Alabama Football: More thoughts on first Tide spring scrimmage

As information seeps out about the first Alabama football spring scrimmage, there are reasons to draw some additional conclusions. Conclusions, of course, always being preliminary at this point of each Alabama Football development cycle.

Much will change before the end of the spring’s next seven sessions. The change will continue when the remainder of the 2021 signing class enrolls this summer. Early fall camp will still have unresolved two-deep issues. After the last fall camp scrimmage, how and with what starters the Crimson Tide will begin the season will become clear.

Until that point in fall camp, Alabama football fans will relish every bit of the ebb and flow of the 2021 Alabama Crimson Tide.

Alabama Football Offense Sharp in First Scrimmage

Early reports on Friday’s scrimmage were that Bryce Young connected on four touchdowns. That number may have been low due to the situational format that included red zone starts. Alabama football fans were excited to hear Young did well against what everyone believes will be an improved Crimson Tide defense. Further information on the scrimmage is that while Bryce did very well, it was mostly against the Tide second unit defense.

When Nick Saban stated the offense, under Bryce, had some explosive plays, those plays might have been against the second defense. Some of the touchdown passes may have been short throws near the goal line. Even with the added intel, enthusiasm for Bryce is justified.

There is no question the re-building of the Crimson Tide offensive line is not close to a finished product. The first unit Friday included only two players with starting experience last season; Evan Neal and Chris Owens. The unit will get better. The return of Emil Ekiyor, who should be healthy for fall camp, will immediately make the o-line better.

Until then, the Crimson Tide defensive line and the defensive front seven, first units will be a challenge for the Tide offensive line. Alabama football insiders say outside linebackers Will Anderson and Chris Allen were nearly unblockable in Friday’s scrimmage.

Another offensive player who stood out on Friday was running back, Keilan Robinson. Most projected depth charts have had Jase McClellan as RB2, behind Brian Robinson Jr. Expected to contend for that role, once he is fully recovered, is Trey Sanders. K-Rob has returned bigger and as fast, if not faster than two seasons ago. With his versatility, including catching passes, he will be a factor in the Tide’s offensive plans.

Crimson Tide fans have been concerned about a punter. Charlie Scott was given a one-season waiver to play last year. He was not expected to be available in 2021. He is on the roster and punted Friday. He will need another NCAA waiver to compete in 2021,  but there is optimism he will receive it.

The Alabama Crimson Tide will return to the practice field on, Monday, Apr. 5 for its ninth spring session. A second scrimmage is planned for Saturday, Apr. 10 in Bryant-Denny.