Five Crimson Tide Players to Watch for in A-Day Game

While all eyes will be on the quarterback battle, here are some other names to keep an eye on when the Crimson and White teams square off inside Bryant-Denny Stadium this Saturday.

It has been a long spring with limited access to the Crimson Tide, but fans and media alike can relish the opportunity to see the 2023 squad for the first time in Bryant-Denny Stadium this weekend when the Crimson and White teams square off against each other. 

There is little doubt that the top item of interest for this Saturday's A-Day game will be the quarterback battle between Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson. Who takes more snaps with the first team offense? Who plays better? And ultimately, who will be the starting quarterback for Alabama this fall?

Of course there are other familiar fan favorites like Jase McClellan or Kool-Aid McKinstry or Will Reichard that will be participating in the scrimmage, but Saturday also provides the first chance to see how well some of Alabama's star freshmen or transfer portal products are adjusting to the Crimson Tide after their first spring, as well as the improvements and strides some veteran players have made since last season. 

Throughout the spring, the buzz continues to grow around some players' names from both of those categories. This doesn't mean they are under-the-radar. In fact, you could argue the exact opposite. Here are five of those players to watch out for in A-Day that could be having big seasons for the Crimson Tide for the first time in 2023:

Caleb Downs- S

Alabama Athletics

Nick Saban brings in top talent year after year, and the 2023 recruiting class is no exception. The highest-ranked player in that class is safety Caleb Downs, and before he's even taken his first official snap in an Alabama uniform, the freshman has been living up to the hype according to sources.

Safety can be a very challenging position to play as a freshman, having to learn to make the calls on the back end of the defense, but Downs has been taking reps with the first team throughout the spring and could very well win the starting safety job, especially with Alabama losing Jordan Battle and DeMarcco Hellams to the NFL 

Downs already has the physical build of an SEC starter at 6-foot, 203 pounds, and Saban has spoken highly of the freshman defensive back along with his teammates. 

"Caleb is still a young guy, and I feel like the impact that he has made has been tremendous,” fellow Alabama defensive back Terrion Arnold said. “Coming in as a freshman with all the accolades that he has, I feel like he’s a real good humble guy. He really took it and really ran with it. I feel like he’s a really good player.

Jamil Burroughs- DL

Alabama Athletics

This will be the redshirt junior's fourth season with the Crimson Tide, so Jamil Burroughs is no stranger around Tuscaloosa, but has played mostly in a rotational role the last three seasons. However, he defensive linemen seems to really be finding some comfortability in the defense this spring. 

"Jamil Burroughs is one of the best pass rushers in the nation," Alabama offensive lineman Tyler Booker said. "I'm excited for him to go out and show it this year. Jamil is so quick and he's very smart as well."

Last season, Burroughs played in 11 games and had eight tackles, including two for loss and one sack. Expect to see Burroughs player a bigger role up fron for the Alabama defense this season. 

Justice Haynes- RB

Alabama Athletics

Few players have received more hype throughout the spring than Justice Haynes. The son of former Georgia and NFL running back Vernon Haynes, Justice was a major win on the recruiting trail for the Crimson Tide, and he's already making an impact in his early weeks in Tuscaloosa. 

Saban has been high on all the running backs this spring, but hasn't shied away from praising the early enrollee. 

"Justice has had a great spring," Saban said after Alabama's second scrimmage. "He’s a really good player. He’s a really mature guy. He’s really smart. Nothing’s really too big for him. He goes out there and competes, and if you are just a guy sitting on a log watching, you would never know he’s a freshman. So he's a very talented guy. He can make cuts. He can make you miss. He's got some power, good speed. He's a good receiver."

With four scholarship running backs available this spring, it will be interesting to see how they are divided among the two rosters in the A-Day scrimmage, but whichever side Haynes is on will have a major weapon in the backfield. 

Malik Benson- WR

Alabama Athletics

Malik Benson was the highest-rated junior college transfer this offseason. He has been practicing with the team since the Sugar Bowl and has been drawing rave reviews from teammates ever since. 

In two seasons at Hutchinson Community College, Benson had 2152 yards and 21 touchdowns. His speed brings a different element to the Alabama offense

"Benson’s had a really, really good spring and is capable of stretching the field and making big plays," Saban said. "Good all-around player. He certainly is going to help us."

Alabama struggled to have a consistent deep ball threat at receiver last year on offense, and Benson could be the answer for the Crimson Tide this season and should be a fun player to watch for the first time in an Alabama uniform this Saturday. 

CJ Dippre- TE

Alabama Athletics

With Cameron Latu graduating, Alabama is left with a major hole at tight end. Transfer CJ Dippre could be the answer at that spot.

Last season at Maryland, Dippre had 30 catches for 314 yards and three touchdowns, very similar to Latu's stats (30 catches, 377 yards, four touchdowns) for Alabama. Outside of Latu, no Crimson Tide tight end had more than four catches last year. 

Tight ends are one of Saban's favorite mismatches on the field, and new offensive coordinator Tommy Rees had one of the best tight ends in all of college football last season at Notre Dame in Michael Mayer. Dippre is a name to keep an eye on for offensive production this year for the Crimson Tide. 

"CJ’s done a really good job," Saban said. "He was having a little ankle sprain or foot sprain or something for a while and missed a little bit, but I think he’s gonna be a good player for us. He’s a good competitor. He can do all three things you want him to do at tight end, whether it’s playing the C area, be an H-back type of blocker or split out and be a good receiver. We’re excited about him and the contribution he can make.

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