Six on the clock for Saturday’s scrimmage
Outlining six members of the Alabama Crimson Tide of particular interest for Saturday’s scrimmage at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
11 WR Malik Benson
Why he’s on the list: Given his status as one of the top junior college prospects for the 2023 recruiting cycle, a top rotational role was the baseline expectation for Benson in his first year in the program. While there hasn’t been as much Benson-associated buzz in August as there was during spring drills, the opportunity to serve as a playmaking presence on the outside is still there for the taking. Another way of looking at Benson’s insertion into the mix is that it helped spark improvement from others. With a young group from a year ago showing signs of growth, Benson didn’t walk into the situation Tyler Harrell did before him. Ultimately, Benson — and the rest of Holmon Wiggins’ guys — should be better for it.
30 ILB Jihaad Campbell
Why he’s on the list: No shortage of quality competition in the race for the two vacancies at inside linebacker. Along with Deontae Lawson and Georgia transfer Trezmen Marshall, Campbell has maintained a place among the top competitors for one of the spots. A versatile option whose skills set aligns nicely with the nickel and dime packages, Campbell has taken on more of the bulk and strength needed to hold up between the tackles. Between Marshall and Campbell, it could be that UA opens the season with a platoon system similar to what we saw with Lawson and Jaylen Moody a year ago.
74 OT Kadyn Proctor
Why he’s on the list: The door for the tackle spot opposite JC Latham has remained ajar long enough for the massive true freshman to push through. Also, it’s not like five-star rookies haven’t opened seasons at Proctor’s position in the starting lineup. Andre Smith, Cam Robinson and Jonah Williams come to mind pretty quickly. While all three went on to become starters in the NFL, in the case of each during their first seasons in Tuscaloosa, Alabama had a pressing need at left or right tackle. That’s the situation the Crimson Tide currently finds itself in. Entirely ready or not, the time for Proctor might be now.
34 OLB Quandarrius Robinson
Why he’s on the list: A year ago, a “Cheetah” package that included outside linebackers Will Anderson, Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell had Alabama fans giddy with anticipation. While not entirely unproductive, the trio didn’t exactly send the rest of college football into the fetal position, either. Turner and Braswell are back at the top of the rotation, but there’s always room for another pass rusher or three. Since spring drills, Robinson appears to have been that guy, with Keanu Koht and Jeremiah Alexander also in the mix. If the veterans are what they should be at this point in their careers, the wares of heralded freshmen Keon Keeley, Qua Russaw and/or Yhonzae Pierre shouldn’t be on display until the second half of the season opener.
15 QB Ty Simpson
Why he’s on the list: With the competition behind center expected to extend beyond the preseason, I’m not quite ready to call this a crossroads moment in Simpson’s quest to win the job at some point in his Alabama career. Still, given what the Crimson Tide has in the pipeline, the next month or so wouldn’t be a bad time for the redshirt freshman to make a strong statement in relation to his viability for the role. They say the back nine on Sunday is when the Masters Tournament officially gets underway. Given the timeframe head coach Nick Saban is apparently working within, we’re not looking at the closing three holes here. Instead, it feels like Simpson and his competitors are approaching No. 10 tee. Ultimately, someone is gonna need to produce a few birdies while steering clear of Rae’s Creek.
11 S Kristian Story
Why he’s on the list: At the close of spring drills, Story was in position to solidify a role at safety and/or money in the nickel and dime packages. The arrivals of Jaylen Key and Trey Amos from UAB and Louisiana, respectively, along with a hobbled start to fall camp for Story (which likely played into the emergence of DeVonta Smith), seem to have altered the veteran’s trajectory for the start of the upcoming season. Story’s time in the program has kept him in the conversation to this point. It’ll take more to keep him in it moving forward.
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Six on the clock for the first scrimmage of 2023 fall camp
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