Alabama Crimson Tide news and notes from Monday and Tuesday, August 17th and 18th.
Alabama is "close" to naming a starting QB, per OC Ryan Grubb
While Ryan Grubb didn't tip his hand about who is leading the QB competition, he did say on Monday that Alabama was getting close to making a decision. The second and final scrimmage of fall camp is on Thursday, and it has a chance to be the deciding day for Austin Mack and Keelon Russell.
Grubb said he anticipates a decision being made early next week. The consensus is that Russell is in the lead, and he could seal the deal on Thursday with another strong performance. Mack has some ground to make up, but isn't out of it.
Ryan Grubb praises freshman RB Trae'shawn Brown
While all the hype and attention in the freshman class has been on 5-star EJ Crowell, another newcomer at RB has stolen the spotlight since he stepped on campus. With Crowell dealing with nagging injuries in both the spring and fall, fellow freshman Trae'shawn Brown has taken center stage.
Brown has positioned himself for a major role in year one. He's got the skill set to be a difference-maker, and Grubb spoke on Monday about one overlooked part of his game that will aid in his ability to earn snaps:
"Much better pass protector than people would think," Grubb said. "They think because he’s short, but he plays down the middle of defenders; he’s got good feet, and he’s a smart kid. Impressive young player.”
Alabama's offensive line is showing signs of progress in Week 3 of fall camp
The Alabama offensive line may have turned the corner. After what was an up-and-down performance during last Thursday's scrimmage, Grubb noted that Alabama's offensive line has stacked good days in the aftermath.
"I thought they gelled really, really well today and ran the ball really well. Probably the best we have all camp, honestly," Grubb said on Monday.
That followed praise from Joe Moore Award voter and former NFL offensive lineman Aaron Taylor, who praised new OL coach Adrian Klemm and noted that he believed the Crimson Tide would be able to run the football more effectively this season.
"Alabama will be able to run the football this year, full stop," Taylor said. "That’s the headline. The improvements year over year for what I saw in this unit after just watching them live for 2 hours with my own eyes is night and day."
2 freshman defenders are set for roles on Kane Wommack's defense
Speaking after practice on Tuesday, defensive coordinator Kane Wommack made note that two Tide freshmen are set for roles in year one.
The biggest role will likely be for LB Xavier Griffin. Wommack noted that Alabama is "getting him ready to play," and he's split time off the edge and with the off-ball linebackers. His quickest path to playing time as a freshman is likely off the edge as a pass-rusher in specialty packages.
That could be a similar path for safety Jireh Edwards, who faces an uphill battle in a crowded room. Wommack noted Edwards' ability to blitz and his IQ on Tuesday. He made sure to note that Edwards will play, but how much will be determined by how the rest of his game develops.
Alabama is ranked No. 13 in the preseason AP Poll
The No. 13 ranking is the lowest preseason ranking for Alabama football since 2008. It's also two spots lower than where they were ranked in the Coaches Poll.
That's just added motivation for Kalen DeBoer to utilize in the final couple of weeks of fall camp before the season gets started.
At least three teams ahead of the Crimson Tide are wildly overrated.
Bray Hubbard named to preseason AP All American 1st team
Senior Bray Hubbard was named to the preseason AP All-American 1st team at safety on Tuesday. He's set to be a real difference-maker for the Crimson Tide this season. He'll almost certainly be named a captain in the coming weeks, and he's likely to play an even more versatile role on defense. He'll start at safety, but likely shift down to linebacker in some sub-packages so Alabama can get other talented players on the field in the back end.
Hubbard was the lone Alabama representative on the first team, but junior CB Zabien Brown earned second-team honors heading into year three in Tuscaloosa. Brown is one of the top corners in the country, and he's on the path to a big season that could culminate in being a first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
Former Alabama RB Najee Harris signs one-year deal with the New York Giants
After a productive start to his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he eclipsed 1000 yards in four consecutive seasons, Najee Harris joined the Los Angeles Chargers last season on a one-year deal. Unfortunately, he tore his Achilles early in the season, knocking him out for the remainder of the year and putting his NFL future in doubt.
With the season quickly approaching, Harris was without a team until this week. On Tuesday, the former Tide star signed a one-year deal with the New York Giants in what could be his last chance in the NFL.
If he doesn't produce in New York, Harris' professional career could end sooner than he hoped.
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