Alabama Football: Spring Practice news and chatter

Four practices into Alabama Football’s spring schedule, there has been some news. Most of the news has centered on the several Alabama Crimson Tide players not doing any contact work this spring. Following surgeries, Dallas Turner and Deoantae Lawson will miss all spring activity.

A few others doing football drills, but following careful precautions are, Justin Eboigbe, Robbie Ouzts, and Jah-Marien Latham. Roydell Williams and Devonta Smith are also limited.

Less experienced Crimson Tide players can benefit from the reduced spring roster. Chris Braswell is expected to lock down one of the outside linebacker slots in the fall, along with Dallas Turner. This spring, Senior Quandarrius Robinson, Redshirt Sophomore Keanu Koht, Sophomore Jihaad Campbell and early enrollee freshman Qua Russaw will try to make a case for being included in a regular fall rotation.

One freshman seemingly sure to be in the defensive rotation is James Smith on the defensive line. His physical presence and mobility have stood out in the early practices.

Alabama football fans giving practice video and photographs close scrutiny have noticed considerable rotation on the offensive line. It is too early to draw any conclusions about the offensive line. Eric Wolford will mix and match throughout the spring. Many of the starting roles and possibly all of them will have to be won in fall camp scrimmages.

It is also too early for any guesses about the quarterback competition. There will be chatter about both Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson looking good. There is no expectation a starter will be named before late August and possibly not until the Monday of week two of the regular season. Both will see plenty of action against Middle Tennessee in the season opener.

Early Spring Alabama Football Highlights

• Having now shed a total of 100 pounds, Jaheim Oatis appears poised to make a major impact in the 2023 season. Oatis could well be one of the most dominant defensive linemen in college football.
• Malik Benson has looked great in his early work. He has the combination of great speed and soft hands that are making some Alabama football insiders claim he is already the Tide’s top receiver.
• There is a long way to go before any freshman can win a starting job, but Caleb Downs clearly has what it takes to start in his first Alabama game. Some Alabama football insiders are already comparing Downs to Minkah Fitzpatrick.

There will be 10 more practice sessions before the A-Day game on Apr. 22. The next session is Thursday, Mar. 30. A closed scrimmage is anticipated on Apr. 15.

Not saying it will happen, but a novel approach for the QBs for A-Day would be to put both Milroe and Simpson with the first-unit offense. Give them an equal opportunity to show their skills. Although, the spring game, no-contact on the QBs rule takes away some of Jalen Milroe’s special skill.