The buzz after the second Alabama football scrimmage of the spring is definitely positive. Some Alabama football fans are hard to satisfy, but there was little from the scrimmage to complain about.
Of course, the fan debate over which guy should be QB1 continues unabated. There are Crimson Tide fans attached to tribes of support for Jalen Milroe or Ty Simpson. That is not all bad, but being too tribal leads to claims the ‘other guy’ if picked as QB 1, will be a disaster.
For those of us not members of either QB tribe, patience is required. A hunch is the earliest date the 2023 Alabama Crimson Tide has a designated starting quarterback is the first practice after the second fall scrimmage. What I hope to learn between now and then is the Alabama football offense can be championship-quality productive with either Jalen Milroe or Ty Simpson.
On Saturday. Jalen Milroe got more snaps with the first offensive unit than did Simpson. Reading too much into that is not worthwhile. Both QBs threw impressive touchdown passes. Both quarterbacks threw interceptions. One, by Milroe, was reportedly well-thrown and bounced off the hands of a receiver.
At this point in the spring, I am inclined to believe Milroe does not get enough credit as a passer and Simpson does not get enough credit as a runner. If both are correct, the Alabama offense will prosper.
Scrimmage observers added that freshman, Dylan Lonergan performed well. Lonergan was in the scrimmage before Eli Holstein.
Many observers raved about the Tide’s running backs, especially Jam Miller and Justice Haynes. After the scrimmage, Nick Saban commented on Justice Hayne’s performance.
"Justice has had a great spring. He’s a really good player. He’s a really mature guy. He’s really smart. Nothing’s really too big for him. He goes out there and competes, and if you are just a guy sitting on a log watching, you would never know he’s a freshman…… He can make cuts. He can make you miss. He’s got some power, good speed. He’s a good receiver."
Scrimmage observers also stated Roydell Williams did well on Saturday. The bottom line is the Crimson Tide is loaded at running back.
On the defensive side of the ball, Jamil Burroughs, Earl Little II, Caleb Downs, and, of course, Kool-Aid McKinstry were all said to have had impressive Saturday performances It is possible Jihaad Campbell is gaining a slight edge to earn the Will linebacker starting role.
More scrimmage thoughts will be shared by those present. Bama Hammer will follow up with any added information.