Takeaways from Alabama’s second practice of preseason camp

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama hit the field on Thursday morning for its second practice of the preseason under new head coach Kalen DeBoer. Reporters were permitted to watch 20 minutes of the workout on the Thomas-Drew Practice Fields, and here are our takeaways.

– We got a better look at the defense to begin the viewing portion of Thursday’s practice. The back end was split up into two groups, and the cornerbacks with the first unit were who we saw end the spring, Domani Jackson and Zabien Brown. Jackson looks to be in a good spot on the first unit, while the position opposite him is still up for grabs. Working behind Brown during this brief drill was Jaylen Mbakwe and Wake Forest transfer DaShawn Jones.

– I watched the corners toward the end of practice, and they were working on coverage drills with Maurice Linguist. “Accelerate when you locate! Accelerate when you locate!” he shouted as they tracked down a deep throw to the end zone. Head coach Kalen DeBoer was looking on in this period, encouraging the young corners. There was no order to this drill as Mbakwe was up first, followed by two walk-ons and then Jones, Jackson, Zay Mincey and Jahlil Hurley. After a poor throw, the position coach told Jackson he owed the DB five push-ups.

– The first offensive line remained the same as Day 1 of fall camp. Elijah Pritchett was at left tackle, while Wilkin Formby manned the right tackle position. Tyler Booker, Parker Brailsford and Jaeden Roberts were again the interior trio. DeBoer said Wednesday that Alabama was mixing and matching at the tackle positions, and that held true with Kadyn Proctor working again with the second team. Olaus Alinen was again at left guard, but the other three spots were different. Geno VanDeMark was at center, Roq Montgomery was at right guard – as the linemen flipped positions from yesterday – and Naquil Betrand was at right tackle.

– After watching the quarterbacks throw with the receivers on Day 1, I stopped and observed the signal-callers working with the running backs. The pairings included Jalen Milroe and Jam Miller; Ty Simpson and Justice Haynes; Austin Mack and Richard Young; and Dylan Lonergan and Daniel Hill. Most of what I saw was just exchanges in the backfield, but agreeing with my BOL teammate Jimmy Stein, Hill made a nice catch earlier in practice.

– The tight ends also spent time with the quarterbacks, and the order in which they ran their routes was to be expected. Up first was CJ Dippre, who is entering Year 2 at Alabama. He was followed by Robbie Ouzts, Josh Cuevas, Danny Lewis, Ty Lockwood and Jay Lindsey. It’s one of the more underrated position groups, but there is some quality depth here.

– One change to college practices around the country this fall is no limit to on-field coaches. Watching an Alabama practice can be overwhelming sometimes, and it does seem like there are more people on the field than ever before. One example of that is Chuck Morrell, who was the defensive coordinator at Washington last season, was working with the inside linebackers later in the media viewing period. Those guys get a double dose of DC as Kane Wommack continues to work with the inside ‘backers as his primary position unit.

– A common occurrence at Alabama under Nick Saban was the presence of NFL scouts at practice. On Thursday, there were three New Orleans Saints representatives at the morning workout. I don’t recall seeing so many scouts from one team at a single practice.

*** What’s next: Alabama will take Friday, Aug. 2, off before returning to the field on Saturday, Aug. 3. After today’s practice, Crimson Tide defensive coordinator Kane Wommack and select defensive assistant coaches and defensive players will be available for interviews.

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