5 Alabama players with the most to gain in the final week of spring practice

The last week of spring practice in college football is a lot like the end of the semester for students before the final exam. The studying has already been done, the notes have already been taken, and the early mistakes have either been corrected or exposed. But in those last few days before the test, there is still time for someone to raise their grade and change the entire outlook of their GPA moving forward. 

That is exactly where several Alabama players find themselves entering the last days of spring practices before Crimson Tide fans and spectators make their way down to Saban-Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium to watch A-Day this Saturday. While some players have already cemented their standing on the depth chart, others still have a major opportunity to make a lasting impression on Kalen DeBoer and his coaching staff before the spring officially comes to a close. 

Whether it's trying to separate themselves from a teammate in a position battle for a starting job, solidifying a role in the rotation of their position group, or simply building momentum heading into the summer, this final stretch is critical. With only a few practices left, here are five players with the most to gain, as a strong finish that could set the tone for their respective roles ahead of the 2026 season. 

5 Alabama players with the most to gain in the final week of spring practice

1.) Keelon Russell — Battle for QB1 vs Austin Mack:

Russell enters the final week of spring practice with perhaps the most to gain among Alabama's quarterback room, as the competition for QB1 remains one of the biggest storylines of the offseason in college football. After spending much of 2025 learning the Crimson Tide offense and adjusting to the college game as a redshirt true freshman, Russell has taken noticeable strides this spring — most notably in how he commands the huddle and handles Ryan Grubb's terminology as a signal caller. DeBoer made this apparent about the former five-star on Friday following Alabama's second scrimmage, when praising Russell's growth in his ability to rattle off calls, compared to last season. 

"He's almost at the point where he doesn't have to think when he says it," DeBoer said. "He now has to slow down to make sure everyone is very clear, you know, which is a good problem to have."

That type of progression — bridging the mental side of calling an offense with the upside and athleticism he has as a natural playmaker — is exactly the type of improvement that gives Russell a real shot to separate himself from Austin Mack in the closing days of spring. If Russell can carry this momentum through the final practices into A-Day, he has a chance to not just impress DeBoer and Grubb, but to stake a legitimate claim for Alabama's starting quarterback job heading into fall. And by successfully doing so, this week could snowball as a turning point that defines his role in the Crimson Tide's 2026 offense. 

2.) Rico Scott — Can he successfully round out Alabama's receiver rotation as WR4?

Scott enters this final week of spring practice in a position where the margin for impact is razor-thin, but the opportunity is massive. With all signs pointing to Ryan Coleman-Williams, Lotzeir Brooks, and Noah Rogers already locked in as the top three receivers on Alabama's depth chart, Scott's path to WR4 requires him to stand out in subtle but meaningful ways — crisp route running, reliable hands, and showing he can make contested catches when the defense zeroes in on him.

What makes Scott's situation particularly compelling is that WR4 isn't just a depth spot — it's the last guaranteed starting role in the Crimson Tide's receiver rotation, the one that sees meaningful snaps on third downs and red-zone packages. If he can demonstrate consistency, versatility, and chemistry with the quarterbacks, this week could be his turning point to cement himself as the final piece of a loaded receiving core ahead of talented younger receivers like Cederian Morgan, Derek Meadows, and others. 

3.) Nick Brooks — Battle to contribute at left guard or right tackle:

Brooks heads into the final week of spring practice in the thick of one of Alabama's more intriguing trench battles. The 6-foot-7, 329-pound Texas transfer's versatility — being capable of playing both tackle and guard — is valuable for a Crimson Tide offensive front that is undergoing significant turnover, while continuing to sort out its identity. That same positional flexibility has also made his role less defined as the spring wears on. 

Alabama has shuffled line combinations throughout camp, and while Brooks has seen work inside at left guard and outside at tackle, rising Ole Miss transfer Ethan Fields made noticeable ground around those reps in the second scrimmage, while competing with Jayvin James outside, underscoring just how competitive the battle up front has been over a month of practice. What makes this closing stretch so important for Brooks is that the Tide coaching staff is clearly seeking consistency and continuity on their interior — putting players in positions where they can master their assignments rather than constantly rotate — and Brooks' performance in the next few days of practice will go a long way towards showing whether he merits a steady role at one spot.

 DeBoer detailed the importance of getting the entire unit synced as the offensive line continues to gel, a philosophy that could directly influence whether Brooks lands meaningful snaps this fall.

While DeBoer didn't single out Brooks publicly after Alabama's second scrimmage, he has emphasized the importance of cohesion among this unit. With that being said, the next few days could determine whether Brooks turns his versatility into a steady starting role heading into the summer. 

4.) Xavier Griffin — Can he rise in Alabama's linebacker rotation?

This spring has been a time where Griffin has tried to carve out a role on defense ahead of his true freshman season, as Alabama evaluates not just his talent, but his adaptability. The five-star linebacker has impressed early in camp with his size at 6-foot-3 and 222 pounds, but more than just physical tools, Griffin is being tested on his ability to process the game at a high level. And with senior linebacker Caleb Woodson pretty much penciled in as the starter, Griffin is rotating in with the likes of older backers like Luke Metz, QB Reese, Abduall Sanders, Duke Johnson, and others to prove to DeBoer that he has what it takes from a knowledge standpoint to play early. 

For Griffin, this final week is a chance to prove successful adjustment on the fly when it comes to reading offenses and taking on the responsibilities of being a successful communicator as a "green dot" backer in Kane Wommack's defense. A good week of practice, parlayed with a good showing at A-Day, could cement him as more of a reliable option in the rotation and give him a better shot to become a consistent contributor in games this fall. 

5.) Jireh Edwards — Battle for playing time at safety behind Bray Hubbard & Keon Sabb:

Edwards enters the final week of spring needing to show both patience and precision. With Bray Hubbard sidelined for precautionary reasons and sophomore defensive back Ivan Taylor continuing to emerge in year two, these practices are critical at stating his case to contribute in situational packages in the rotation as a true freshman. 

At 6-foot-2 and 221 pounds, he fits the mold from a physical standpoint, but his opportunity relies on more mental understanding than anything. Alabama's secondary demands communication and anticipation, and coaches are watching which young safeties can consistently make the right reads under pressure. For Edwards, clean, mistake-free reps in the coming days could build trust and potentially carve out a specialized spot in nickel or dime packages, giving him a chance to contribute as a first-year player in 2026. 

All in all, it'll be interesting to see what each player does in their particular situations this week to leave a lasting impact on DeBoer, Grubb, and Wommack as Alabama concludes spring practices with their annual A-Day scrimmage in front of fans and spectators on saturday, April 11th at 1PM under the lights of Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium.