Previewing the Alabama Crimson Tide’s 2023 A-Day Game
The end of spring football is upon us as Saturday's A-Day Scrimmage Game between the Crimson and White teams of Alabama football conclude the team's spring practice season on Saturday afternoon.
This year, a lot of changes have happened at both the coaching and player levels for the Crimson Tide. Two new coaches in offensive coordinator Tommy Rees and defensive coordinator Kevin Steele headline the coaching changes while key player departures in Bryce Young, Jahmyr Gibbs, Will Anderson Jr., Henry To'oTo'o, Jordan Battle, Brian Branch and others signal a changing of the guard in Tuscaloosa, Ala..
The spring is a time of rebirth and change around the world, and the same can be said about Alabama football. During his final press conference ahead of the game on Thursday, head coach Nick Saban believes that the team has taken significant steps to improve this spring season.
"All in all, I think spring practices, we’ve made a lot of progress," Saban said. "We’ve had an opportunity to get a lot of guys a lot of reps. Most everybody has made some progress — some guys more than others — but there’s a lot of challenges in the spring.
"There’s a lot of opportunity for guys to show they can overcome adversity. They can compete and play even when things don’t go the way they want them to. A-Day is an opportunity for that to happen."
Saban then went on to detail how the Crimson Team and White Team are divided up as to not cause confusion and allow fans to make assumptions that each team is strictly composed of the first-team offense and first-team defense.
"We split up the squads in A-Day so we get maximum reps for most of the players, which does not really mean the entire first team is on one team and the entire first team is on the other team," Saban said. "It means if we have certain guys at certain positions, we can manipulate them around to get reps for those guys by playing more of the game because we split the squads up that way, then that’s the way we do it. We have where we try to play the first teams against the first teams and the second teams so it’s a competitive game."
A-Day provides both the media and fans alike a first look at both new coordinators and the players stepping up to replace the star-power that departed the program this offseason. There are a lot of big shoes to fill, but there is plenty of depth on this Alabama team to make up for it.
At the end of it all, Saban doesn't want the team to forget what they're playing for: the prestigious steak dinner at the annual Steak and Beans dinner at the athletic facility.
"You got your team for steak on Monday, or you got your team for beans and paper plates and plastic forks and spoons?" Saban said. "You want a tablecloth? You want a steak? You want a baked potato? You want a dessert? You’ve got to win. That’s what’s at stake here."
Without further ado, let's take a look at what fans should be watching out for as the Crimson Team and White Team face each other on the gridiron.
Offense Preview
There's a lot to watch for on both sides of the line of scrimmage this year, but let's start with the offense.
The quarterback battle needs to introduction. After the departure of Heisman Trophy-winner Bryce Young following last season, the Crimson Tide has been in search of its new signal caller. A-Day this season will give both fans and media alike their first look at Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson on the field since the Sugar Bowl, and both quarterbacks seem to have impressed so far this spring.
Milroe has the obvious edge due to his experience — he was Alabama's go-to quarterback during Young's injury at Arkansas last year and even earned a start against Texas A&M — but Simpson has been notably impressive this offseason as well. Saturday will also show us new offensive coordinator Tommy Rees and his workings with the Crimson Tide. With Rees being a former quarterback himself, it will be interesting to see how he works with the two players on the field.
The offensive line returns a lot of talent, but there are some that will be more interesting to watch than others on A-Day. Chiefly among the lineman is Elijah Pritchett.
“He’s done a good job,” Saban said earlier in the spring. “Elijah’s getting better. I think he’s one of those guys that’s a young guy that needs to be able to sustain his intensity, not get penalties, do the little things right.
"But he has done a really, really good job this spring. He’s played well. He’s made a lot of progress and improvement and he’s really competing hard for a position as a starter.”
Pritchett and JC Latham have been handling the tackle spots while Tyler Booker has been playing at right guard. At left guard and center, the trio of Darrian Dalcourt, Terrence Ferguson and Seth McLaughlin have been rotation. From what sources have said, Pritchett has been playing well at left tackle throughout the spring and while he is the least-experienced potential starter he could still make an impact this season.
The tight end position will be one to watch for in general and not just any one player in particular. Amari Niblack has been a player praised by Saban during the spring and sources that attended both of Alabama's closed scrimmage have said that he has lived up to Saban's praises. Saturday will also provide fans with their first opportunity to see Maryland transfer CJ Dippre at the position as well. With Cameron Latu now having left for the NFL, the tight end position appears to be in good hands.
Speaking of players leaving for the NFL, running back Jahmyr Gibbs' electric play will be missed by the Crimson Tide this season. However, there are plenty of running backs to make up for his loss. Among the expected heavy contributors like Jase McClellan, Jam Miller and Roydell Williams, Justice Haynes has been a name heard a lot this spring.
“Justice has had a great spring,” Saban said. “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.”
Interesting metaphors aside, Haynes is certainly a player to look out for on the field at A-Day. With four scholarship running backs on its roster this spring, there's no lack of depth at the position. And if Haynes is as good as advertised, it's certainly going to be a crowded room.
The final position group to preview is wide receiver. Alabama returns two key players in Jermaine Burton and Ja'Corey Brooks, both of which are expected to take on the majority of the workload. A-Day isn't about looking at returners that are expected to continue their heavy contributions, though — it's about rising stars. And at wide receiver, Malik Benson fits the bill.
Benson has been generating a lot of positive traction this spring. A JUCO transfer from Hutchinson Community College, Benson can easily be plugged into a Crimson Tide wide receiver group that already has a good bit of experience. However, one new factor that he brings to the table is explosiveness and the ability to make big plays — something that both Burton and Brooks didn't do on a consistent basis last season.
Defensive Preview
Starting with the defensive line, Byron Young and DJ Dale have both moved on — once again providing opportunities to the young players at the position. So far this spring, one of those key young players has been Jamil Burroughs.
Burroughs has been showered with praise from his teammates, including offensive lineman Tyler Booker.
"Jamil Burroughs is one of the best pass rushers in the nation," 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."
That's quite high praise coming from the other side of the trenches.
Moving to the linebackers, Chris Braswell and Dallas turner headline the outside but have been sidelined this spring while recovering from injuries. That has opened the door for the next player to look out for: Jeremiah Alexander. Alexander appeared in four games last season — primarily serving on special teams — but has a legitimate shot at gaining some headway this spring. Keanu Koht, Quandarrius Robinson and Qua Russaw are other players to watch at the position, but keep an eye on Alexander.
At interior linebacker, Saturday will give Alabama fans their first look at Georgia transfer Trezmen Marshall — yet another player complimented by Saban.
"Trez Marshall is doing a really good job," Saban said. "He adds some maturity there. The other guys are coming along. They’re all getting better. They’re competing well. We’re moving them around."
Deontae Lawson has also been out with injury this spring, but he should still be in the starting lineup this spring. Kendrick Blackshire, Jihaad Campbell and Shawn Murphy will all be competing for the other spot along with Marshall, but given Marshall's experience, it's likely his position to lose.
And finally to the defensive backfield.
Caleb Downs has probably gotten more buzz than any other true freshman at Alabama — and with good reason. Three of Alabama's starting safeties from last season have headed to the NFL, giving Downs a perfect opportunity to be a freshman starter — something not incredibly common in the Saban era at Alabama. A former five-star, sources have said that Downs has been a top player on defense in both of the Crimson Tide's closed scrimmages this spring.
“I just think he's the right kind of person," Saban said of Downs back on Early Signing Day. "He's got leadership qualities that are hard to come by, and the guy's really got a lot of talent physically to be able to develop into something special. And we're really looking forward to working with him.”
Kool-Aid McKinstry will be starting at one of the cornerback spots as the most experienced returner this season alongside Terrion Arnold. Star will be an interesting position, though, as multiple corners have been featured at the position this spring. Earl Little II's name has seemingly been brought up the most at the position of slot defensive back. While he's still just a redshirt freshman, Malachi Moore being played at safety and Arnold at corner would likely open up the position for Little. Yet another thing to look for as Alabama takes to the field on Saturday.
See Also:
Five Crimson Tide Players to Watch for in A-Day Game
Things We're Looking for at A-Day: Just a Minute
How to Watch: Alabama Football at the 2023 A-Day Scrimmage Game
