5 offensive players to watch for Alabama football during A-Day

Spring practice is coming to a close in Tuscaloosa as Kalen DeBoer and Alabama football gear up for A-Day on Saturday. A-Day will look a lot different this year as it won't be the normal scrimmage-type A-Day we've seen for many years now. It also won't be on television, so if you want to get a look at this team before the fall, your only chance of doing so will be by being in Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Kicking off at Noon CT, Alabama will be having an hour and a half practice open to the public on Saturday.

Alabama has dealt with plenty of injuries throughout spring practice, most of which stemmed from lingering issues from the 2024 season. That has opened up opportunities for younger players to gain valuable reps in the spring as they attempt to push themselves up the depth chart.

Let's take a look at five offensive players to watch during the A-Day practice.

Watch out for these 5 Alabama offensive players during A-Day

5. Wilkin Formby

Alabama's most common five-man starting group on the offensive line this spring, from left to right, has been Olaus Alinen, Texas A&M transfer Kam Dewberry, Parker Brailsford, Jaeden Roberts, and Wilkin Formby.

Alinen has been in place of an injured Kadyn Proctor, who has missed the whole spring. Proctor will slot into left tackle when healthy, but otherwise, there's a good chance that's your starting offensive line. There's still some competition at left guard and Geno VanDeMark and Michael Carroll will continue to push Dewberry for the starting spot.

Alabama is thin at tackle. That's why Alinen, a natural guard, has kicked out to left tackle during spring practice. After projected starters Proctor and Formby, you have a true freshman in Jackson Lloyd and Ball State transfer Arkel Anugwom.

Formby was Alabama's starting right tackle at the beginning of last season but struggled and was replaced by Elijah Pritchett. With Pritchett now at Nebraska, it's Formby's job to lose this year. He has the talent, but can he take that next step forward and solidify what should be a strength for the Crimson Tide this season?

4. RB Daniel Hill

Former 4-star recruit Daniel Hill has been a forgotten guy in the RB room after taking a redshirt last season and seeing little action. With Jam Miller and Richard Young seemingly entrenched at No. 1 and No. 2, the third back in the rotation was assumed to be Louisiana transfer Dre'lyn Washington or maybe even 4-star freshman AK Dear.

But Hill has been running third in practices and scrimmages. He has flashed and reports from the scrimmages have been positive for Hill. He gives Alabama a different dynamic in the backfield as a bigger, bruising type back. He's listed at 6-foot-1 and 240 pounds.

The RB room features a talented group of players. With Jalen Milroe gone, there should be more carries to go around as Alabama moves to a more traditional DeBoer offense in 2025.

3. Lotzeir Brooks

Freshman WR Lotzeir Brooks has been turning heads all spring long. He's drawn rave reviews from coaches and teammates and seems to be featured almost every time the University releases a highlight video from practice. He's going to be one of the gems from the 2025 recruiting class. The question will be how quickly he can get on the field in a crowded WR room.

He's certainly making leaving him on the bench difficult for DeBoer, OC Ryan Grubb, and WR coach JaMarcus Shepherd.

If you are in Tuscaloosa this weekend, keep an eye on the shifty freshman wearing No. 17. He might just remind you of another No. 17 from a few years ago...

2. Isaiah Horton

There's been a palpable buzz surrounding Miami (FL) transfer WR Isaiah Horton. Insiders say he has looked dominant in scrimmages and adds an additional weapon to an already potent starting group of receivers, featuring Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard. With his size and speed, he's a perfect complement to those two.

Horton had 616 receiving yards last season for the Hurricanes and gives Alabama another experienced, proven option at WR. With Horton's addition and Brooks' rise, there's no denying the Crimson Tide seems to have significantly upgraded the WR room for 2025.

1. Keelon Russell

All signs point toward Ty Simpson leading the way for the starting QB job. But I'd venture a guess that the majority of people going to A-Day this weekend are more excited to get their first in-person look at the 5-star true freshman, Keelon Russell.

Russell was the No. 2 overall player in the 2025 recruiting class and won the Gatorade National Player of the Year as a high school senior at Duncanville in Texas.

Russell has impressed in practices and scrimmages with his obvious raw talent. He's still learning the offense and obviously isn't as polished as Simpson. But the talent is undeniable and the ball explodes out of his hand with just a flick of the wrist:

The QB battle has been the most intriguing position battle of the spring. Even though Simpson appears to be ahead, a lot can change between now and the season opener against Florida State.