Spring practice comes to its conclusion for Alabama on Saturday with the annual A-Day game. Unfortunately, the game won't be televised, and no streaming options have been announced by the University, so if you want to get a look at the 2026 Crimson Tide, you'd better find a seat in Bryant-Denny.
Position battles have taken shape, culminating with a major opportunity in front of a big audience on Saturday.
The QB battle between Austin Mack and Keelon Russell holds the most intrigue. That's been discussed at length this spring, and neither has separated yet. Tomorrow's scrimmage is unlikely to change that as the battle wages on throughout the summer, fall camp, and perhaps into the season.
One of the most fun aspects of spring practice is seeing guys come from relative obscurity and make moves to position themselves for legitimate playing time in the fall. Here are five guys who have done that, and who will look to take further advantage of their opportunity during A-Day.
These 5 Alabama players have made a big move during spring practice
1. Steve Bolo Mboumoua
The light is starting to flicker on for redshirt sophomore Steve Bolo Mboumoua, who has reportedly had a strong showing in spring practice and looks ready to break into Alabama's defensive line rotation.
Mboumoua flashed on film last year during garbage time and is one of the most powerful players on the team. He hasn't played football for as long as his teammates, but it was always a matter of time before things started to click for the Cameroon native.
Alabama's defensive line has a real chance to be improved from a year ago. The additions of Big Ten transfers Devan Thompkins (USC) and Terrance Green (Oregon) are a big reason why, but organic growth from players like Mboumoua will increase depth and competition across the board.
2. Ivan Taylor
Sophomore Ivan Taylor has seen an increased opportunity this spring with Bray Hubbard limited, and by all accounts, he's taken advantage of it and is trying to force his way onto the field despite Alabama's ridiculous depth in the defensive backfield.
The son of former NFL DB and Super Bowl champion Ike Taylor, Ivan was a special teams contributor as a freshman and will look for an increased role as a sophomore on defense. Hubbard and Keon Sabb make up arguably the top safety duo in the country, but what makes Alabama's defensive backfield so impressive is the depth.
Guys like Taylor, Zay Mincey, Dre Kirkpatrick Jr., and true freshman Jireh Edwards all look capable of stepping in when they are needed.
3. Carmelo O'Neal
One of the more underrated Transfer Portal pickups for the Crimson Tide this offseason was Mercer's Carmelo O'Neal. The 6-foot-4 cornerback fits the mold of the type of DB that Kane Wommack and Maurice Linguist covet.
He's had an impressive spring, and while Zabien Brown and Dijon Lee are the no-doubt starters, O'Neal has positioned himself as arguably the top backup option at cornerback already.
O'Neal has the experience after two years of playing time at the FCS level, but it's always questionable how that will translate with a significant increase in competition. So far, so good.
4. Derek Meadows
The rising sophomore has been the forgotten guy in Alabama's WR room, but Kalen DeBoer's recent comments about the former 4-star recruit brought him back to the forefront of the conversation.
While guys like Ryan Coleman-Williams, Lotzeir Brooks, Noah Rogers, Rico Scott, and true freshman Cederian Morgan have gotten the majority of the attention, it's best not to forget that prior to the concussion that Meadows suffered against Missouri last year, he had positioned himself for some real playing time as a freshman.
Alabama will have to replace the redzone ability of Isaiah Horton, who transferred to Texas A&M. Meadows, along with Morgan, has the size to be a real difference-maker in that role.
5. Marshall Pritchett
Alabama's TE room is beginning to look exactly how DeBoer and Ryan Grubb want it to. The addition of Oklahoma State transfer Josh Ford was one of the most underrated portal pickups, and rising sophomore Kaleb Edwards should grow significantly with his first full offseason in Tuscaloosa.
But don't sleep on fellow sophomore Marshall Pritchett, who earned early playing time as a freshman due to a ton of injury attrition in the room. He was highly regarded as a recruit, and he's earned some praise from DeBoer during spring practice.
Edwards and Ford are in line to be the starters, but Pritchett is going to provide some quality depth and will likely see a significant role in his second season on campus.