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The Tuscaloosa News
5 players Alabama football fans will be talking about after 2025 A-Day spring game
- Story byThe Tuscaloosa News
- 5 players Alabama football fans will be talking about after 2025 A-Day spring game
Alabama football is nearing the end of its spring practice schedule.
The Crimson Tide will wrap up its practice slate in front of fans Saturday for A-Day , taking the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium for what is expected to be more of a "practice" than true game-like atmosphere.
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Regardless of the kind of stage Alabama players will have at its spring game, a handful of players may still have the opportunity to shine.
Here are five players Crimson Tid e fans could be talking about after Alabama football's A-Day festivities Saturday.
Dijon Lee; Alabama football cornerback
The size alone is staggering: a 6-foot-4, 197-pound true cornerback. But Dijon Lee is doing more than just letting his size turn heads at Alabama football.
The Carson, California, native is making plays, taking a significant amount of reps with the first team with Domani Jackson out for the spring with an injury. Lee falls in the same category as Jackson, Zabien Brown and incoming freshman Chuck McDonald III as California-to-Alabama football pipelined cornerbacks that seem to shine right away.
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Whether it's Lee's size or ball skills against first-team wide receivers, this freshman has as good of a chance as any to put on a show Saturday if given the opportunity.
Lotzeir Brooks; Alabama wide receiver
All spring, Alabama has lauded its wide receiver room, from returners like Germie Bernard and Ryan Williams , newcomers like Isaiah Horton or breakout candidates like Rico Scott or converted cornerback Jaylen Mbakwe .
But one freshman may have something unique from the rest of the Crimson Tide receiver room: a true slot receiver mentality. Dating back to his time at Millville High School in New Jersey, Lotzeir Brooks was used anywhere and everywhere, leaving as the most statistically impressive receiver in state history. Whether it's from the slot, outside or from the backfield, Brooks, a true freshman, has shown a level of comfort as a playmaker this spring, garnering ample praise from fellow receivers, coaches and even defensive backs tasked with facing him.
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Will consistent playing time come this fall for Brooks? In an overflowing wide receiver room, it's easy to see others step up before him. But an impressive A-Day could help force the Crimson Tide's hand in favor of the 5-foot-9, 188-pound freshman.
Zavier Mincey ; Alabama safety
Nov 16, 2024; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Zavier Mincey (12) catches a ball during warmups before the game with Mercer at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News
Alabama may have its two starting safeties set. But the Crimson Tide may have another pushing for significant playing time.
Enter Zavier Mincey , the former five-star cornerback-turned-safety, who had seven tackles and a pass breakup against Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl when starting next to Bray Hubbard for the injured Malachi Moore .
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Even with Hubbard and Keon Sabb back, Mincey, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound Daytona Beach, Florida , native, has been the talk of spring as a potential defensive breakout. With Sabb still working his way back from injury ahead of the fall, that conversation may be heightened if Mincey shines on A-Day.
Wilkin Formby; Alabama right tackle
The narrative regarding Wilkin Formby has completely changed in a calendar year.
Instead of being in the throes of the biggest position battle on the team like he was with Elijah Pritchett ahead of 2024, Formby is now a part of what Alabama coaches and players, alike, call the "veteran side" of the the Crimson Tide offensive line, joining right guard Jaeden Roberts and center Parker Brailsford .
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While questions remain for the offensive line as a whole, from the starting left guard spot to overall tackle depth, Formby doesn't seem to be one of them, something he's found security in this offseason and using it to catapult himself into a leadership role. That new-and-improved Formby should be on full display.
Michael Carroll: Alabama guard
Michael Carroll may be the most talked about freshman of the spring on offense outside of Keelon Russell.
While Carroll came to the Crimson Tide as a former five-star guard out of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, Alabama has been using the freshman's 6-foot-6, 315-pound frame to its advantage, giving him practice reps at tackle along with both guard spots.
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Alabama does not have much depth behind presumed starters Formby and Kadyn Proctor, who's been limited this spring with an injury. Olaus Alinen , who was primarily a guard, and Ball State transfer Arkel Anugwom seem to be the only cushion between Alabama and its 2025 freshman class that includes Jackson Lloyd and Micah DeBose out wide.
Where Carroll lines up Saturday could be an indicator of a long-term development plan for a talented freshman who could be one of the first members of the 2025 class to see the field this fall.
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Players Alabama football fans will be talking about after 2025 A-Day
