Tomorrow is Alabama's first of two fall camp scrimmages, and one that should bring some answers to a few burning questions from fall camp that have yet to shake out. Scrimmages are the best opportunities for players to make moves in position battles in a game-like setting.
After next Saturday's second scrimmage of camp, the Crimson Tide will dive head-first into preparation for the opener in Tallahassee against Florida State with just two weeks separating the final scrimmage and the game.
That makes the next week of fall camp and the two scrimmages vitally important. Kalen DeBoer and the coaching staff would like to find answers to a few questions over the next eight days to ensure the right players are getting the right reps before the season begins.
5 burning questions facing Kalen DeBoer, Alabama, ahead of the first fall camp scrimmage
1. Can Austin Mack or Keelon Russell mount a serious challenge to Ty Simpson in the QB battle?
With almost two full weeks of practice down, the status quo remains unchanged in Alabama's QB competition. Ty Simpson seems to have a stranglehold on the competition. Comments by Ryan Grubb further elucidated that point this week when he stated that while all QBs were getting some first-team reps, Simpson was the only of the three who wasn't repping with the third-team.
Saturday brings the first real opportunity for either Austin Mack or Keelon Russell to announce themselves as serious challengers for the position. Mack seems like he's still ahead of Russell in the QB2 slot, but I suspect it's only a matter of time before that changes. Russell's raw ability is eye-opening, and even if he doesn't overtake Simpson for the starting job in the preseason, he's going to cause Simpson to consistently be looking over his shoulder all year long as he progresses more and more.
That's a good thing. Competition tends to bring out the best in players, and Russell will ensure that Simpson never gets too comfortable.
2. What will be the pecking order of the RBs behind Jam Miller?
Everyone knows Jam Miller is RB1 for Alabama this year, but there's a lot of competition for carries in the Tide's backfield. According to Grubb, the who could change week-over-week depending on the game plan, but he envisions there being a significant role for three running backs each game.
With Miller guaranteed to be one, Richard Young, Daniel Hill, and Louisiana transfer Dre Washington seem to be the most significant challengers for carries. Grubb did mention freshman RB AK Dear by name this week, however, shouting out the growth he has seen in the freshman since spring practice.
The current pecking order would suggest that Young is RB2, with Hill and Washington duking it out for the RB3 slot. They both bring different dynamics, so their roles could ultimately prove to be inconsistent throughout the season.
3. Is Jaeden Roberts really not going to start at RG?
Alabama made a surprising change to the first-team offensive line during practice this week. Most expected the only competition up front to be for the LG position, with the versatile Geno VanDeMark competing with Texas A&M transfer Kam Dewberry for Tyler Booker's spot.
However, things changed this week with Dewberry repping with the first team at LG, and VanDeMark spending the week repping with the first team at RG, relegating returning starter Jaeden Roberts to the second team. Roberts was recently one of three Tide offensive linemen named to the Outland Trophy preseason watchlist, and his spot up front never seemed to be in question.
It's important to remember, however, that Roberts spent a lot of last season in a timeshare at RG with VanDeMark. Most assumed that was due to the various nagging injuries Roberts dealt with, and at full strength, he would be the obvious starter at right guard.
Saturday's scrimmage will likely bring more clarity to the position. It's possible DeBoer plans on getting playing time for all three guards. It's also possible that they are just ensuring VanDeMark gets first team reps at all three interior spots up front because, regardless of the outcome of the camp battles, he'll be the primary backup at guard and center in case of injury.
4. Is Deontae Lawson healthy enough to be a difference-maker?
Fifth-year senior Deontae Lawson is undoubtedly one of the leaders of this year's team again, but it remains to be seen how impactful he will be on the field. Lawson suffered a devastating knee injury last November against Oklahoma and is still working his way back to full strength.
He has looked solid in camp, per reports, but in some practice videos, it has been obvious that he still isn't 100%. If he's slowed at the start of the season, defensive coordinator Kane Wommack has the luxury of two experienced linebackers to fill the void.
Seniors Justin Jefferson and Nikhai Hill-Green are fully capable of handling the responsibilities in the middle if Lawson takes some time to get back to where he was.
5. Can Dre Kirkpatrick Jr., Cam Calhoun, or another unseat DaShawn Jones at Husky?
The only real competition ongoing for a starting role in Alabama's secondary is at the Husky position. Corners Domani Jackson and Zabien Brown, along with safeties Keon Sabb and Bray Hubbard, are entrenched in their starting spots.
And while DaShawn Jones is leading the way at Husky, he will have to hold off at least two serious challengers. Second-year DB Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. brings more of a physicality to the role as a safety, but might lack a bit in coverage in comparison to Jones.
Wommack and DB coach Maurice Linguist are cross-training Utah transfer Cam Calhoun at Husky, as well. He's splitting his time there and at corner as he works to carve out a role in the Tide's loaded secondary. He figures to be the top backup at CB in case of an injury to Brown or Jackson - and we all know Wommack is comfortable rotating DBs, so he's likely to play regardless - but the staff obviously likes the potential of what he can bring to the position.
Another player to keep an eye on for that role is 5-star freshman Dijon Lee. He hasn't repped there yet in fall camp, but he seems like a natural fit with his size and coverage ability.