Alabama returns to the football field this weekend in the 2024 spring game. Here’s what you should watch for as the Crimson Tide kicks off the A-Day Game.
Nick Saban is out, and Kalen DeBoer is in as Alabama embarks on arguably the single most consequential coaching change in college football history. The seven-time national champion retired from the game and in his place the Crimson Tide brought one of the game’s most successful offensive minds and program builders.
Now he tries his luck in college football’s premier conference and at the nation’s most successful program. How far along is DeBoer’s effort to remake Alabama in his image? This weekend finds the Tide back on the football field to put a bow on spring practice with the annual A-Day Game. Here’s what you should be watching for on Saturday.
When: Sat., April 13
Time: 3 p.m. Central
TV: ESPN network
Related: Alabama Football Schedule 2024
Jermaine Burton is in the draft while Isaiah Bond and tight end Amari Niblack both transferred to Texas. In order for DeBoer’s offense to work, he needs receivers, but Alabama’s cupboard is relatively empty compared to other years.
Kobe Prentice is the team’s top returner, and Washington transfer Germie Bernard comes over, but otherwise there’s a lot of production to replenish. True freshman Ryan Williams has a chance to make an immediate impact and prove he deserves important snaps right away.
Malachi Moore returns at safety for the Tide, and a pair of transfers — Domani Jackson from USC and Keon Sabb from Michigan at corner and safety, respectively — but otherwise, there’s plenty of youth and inexperience to sort out on the back end of this defense.
The spring game gives DeBoer and his coaches a chance to test out any combination of personnel to unearth some early clues about what this secondary will look like Week 1.
Saban built Alabama’s dynasty around suffocating defensive play, but DeBoer’s teams have not been known for their defenses. Good thing, then, that Alabama returns some very promising depth in the front seven: Tim Keenan, LT Overton, Damon Payne, James Smith, and Tim Smith, among others.
Deontae Lawson and Jihaad Campbell return at linebacker, while Keanu Koht and Quandarrius Robinson project as solid edge rushing options to build out from, a position group that has earned positive reviews this spring. Alabama needs to get things right defensively early on while DeBoer builds his offense.
Going against that promising pass rush, Alabama wants to thoroughly test its blocking prowess, especially on the edges. Kadyn Proctor, who transferred to Iowa after Saban’s retirement, is expected to come back for the fall, and Washington transfer Parker Brailsford is expected to contend for a starting role, though he won’t play in the spring game for personal reasons.
That leaves plenty of opportunity for the likes of Elijah Pritchett and Wilkin Formby to get first-team reps, while Miles McVay and Naquil Betrand are expected to play with the backups. Alabama struggled protecting the quarterback at times, so finding the right combination early will be critical.
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