Five Takeaways from Alabama Football’s 2024 A-Day Game

Alabama concluded its 15-practice spring season on Saturday with the 2024 A-Day Game. The offense prevailed over the defense, 34-28, in a new format and scoring system. As the Crimson Tide’s focus begins to shift to the offseason, we look back at the final scrimmage.

Strong day on the ground

A lot of eyes were on the quarterbacks, and rightfully so. Jalen Milroe is back after starting 13 games last year, but the room, as a whole, is strong with Ty Simpson and Dylan Lonergan also returning and Austin Mack transferring from Washington. But no quarterback attempted more than 12 passes, and the quartet combined to throw for 302 yards, zero touchdowns and zero interceptions on 24-42 passing. It wasn’t a bad day for the Alabama passing game, but it was overshadowed by a strong showing on the ground by the running backs.

Jamarion Miller led the group with 83 yards and two touchdowns on just eight carries. He also had the second-longest offensive play of the day with a 48-yard run. Richard Young had a solid performance, too, with 29 yards and a touchdown on seven carries. Justice Haynes started the scrimmage and didn’t play much as it progressed, but he still crossed the goal line for the day’s first touchdown. Even wide receiver Kendrick Law got in on the action with a 34-yard run. The group averaged 4.9 yards per carry to cap a productive spring season.

“I thought they did a better job of when they saw a hole today, they hit it, especially early on,” head coach Kalen DeBoer said. “There were some seams and they’re not dancing, which means they’re getting more and more comfortable with the schemes and trusting the offensive line. There were a couple more tackles broken, which goes both ways.”

Response from the defense

It looked like the offense was going to cruise to a steak dinner after taking a 31-0 lead, but the defense woke up and started to get off the field. With the new scoring system, the defense was awarded three points every time it forced a three-and-out, and after falling behind by 30-plus points, it forced five straight three-and-outs. Outside of an Upton Bellenfant field goal, the Tide defense didn’t allow the offense to do much else after the fifth possession.

The Crimson team forced three more three-and-outs, picked up two points from a missed field goal by Conor Talty on drive No. 14 and then another two points on punt to end the game. There were no turnovers in the scrimmage, which crushed my bold prediction from Friday. Otherwise, the defense would have been victorious – takeaways were worth seven points. As DeBoer said, the way the defense responded was reminiscent of the Avery Johnson days.

“Shoot, if it was a half, it would have been a tale of two halves, but that’s why you keep playing,” DeBoer said. “So many things that we’re gonna get to learn from this scrimmage, depending on what side of the ball you’re on.”

Several new guys stood out

Saturday was our fourth opportunity to watch the team this spring but our most extended look after three media viewing periods of practice. Some of what we saw from the newcomers lined up with what we’ve heard throughout the spring. Washington wide receiver Germie Bernard is expected to be an immediate contributor, and the A-Day Game showed why. He caught just three passes for 122 yards with a long reception of 52 yards. Not only did Bernard pick up yards after the catch, he also hauled in catches while absorbing hits from the defense. 

Bernard was one of several receivers that stood out, along with Cole Adams, Emmanuel Henderson and even Caleb Odom. As for the defensive side of the ball, a freshman led the team in tackles, as inside linebacker Justin Okoronkwo seemed to be everywhere. With Jihaad Campbell not scrimmaging due to a minor injury, Okoronkwo stepped into a second-team role beside Jeremiah Alexander. He made the most of his time on the field with 11 tackles. He flew to the ball like a lot of younger guys, including Bray Hubbard and Red Morgan.

Alabama not at full strength

Several players we should see on the field this fall were either limited or didn’t play at all in the final practice of the spring. Campbell and Jehiem Oatis didn’t practice during the media viewing portion of Tuesday’s practice and while Oatis was in uniform for pregame warmups, neither of the third-year defensive players took the field to help the Crimson team defense.

“They’re doing good,” DeBoer said. “… If we had another week of spring ball, by the end of next week – I’m not the one that clears them, but I think they’d probably be really close to being ready to go. You just want to be careful and not push it. We don’t want to set them back, and they’re right on pace. They’re right where we expected them to be based on what they each had, which were completely different types of injuries.”

In addition to the defensive duo, Alabama was without center Parker Brailsford, who has dealt with some non-football things throughout the spring. Although Jaeden Roberts suited up and started the game, he and Miles McVay have both been limited during practice. Freshman Casey Poe exited the game and was later seen with his arm in a sling. Haynes didn’t play much after the start of the scrimmage. Safety Tony Mitchell has practiced with a hamstring support this spring. Wide receiver Jalen Hale remains out following a significant knee injury.

Kicking battle continues

Alabama used three kickers on Saturday – Talty, who is on scholarship, and a pair of walk-ons, Bellenfant and Reid Schuback. All three players were given opportunities to kick off and boot extra points, and they all three attempted field goals in the scrimmage. Schuback and Bellenfant each made their kicks, which were both from 27 yards out, while Talty missed a long try of 46 yards. That backed up DeBoer’s competition comments from earlier this spring.

Now, 46 yards isn’t a chipshot. Sources have said that Talty was the most consistent of the trio in the second scrimmage last week, especially from 35 yards and in. But once past that point, the misses start to show up. Alabama had a strong five-year stretch with Will Reichard filling the placekicker role and setting the NCAA record for career points before running out of eligibility. While Talty is the only scholarship kicker on the Tide’s 2024 roster, it sounds like the fight to be Reichard’s replacement will continue into preseason practice in August.

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