Alabama
What we saw from the new cornerbacks at Alabama football practice
Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack had a simple demand.
“Strike through the man and punch through,” Wommack barked to the Alabama football defensive backs.
Wommack was running a tackling drill early in practice on Saturday. One player stands with his back to a red landing mat. Meanwhile, a defensive back launches into him, down onto the mat.
Not everyone struck the way Wommack sought. But he liked one rep from Zabien Brown.
Brown lowered his right shoulder and popped the player standing in front of the mat.
“Good,” Wommack responded. “Better with the strike.”
It’s one moment in a practice of many. And it was an individual drill, in which Brown was tackling a non-moving teammate. Still, it reflects well on Brown, a freshman who is one of the cornerbacks in competition for a starting job.
The media viewing periods during preseason camp aren’t long; none has lasted more than 30 minutes. And there’s no 11 vs. 11 or really any offense vs. defense. It’s mainly position work reporters see. Nonetheless, it’s an opportunity to see the Crimson Tide players practice.
AL.com spent Saturday mainly watching the cornerbacks during the viewing period. Here are some of the things we saw.
– There wasn’t a clear or consistent hierarchy or order going through drills. Some positions, it can be easy to spot. Cornerback, not so much. The order through each drill changed, but one that stood out: Domani Jackson, DaShawn Jones, Zavier Mincey, Brown, Jaylen Mbakwe then Jahlil Hurley. The next time through for a slightly different drill it was Jackson, Jones, Brown, Mincey, Mbakwe then Hurley. Then it was all shuffled up the next drill in which the cornerbacks put a blue band around their ankles and backpedaled. Don’t take these to be the depth chart; just a look at how the group worked in practice.
– Mincey is another freshman cornerback to watch besides Brown. He stands out on the field with noticeable length. Mincey is listed at 6-3, so he’s easy to spot quickly. Learning the finer points of the game will be key, but he would be an ideal defender to face a tall receiver. He might not be able to win the starting job out of camp, but he could help the defense at some point this season if he doesn’t. He’s got the measurables and talent to be a valuable defender, whether it be now or down the road.
Alabama defensive back Zavier Mincey (12) works with Alabama co-defensive coordinator Maurice Linguist, right, during Alabama’s spring football practice, Wednesday, March 6, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)AP
– We didn’t see any real pass coverage drills during the media viewing period. Tackling and run defense mainly filled the time.
– Maurice Linguist, who coaches the cornerbacks, really liked how Jones ran one rep of a drill; In the drill, cornerbacks start off the line of scrimmage then run to wrap up a teammate holding a blocking shield. “There we go,” Linguist yelled while he clapped forcefully to show his approval of Jones’ technique.
– Linguist also praised Jackson several times through some of these run defense drills; Jackson figures to man one starting cornerback spot after his time at USC.
– Mbakwe, another five-star freshman, had some good moments in the drills but also a moment or two that left something to be desired from the coaches. You can see the potential, though. His development will be worth watching.
Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer forAL.comand the Alabama Media Group.Follow him on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – 7-seeded Alabama continues NCAA regional action in the Tuscaloosa Regional on Saturday against USC Upstate. The Crimson Tide is coming off a monstrous offensive effort on Friday that saw the team score the most runs in program NCAA Tournament history with 21. The Spartans scored in each of the first four innings to upset Oklahoma State and advance to Saturday’s winner’s bracket game.
Alabama Baseball Regional Tournament Central: Schedule, How to Watch, Bracket Breakdown
Live Updates (Refresh Your Browser For Latest Updates at the Top)
Pregame
- Tonight’s start time has been delayed as we’ve entered a weather delay.
- Alabama vs. USC Upstate will have a first pitch time of 6:23 p.m. CT. The grounds crew is currently tending the field in between matchups.
- 5:13 p.m. CT – Oklahoma State beat Alabama State 8-7 in 11 innings to eliminate the Hornets from the Tuscaloosa Regional. The Cowboys move into tomorrow’s elimination game against the loser of Alabama and USC Upstate on Sunday.
Starting Lineups
USC Upstate
Alabama
How to Watch: 7-Seed Alabama vs. USC Upstate in the Tuscaloosa Regional
Who: 7-seed Alabama (38-19, 18-12 SEC) vs. USC Upstate (34-28, 13-11 Big South Conference)
What: NCAA Regional Game 4
When: Saturday, May 30, 6 p.m. CT
Where: Sewell-Thomas Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
TV: ESPN +
Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network. LISTEN LIVE
Series: Alabama and USC Upstate have never played in baseball.
