On a sunny and pleasant early spring, Tuesday afternoon, Alabama Football beat reporters put their eyes on a Crimson Tide practice in Tuscaloosa. In recent seasons media viewing was only available during select bowl game practices. Media viewing periods had not happened in Tuscaloosa since August of 2021.
The media viewing area is inside the 20-yard line on one practice field and well behind the endzone of the other practice field. Sharp eyes and long, camera lenses were needed during some of the practice periods.
How could you not be energized at Alabama football practice? pic.twitter.com/Poz7peRFgo
— Joe Gaither (@JoeGaither6) March 6, 2024
Check out video of practice action in the tweet below, provided by Arielle Schafer of CBS-42.
WATCH| Some sights and sounds from #Alabama Football practice...
— Arielle Schafer (@arielle_schafer) March 6, 2024
More tonight on @CBS_42 | #RollTide pic.twitter.com/pB2sEgdXj8
Wednesday was practice No. 2 of Spring Camp. It is too early for any conclusions other than that the practice was fast-paced and coaches were vocal, above a nearly constant music background. There was some buzz Wednesday night that is included below, but it comes from a 30-minute snapshot of a new Alabama Crimson Tide in its just second day of fieldwork. Much will change in the coming weeks and months.
- The Day-2 offensive line first group had James Brockermeyer at center and Wilkin Formby at right tackle. Brockermeyer might not hold off Washington transfer, Parker Brailsford for long, but a strong message from Brailsford with the second group is, like under Nick Saban, nothing is given and all must be earned.
- It is too early to talk starting cornerbacks, but based on Wednesday, the leaders appear to be USC transfer Domani Jackson and redshirt freshman Jahlil Hurley.
- Wednesday's viewing period indicated redshirt freshman outside linebacker Keon Keeley may move to defensive end.
- Speaking of Alabama Crimson Tide linebackers, Deontae Lawson and Jihaad Campbell have changed numbers. Campbell is No. 11 and Lawson is No. 0. Check out the short video of Lawson below. It could well be a snippet of the best inside linebacker in college football.
For the first time in the Alabama Football program history, a player will wear #0. It's redshirt junior linebacker Deontae Lawson, who is entering 2024 as one of the best linebackers in college football.@CWsports pic.twitter.com/drB209bpq5
— Henry Sklar (@HenryOSklar) March 6, 2024
- One more item of note. As reported by Alabama Football News, 5-Star, cornerback and Ohio State commit, Na'eem Offord visited the Crimson Tide practice.
There are two more planned media viewing sessions during the Crimson Tide's Spring Camp, leading up to the A-Day Game on Apr. 13.