshmen will be impact performers, maybe this season. Malachi Moore, Keon Sabb and DeVonta Smith are steady at safety, while transfers Kameron Howard and King Mack have slid into the second group, with Bray Hubbard as the depth pieces behind the starters.

Special teams

DeBoer believes that transfer kicker Graham Nicholson and punter James Burnip will combine to be one of the best duos in the nation.

“Burnip, him and (long snapper Kneeland Hibbett) and Conor Talty have done a good job, too, kicking this camp,” DeBoer said. “I really feel like our specialists are going to be as good as any across the country.”

(Top photo of Kalen DeBoer: Gary Crosby / USA Today)