Alabama Fall Camp Battle + Player Making a Leap, Day 11

Each day of the fall camp media viewing periods, we will look at a battle for a position or role on the Alabama football team along with a player who is making a leap. Most players improve year-to-year but you are always hopeful some critical players are making a big leap forward in their development. Fall camp is the time to do it.

Alabama Fall Camp Battle

Watching the defensive line today, I took a long look at Alabama’s new bandit position. Jah-Marien Latham continues to head that line, followed closely by LT Overton. The depth is redshirt freshmen, Jordan Renaud and Keon Keeley.

Latham is a veteran of the program. He’s actually in his fifth season at Alabama. He played in the 2021 National Championship Game and he’s still here. He was actually on the team in 2020 but redshirted.

He’s seen quite a bit of game action and is a nice fit in this new position. But he’s battling LT Overton and LT has been one of Fall Camp’s stories. By all accounts, he was very good in the scrimmage on Saturday. We know what kind of pedigree has … this is a kid who, at one time, was the #1 player nationally in his class.

LT’s specialty is pass rush. Latham’s specialty is setting the edge. Ya’ll see what I am getting at here? You can’t help but wonder … will these two form a platoon of sorts? With Latham playing on run downs, Overton playing in the pass rush situations? Or will they simply continue to battle it out for snap share?

Let’s not forget Renaud and Keeley. Both have a ton of pass rush upside. They seem like ideal third-down players, too.

It is a great situation for Alabama. You have your edge setter, you have your pass rusher. Both are older kids who have played in SEC football games. Renaud and Keeley are then free to develop at their own pace.

Player Making a Leap

Typically, a candidate for players making large leaps forward in their development are Year 2 guys. It’s not a cliche, it makes sense that you make your biggest jump from year 1 to year 2. The first year is for learning, adjusting, weight room time. The second year is about getting on the field and making an impact.

Sticking with the defensive line, an excellent candidate for a big leap forward in his development this season is interior defensive lineman, James Smith. The highly touted prospect from Carver-Montgomery showed up with five stars. He did play with the 1s, in the games, at times. (Does anyone recall he recovered a fumble in the USF game?) He wasn’t splashy but he did flash his high-end ability, at times.

Now is the time to make a leap forward. It’s a crowded position. He has to fight for snap share with veterans like Tim Keenan and Tim Smith. Other proven players like Jeheim Oatis and Damon Payne will play snaps, too. But look for James to start displaying his Sunday upside.

On the practice field, he often looks to be the quickest of the interior lineman. He plays with great power. He is just not a big body, this is an impressive athlete. From here, it’s about positive development and making strides.

He is a candidate to make a big leap in 2024.

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