Player competition at certain positions will not end on Saturday. The second scrimmage will provide clarity for the Alabama Football staff, but for at least the first three actual games, some starter and key backup roles will be fluid.
In rotational position groups, especially on the defensive side of the ball, snaps earned are as important as earning a starter role. At running back, more important than RB2 behind Jam Miller, is how many running backs can be given meaningful snaps.
It is also possible that rotation will be a given throughout the season at the Husky position and at both offensive guard slots. DaShawn Jones and Cam Calhoun don't have much separation yet at Husky, with Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. not far behind. It is believed the offensive line will be fine with any of the three guards, Jaeden Roberts, Kam Dewberry, and Geno VanDeMark.
There are two positions from which clarity cannot happen too soon. One is at Punter, which is not a good position for rotation. Either Blake Doud or Alex Asparuhov needs to take charge as the guy. Alabama football fans have some concern about Conor Talty at placekicker, but the staff has shown no indication of naming someone else the starter.
Alabama Football needs more QB clarity
Another position needs a different kind of clarity. It is the QB2 backup to Ty Simpson. Austin Mack and Keelon Russell can compete all season for that role, but one of them has to be capable of stepping into the QB1 role at any time. The overused 'one play away' is overused because it perfectly defines the importance of a QB2. The Crimson Tide cannot provide enough practice snaps with the first offensive unit for more than two guys. On paper, the opening week depth chart will likely have Mack 'Or' Russell at QB2. It will be tricky for the staff to manage, but the designation of one QB2 may be delayed for weeks.
Alabama Football OC, Ryan Grubb, spoke about the Tide's backups to Simpson, "Young quarterbacks that are really talented like Austin and Keelon, what we don’t want is that the starter is named and all this improvement that they’ve been making to this point just comes to a screeching halt. That part they totally understood. I know they’re up to the task, and I think a huge part of that are the relationships, the bond that’s been built in that room."