Non-QB position groups of interest for Alabama’s second scrimmage

Two weeks of preseason camp are in the books for Alabama, and the Crimson Tide will return to Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday for its second and final scrimmage before the start of a new season. Questions still surround this year’s Alabama team, with quarterback being the obvious as a starter has yet to emerge. But today, we give other groups some love, taking a look at five non-QB positions of interest for UA’s last scrimmage before the season opener.

Offensive line

Entering preseason practice No. 14, three players seem to have locked down starting roles – JC Latham at right tackle, Seth McLaughlin at center and Tyler Booker at either right or left guard. It appears as though Booker has spent time on the left side of late to work in tandem with 5-star freshman Kadyn Proctor, who opened last week’s scrimmage with the first-team offense. Proctor is battling Elijah Pritchett for that left tackle job, while the guard spot not occupied by Booker has Darrian Dalcourt and Terrence Ferguson competing for it. Those are most likely the 6-7 linemen head coach Nick Saban was referring to when he has been asked about this position group, but he wants to see others emerge here, as well, to provide depth for the season.

“I just think we need to get more guys on the offensive line to be able to play winning football, and we need to add depth to the group,” Saban said last week. “We’ve got maybe 6-7 guys that I think can play, but we need a lot more than that to get through the season.”

Players to watch: Darrian Dalcourt, Terrence Ferguson, Elijah Pritchett, Kadyn Proctor

Wide receiver

Receiver isn’t a position with a ton of question marks from a personnel standpoint. Alabama’s top two pass-catchers are back from last year’s team, as are the trio of then-freshmen that all made impacts in their first seasons, and the Tide added the nation’s top junior college transfer in Malik Benson. But much like we saw in the spring game, the UA receiving corps has struggled with drops this preseason, at least in last week’s first scrimmage. This is a position group that has plenty of talent, but consistency has been an issue for this group since last season. A lot of the focus will be on the quarterback position, and rightfully so, but how the passing game as a whole improves from scrimmage No. 1 to 2 is a development of interest for us.

“We made some good plays today, too,” Saban said. “I think we had some guys make really good catches. I think the quarterbacks made some really good throws at times. But what is the level of consistency? If you’re a receiver, why do they call you a receiver? You’re supposed to be able to catch the ball, right? I mean, that’s what receiver means. So you should never drop a ball, and that’s something that we’ve gotta stay focused on.”

Players to watch: Jermaine Burton, Isaiah Bond, Malik Benson, Kendrick Law

Defensive line

After last week’s scrimmage, Saban was complimentary of a couple of players. He said both Jaheim Oatis and Justin Eboigbe had had good fall camps up to that point but wanted to see more from the rest of the group. He also mentioned Tim Smith, a senior, as someone that has been up and down this preseason, which was a bit of a surprise given Smith has started games for Alabama in the past and is expected to again play a pivotal role along the defensive line. A lot like the offensive line, too, some of the Tide’s less experienced players need to step up to provide quality depth in the trenches. Tomorrow’s scrimmage could be an opportunity for some of Alabama’s younger players to solidify spots within the D-line rotation.

“I think we have 5-6 guys that are playing pretty well,” Saban said. “Again, the same old thing, we need more people to be able to go out there and play consistently the way you need to play to play winning football because that’s probably not enough. … Everybody’s got something that they need to work on, and that’s really what we’re focused on right now.”

Players to watch: Tim Smith, Jah-Marien Latham, Damon Payne, James Smith

Inside linebacker

When Saban was asked about the inside linebacker position after the first preseason practice, he mentioned two players by name – Deontae Lawson, who started four games last year as a redshirt freshman, and Jihaad Campbell. As an experienced returner, Lawson is expected to be in Alabama’s starting lineup for Game 1, leaving one spot up for grabs. Campbell seems to be the top option to serve as his running mate in the middle of the Tide defense, but competition is still present with players like Trezmen Marshall, the Georgia transfer, still in the hunt. It could be that multiple players man the middle linebacker spots in Alabama’s defense this fall, but a guy is to seize the role for himself, Saturday’s scrimmage could be a time for separation.

“I think that we need to continue to improve,” Saban said. “I think we got a couple of guys that are playing really well. I think we need to get more guys to play well at that position. So it’s a work in progress for some of the guys, but I’m also pleased with the way some guys are progressing, and we’ll just have to continue to work on that group as a whole to get more and more guys who can contribute in a positive way.”

Players to watch: Jihaad Campbell, Trezmen Marshall, Shawn Murphy

Safety

The secondary as a whole is a group of interest, simply because Alabama has so many options to choose from when trying to find the best 5-6 defensive backs to put on the field. But looking at the safety room specifically, there are five players worth mentioning for the two spots in the back end of the Crimson Tide’s defense. Malachi Moore is one, but the veteran has spent more time at Star of late. Caleb Downs is another, and the freshman appears set to make an impact. Assuming Downs fills one spot, that leaves the other up for grabs for transfer Jaylen Key and returners DeVonta Smith and Kristian Story. Smith was a popular name early in camp, but Key was first up in last week’s scrimmage. We’ll see if things change on Saturday.

“We’ve got guys rolling all over the place,” Saban said. “It does sort of sometimes affect the repetitions that a guy gets at a certain position, but I think it’s important that guys have a background and a basic knowledge of information so if we get guys injured during the season, we can move guys around and have a chance to get the best people on the field. It’s the same thing in the offensive line. Guys gotta be able to play multiple positions.”

Players to watch: Jaylen Key, DeVonta Smith, Kristian Story

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