Alabama Football will conduct a somewhat different A-Day game Saturday afternoon. There will still be a Crimson team and a White team. The winners will again eat steaks while the losers will eat beans. The ESPN college football hype machine will broadcast as usual.
Many other things will be different. Normally the A-Day game is a powerful recruiting tool for the Alabama Crimson Tide. It might be again this year, but not without having to surmount very restrictive limitations. All recruits must attend without any financial assistance from the school. There can be no in-person contact between the recruits and the Alabama Football staff or even University of Alabama academic advisors. All the limitations are because the NCAA Dead Period remains in effect until June 1.
Ty Simpson may be the most important person in Tuscaloosa on Saturday. The incoming 5-Star quarterback from the Tide’s 2022 class has taken an aggressive role in pursuing future teammates. Simpson’s enthusiasm and leadership will be key to Saturday’s recruiting success.
Based on a sampling of tweets, most of the prospects who will attend are from the state of Alabama or neighboring states. Expected are 4-Star offensive lineman, Dayne Shor; 4-Star defensive lineman, Mykel Williams; 5-Star, defensive end – linebacker, Jeremiah Alexander; 4-Star Athlete, Shemar James; 4-Star, defensive lineman, Khurtiss Perry; along with a group of yet to enroll members of the 2021 class and other already committed members of the 2022 class.
Several more high-profile 2022 recruiting targets are expected but the names have not been publicly disclosed. Those names can be found behind certain paywalls. All the player ratings in the paragraph above are provided by 247Sports.
Alabama Football can boast something few other schools can match. In addition to an unmatched number of National Championships, the Alabama Crimson Tide will have three former NFL head coaches working the A-Day game. One is, of course, Nick Saban, The other two are Crimson Team Head Coach, Doug Maronne and White Team Head Coach, Bill O’Brien.
Key Alabama Football Players on A-Day Rosters
White Team First Team Offense; Second Team Defense
Bryce Young; Brian Robinson Jr.; Roydell Williams; Keilan Robinson; Javon Baker; Xavier Williams; Slade Bolden; Traeshon Holden; Cameron Latu; Jahleel Billingsley; Chris Owens; Kendall Randolph; Evan Neal; Tommy Brown; Javion Cohen; Damieon George; Tanner Bowles; Tim Smith; Jah-Marien Latham; Jamil Burroughs; Drew Sanders; King Mwikuta; Demouy Kennedy; Jackson Bratton; Ian Jackson; Quandarrius Robinson; Deontae Lawson; Marcus Banks; Daniel Wright; Ga’Quincy McKinstry; Brandon Turnage; Kristian Story and Ronald Williams
Crimson Team First Team Defense; Second Team Offense
Paul Tyson; Jalen Milroe; Jase McClellan; Kyle Edwards; Thaiu Jones-Bell; Christian Leary; Agiye Hall; Jacorey Brooks; Major Tennison; Caden Clark; Robbie Ouzts; Darrian Dalcourt; Tommy Brockermeyer; James Brosckermeyer; Terrence Ferguson; Amari Kight; J. C. Latham; Seth McLaughlin; D. J. Dale; Justin Eboigbe; Byron Young; LaBrayan Ray; Monkell Goodwine; Christian Harris; Jaylen Moody; Shane Lee; Will Anderson; Chris Allen; Chris Braswell; Keanu Koht; Jordan Battle; Josh Jobe; Jaylin Armour-Davis; DeMarcco Hellams; Brian Branch and Jahquez Robinson
Persistent rumors claim several of the players listed on the above rosters will not play because of COVID restrictions. As always in A-Day games. some players will rotate between the Crimson and White teams.