Last Meeting: The Crimson Tide and Spartans have never played in baseball.
Last time out, Alabama: The Crimson Tide used 15 hits, and took advantage of eight walks, four errors, and four wild pitches to beat Alabama State 21-3 in their first NCAA Regional matchup of the weekend. Alabama had four different players hit home runs as the Crimson Tide cruised to an easy win.
Last time out, USC Upstate: The Spartans upset Oklahoma State 8-5 in their first game of the NCAA Regional. USC Upstate struck out 10 batters and scored in each of the first four innings to upset the Cowboys.
Tuscaloosa Regional Information
- Alabama, (37-19)
- Oklahoma State, (37-20)
- USC Upstate, (31-27)
- Alabama State, (31-21)
Friday
- Game 1 – #2 Oklahoma St. (37-20) vs. #3 USC Upstate (33-28), 1 p.m. CT, ESPN+
- Game 2 – #1 Alabama (37-19) vs. #4 Alabama St. (34-21), 6 p.m. CT, SEC Network
Saturday
- Game 3 – Oklahoma State vs. Alabama State – 1 p.m. CT
- Game 4 – USC Upstate vs. Alabama – 6 p.m. CT
Sunday
- Game 5 – Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4 – 2 p.m. CT
- Game 6 – Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5 – 7 p.m. CT
Monday
Game 7 – IF Necessary – Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6 – TBD
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The Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Alabama State Hornets meet in the first game of Saturday’s action at the Tuscaloosa Regional on Saturday.
The Cowboys (37-21) and the Hornets lost their first games of the tournament on Friday. The loser of this game will be eliminated. The winner of this game will advance to another elimination game on Sunday between the loser of the USC Upstate-Alabama game, which follows OSU-ASU
Oklahoma State fans can keep up with the game here, including lineups and inning by inning details on the game. Check out Oklahoma State On SI’s NCAA Tournament Central for everything related to the Tuscaloosa Regional.
Game Details
Oklahoma State vs. Alabama State
Time: 1 p.m. central
TV: ESPN+ (Derek Jones & Jared Mitchell on the call). NOTE: TV is subject to change without notice.
Radio: Cowboy Radio Network & The Varsity Network App/93.7 KSPI-FM or okla.state/GetVarsity (Rex Holt on the call)
OSU Batting Order
The batting order for Saturday’s game will be posted here when it is released by the team.
Xxx
Tuscaloosa Regional
Location: Tuscaloosa, Ala. Venue: Sewell-Thomas Stadium (5,867).
Friday’s Results
Game 1: USC Upstate 8, Oklahoma State 5
Game 2: Alabama 21, Alabama State 3
Saturday’s Games
Game 3: Oklahoma State vs. Alabama State, TBA (elimination game)
Game 4: USC Upstate vs. Alabama, TBA (advances to Sunday’s final)
Sunday’s Games
Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4 (elimination game)
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5
Monday’s Game
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6 (if necessary)
(Times subject to change for TV purposes)
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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – For those incarcerated in Alabama, there is a path to employment through the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles Re-Entry Program.
The Bureau looks at where someone may live after serving their sentence and starts connecting them with potential employers, while also conducting drug screenings to help ensure employers and communities are getting a safe employee.
“We make sure as they’re moving through our re-entry programs that they’re re-assessed for mental health stability for substance abuse challenges,” said Rebecca Bensema, Assistant Director of Re-entry and Rehabilitation.
Bensema said the agency sits down with inmates to gauge their interests and review their work history to help match them with opportunities.
Bureau Director Cam Ward explained that there are areas where an individual would be unable to work because of their conviction.
“For example, if I committed check fraud, I’m not going to be able to get a job at the bank. Sex offense… you’re not going to be eligible to work anywhere near kids or sensitive facilities,” Ward said.
Ward said offering job possibilities to people leaving incarceration is key to reducing recidivism and repeat offenses.
“Give the employer all the information and if they want to hire somebody based on their criminal history, let the employer decide, don’t let the government be the one who dictates it,” he said.
The Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles says it currently has positions open that people with a criminal background can apply for.
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