Alabama Football: What to make of first Crimson Tide scrimmage

After one Alabama Football scrimmage, what can Crimson Tide fans conclude? A simple answer is a bit but not too much. Much will be learned following scrimmage No. 2, after which, more reps will be allocated to the two-deep players.

There was some clear good news from the scrimmage about running back Trey Sanders. Multiple reports state Sanders did well running and catching the football, including a touchdown pass from Bryce Young. It appears the former top running back recruit has fully recovered from injury and has returned with his speed and quickness intact.

Young threw three touchdowns with TD tosses to Cameron Latu and JoJo Earle, as well as Sanders. Young was intercepted once by freshman, defensive back, Terrion Arnold. Although a summer enrollee, Arnold appears to have a chance to contribute in the secondary at either cornerback or safety.

In our post, Five questions for the scrimmage, I asked who will win the ‘other’ cornerback job, opposite Josh Jobe. The much-discussed competition between, Jaylin Armour-Davis and Kool-Aid McKinstry was not changed by the scrimmage. The pair, along with Khyree Jackson and now perhaps Arnold will continue to fight for starting roles.

In other quarterback news, Paul Tyson had a good scrimmage. He connected with Thaui Jones-Bell for a long touchdown. Tyson had a good two-minute drive stymied by one of his offensive teammates fumbling at the goal line. It is known how much, but Tyson was said to have received some first-unit snaps on Saturday. Jalen Milroe was reported also doing well, but the freshman did throw an interception.

It comes as no surprise to Alabama football fans to hear the starting linebacker group of Will Anderson Jr., Chris Allen, Christian Harris and Henry To’o To’o performed at a high level during the scrimmage.

Many thanks to Matt Zenitz of on3.com and Tony Tsoukalas of Bama Insider for their scrimmage reports being available to all readers.

Alabama Football concerns

After the scrimmage, Nick Saban said Kendall Randolph sprained an ankle and had to be replaced in the lineup. One of the other pre-scrimmage questions was about a right tackle starter. With Randolph injured (hopefully not seriously) the right tackle options appear to be Damieon George Jr., Amari Kight and J. C. Latham.

In addition, the (we think minor) injury list was longer than expected on Saturday. One Alabama football insider said neither Evan Neal nor Chris Owens participated.

Sunday is an off day for the Crimson Tide. By Monday’s practice, some clarity can be expected on Kendall Randolph and other possible injuries.

Alabama football fans should remember Saturday was a situational scrimmage. No official stats were released and rumors about player stats can be misleading because of the scrimmage format.