Where things stand with Alabama position battles after 15 practices

Alabama still has five practices left before we reach the first game week of the season, but with classes starting this week in Tuscaloosa, the Crimson Tide’s fall camp has reached its end. With 15 practices now in the books, including both preseason scrimmages, we take a look at where things stand with some of Alabama’s top position battles with 12 days until the opener.

Quarterback

Nick Saban didn’t reveal much when asked about the quarterbacks as a whole after Saturday’s second and final scrimmage. The head coach has been tight-lipped on the competition behind center for most of fall camp, and this weekend’s matter-of-fact response didn’t come as much of a surprise since there still isn’t a clear-cut winner of this Crimson Tide position battle.

Jalen Milroe was first up with the first-team offense again in scrimmage No. 2, and the redshirt sophomore worked exclusively with the first-team offense. Looking back at notes and nuggets BamaOnLine gathered over the weekend, one source gave Milroe the nod in a close race for the top performer on Saturday. Another liked what they saw from Ty Simpson – who was first on the field with the second unit – especially early on during the game-like practice.

Notre Dame transfer Tyler Buchner also got some early work with the ones and marched the offense down the field for a score – a touchdown pass to wide receiver Kobe Prentice. Dylan Lonergan answered with an 80-yard touchdown to wideout Kendrick Law as the true freshman continues to make progress. Back to Buchner, he had a strong outing, but will it be enough to keep him in the mix with Milroe and Simpson, who appear to be the top choices?

With less than two weeks until the first game against Middle Tennessee, Alabama will begin to focus on players it believes can contribute to this year’s team. That could mean first-team reps at quarterback start to dwindle for some, but this race is still too close to call. If it continues to drag on, Buchner, and possibly even Lonergan, could prove to be factors, but as things stand now, the top players at the position remain the leading candidates in the spring.

Offensive line

The offensive line experienced a bit of shuffling this past week in order to get the best five on the field. Staying where they’ve been all offseason was center Seth McLaughlin and right tackle JC Latham, but Tyler Booker, who had spent most of the spring and summer at right guard, is now getting reps at left guard. That was a move made to help the inexperienced players at left tackle, and for the second scrimmage in a row, Kadyn Proctor manned that spot.

“Basically, we moved some guys around to try and get a balance of experience a little bit more,” Saban said. “Booker played left guard last year. He was playing right guard, but we moved him back to left guard. I think that’s helped the left tackles who are less experienced, somebody that’s got more experience, more confidence, can make calls, can help them with their communication.

“That doesn’t mean it’s the way it’s going to be, but that’s one thing that has helped, to some degree, on that side of the line.”

Proctor has been battling redshirt freshman Elijah Prichett for the vacancy at left tackle, and it appears as though the 5-star newcomer has a real shot at carving out a first-team role in Year 1 at Alabama. But Proctor-Pritchett isn’t the only competition on the Tide offensive line. The guard spot opposite Booker has been a back-and-forth battle between Darrian Dalcourt and Terrence Ferguson since the start of fall camp, with Saban viewing Ferguson as a starter.

But on Saturday, it was Dalcourt that was on the field at right guard to begin the scrimmage at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The veteran spent most, if not all, of the afternoon with the first group, while Ferguson worked with the twos, staying at left guard rather than flipping sides like we’ve seen from Dalcourt since he decided to come back. As Saban said, things can change as early as the next practice, so we’ll see if Proctor and Dalcourt can hold onto their spots.

Inside linebacker

Deontae Lawson started four games last year, and barring something unforeseen, he will be a Day 1 starter for the Alabama defense. But the spot next to the third-year linebacker seems to be down to Trezmen Marshall and Jihaad Campbell, who saw most of the first-team reps in the final scrimmage of the preseason. This week, Marshall started out with the ones on defense and was impressive in the closed scrimmage, which marked the second week in a row.

Marshall brings experience to the position, which is important with veterans like Henry To’oTo’o and Jaylen Moody moving on after the 2022 campaign. The Georgia transfer is talented but has been unable to stay on the field due to injuries. If he can remain healthy, he looks to be a player that can help the Crimson Tide defense. So can Campbell, though, who had been the recipient of praise from Saban as a player that had a good summer and was making progress.

The competition between these two inside ‘backers appears to be too close to call right now, as both players have performed well this preseason. With that in mind, the possibility of Marshall and Campbell both seeing reps in the middle of Alabama’s defense this fall becomes more and more real as the season opener approaches. We’ve seen the Tide use a platoon at the position in the past, and it could be an intriguing option for Kevin Steele this season, as well.

Secondary

Alabama has several options at defensive back. We know Kool-Aid McKinstry is going to start after being in the lineup for every game of the 2022 season. Malachi Moore also appears to be a lock to see the field, it’s just a matter of where for the versatile veteran. And true freshman Caleb Downs, a former 5-star recruit, has been as advertised as he has consistently worked with the first-team defense, dating back to spring drills up through scrimmage No. 2.

But the Crimson Tide often plays with six defensive backs, and the other three spots are starting to come into focus. Terrion Arnold has been the cornerback most often seen opposite McKinstry this preseason, although Louisiana transfer Trey Amos has also been productive. When Amos has received reps, Arnold has oftentimes stayed on the field and played in the slot at the Star position while Moore slides to safety. There is versatility within the unit, no doubt.

Downs has the makings of an impact newcomer, and another new addition to the defense has earned reps beside him in both of Alabama’s scrimmages. UAB transfer Jaylen Key began the second scrimmage at safety and also worked at the Money position when UA worked out of its dime formation. The Tide has other quality options, like DeVonta Smith, Earl Little II and Kristian Story, and they will need to be ready. But the secondary is starting to take shape.

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