Alabama football conducted session No. 12 of fall camp Thursday afternoon. Afterward, Nick Saban reviewed injuries and player development.
Thursday afternoon was full pads and high heat for Alabama football. As Nick Saban admitted later, this is the grind week of fall camp. After a Friday practice, the Alabama Crimson Tide players have a Saturday scrimmage. For many players, the scrimmage performance will the best chance to grab a spot in the two-deep. There will be another week of fall camp sessions before game week as players continue to compete for spots.
Once the regular routine of Alabama football practices begins, moving into the two-deep from below is much harder. One change occurred on Thursday. New freshman, Ale Kaho worked in full pads for the first time.
The Leatherwood at right guard and Wills at right tackle pattern continued on Thursday. After practice, Nick Saban called the adjustment experimental,
"if you’re going to build diversity in your players you almost have to do it now (fall camp). If a guy goes down and you want to move somebody over to guard, play another guy at tackle. Get the best five guys out on the field however you can, you got to do it now"
There may have been some experimenting going on in the secondary Thursday afternoon as well. In the nickel defense drills, true freshman, Patrick Surtain Jr. was at the star position. Shyheim Carter has been believed to be the starter at star. Today, Carter worked with the second unit at safety. Today’s change should not be read as Surtain has bumped Carter out of the starting role. It was probably an experiment like the offensive line, looking at combinations to get the best players on the field.
Players continue to fight for regular roles
Surtain might start against Louisville. If he does, it more likely will be at star in the dime formation. Carter would be at star in the nickel, but slide to money in the dime. Saban has previously praised Carter for his knowledge and leadership. Saban values physical ability, he values knowledge and leadership just as much, maybe more.
Saban specifically praised Trevon Diggs and Xavier McKinney for their consistent performance in the secondary during fall camp.
On the Alabama football injury front, Saban explained Najee Harris is in a cast. After staying off the foot for a week, Harris is expected to be fine. There is a good chance he can play against Louisville.
On the starting quarterback, Nick offered no new information. Speaking on the final choice he will have to make, he said, “I don’t expect it to be an easy decision.”
The scrimmage on Saturday will be game-like circumstances. It will be a good test of which players can make the correct reads and decisions they must make in actual games.
The Friday practice is an afternoon session. Bama Hammer will pass along all available news.