Alabama Football Daily Insider: A-Day Rosters And More
By Ronald Evans
Alabama football: What you need to know for A-Day. Rosters and players to closely watch, including interesting matchups.
The Daily Insider: April 22
Alabama football fans A-Day is so special we are doing a daily insider report early edition. Most of America seems to believe the biggest football day every spring is the first round of the NFL Draft.
Not so in Alabama. For the Crimson Nation, A-Day (and junior a-day for our slack-jawed third cousins down the road) is the most important football day of spring. Maybe those SEC Network commercials are not so lame after all. We get it – It just means more.
What to Expect from A-Day
Alabama Crimson Tide Football
As we have discussed in previous Insider reports, don’t expect much of the Saban-Daboll offense to be unveiled during A-Day. Over the years Saban has been clear, a spring scrimmage will never be a scouting opportunity for early fall opponents.
Some new formations will be used. The ball will be thrown upfield a bit more. Don’t expect many bubble screens or jet sweeps.
The QB’s will be protected, so sacks will be by touch or grab. Kick returns have the same restrictions.
What You Need to Know in Advance
Crimson is first team offense and second team defense. White is first team defense and second team offense. So in football vernacular, the game is “good vs good” and everybody else fighting for a first team slot, playing against each other. Here are the rosters:
CRIMSON TEAM
QB: Jalen Hurts and Jackson Carpenter
RB: Josh Jacobs and Brian Robinson
WR: Calvin Ridley, Robert Foster, Cam Sims, Derek Kief, Tyrell Shavers and Chadarius Townsend
TE: Miller Forristall and Hale Hentges
OL: Jonah Williams, Ross Pierschbacher, Bradley Bozeman, Lester Cotton, Matt Womack, Richie Petitbo and Dallas Warmack
DL: Raekwon Davis, Johnny Dwight, Josh Frazier and Jamar King
ILB: Mack Wilson, Dylan Moses and Shawn Jennings
OLB: Terrell Hall, Jamey Mosley and Ben Davis
DB: Shyheim Carter, Hootie Jones, KyriqMcDonald, Xavier McKinney, Aaron Robinson, Levi Wallace and Daniel Wright
ST: Andy Pappanastos and Thomas Fletcher
WHITE TEAM
QB: Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones
RB: Najee Harris
WR: Jerry Jeudy, Xavian Marks, T.J. Simmons and Donnie Lee Jr.
TE: Irv Smith, Major Tennison and Ronnie Clark
OL: Elliot Baker, Deonte Brown, Josh Casher, J.C. Hassenauer, Brandon Kennedy, Scott Lashley, Alex Leatherwood and Chris Owens
DL: Da’Ron Payne, Da’Shawn Hand, Isaiah Buggs, Quinnen Williams and O.J. Smith
ILB: Rashaan Evans, Keith Holcombe and Josh McMillon
OLB: Christian Miller, Anfernee Jennings and Mekhi Brown
DB: Anthony Averett, Trevon Diggs, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Ronnie Harrison, Tony Brown, Keaton Anderson and Nigel Knott
ST: J. K. Scott
What Players and Matchups to Watch Closely
The final score should only matter to those eating either steak or beans. Fans can focus on new players, key matchups and certain positional confrontations. Here is our list of the most important.
- Robert Foster showcasing his potential to be a prime target opposite Calvin Ridley
- Jalen Hurts’ touch on long passes
- Is Matt Womack the answer at right tackle?
- Can Mack Wilson or Terrell Hall push themselves into key roles in next season’s defensive rotation?
- Are Dylan Moses and Ben Davis capable of roles beyond special teams next fall?
- Among the Crimson (second team) DB’s, who can be solid backup players next fall?
- How good is Quinnen Williams?
- How improved is Raekwon Davis?
- How good is Trevon Diggs at CB?
- Can Najee Harris run behind a second team line against the first team defense?
- Tua or Mac, Jalen’s backup?
- Can either Jerry Jeudy or T.J. Simmons break into the regular rotation at wideout?
- Can Baker, Brown, Lashley and Leatherwood block the first team defensive line?
Some, but far from all of these questions will be answered on Saturday. The good news is after A-Day, Alabama football fans will have a better sense of what to expect when fall camp begins in August.
Next: Is Reuben Still Destined to be a First Rounder?
Alabama fans let us hear from you. Let us know what you learned by watching A-Day. Check in with us on Facebook or Twitter.