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The Tuscaloosa News
Alabama football gives A Day preview. 4 things Crimson Tide fans should expect to see
- Story byThe Tuscaloosa News
- Alabama football gives A Day preview. 4 things Crimson Tide fans should expect to see
Kalen DeBoer doesn't have much time left of Alabama football spring football.
When he was out in the middle of the Crimson Tide's practice field, standing next to offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb near the offensive line group, DeBoer looked at his 12th practice of the spring, with three more ahead, culminating in the program's annual A Day spring game at noon Saturday from Bryant-Denny Stadium.
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Questions are still on the table for the Crimson Tide . Position battles remain in full swing, with months still between Alabama and its Aug. 30 season opener against Florida State .
But Alabama has a much clearer picture of the team it will showcase on A Day Saturday.
Here are four things the Crimson Tide fanbase should expect to see Saturday.
Ty Simpson at the front of the Alabama football quarterback line
Mar 5, 2025; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Quarterback Ty Simpson works a drill during Spring Practice for the Crimson Tide.
The Alabama quarterback battle may not be complete. But one fact remains: each rep the Crimson Tide took during its open period Tuesday, Ty Simpson was at the front of the line.
It makes sense. Simpson has the most experience of any quarterback in the room with three Alabama seasons under his belt with 50 career pass attempts. And the Crimson Tide has made experience its calling card all spring, especially with the Aug. 30 season opener at Florida State .
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The order of Simpson, Austin Mack and Keelon Russell may not remain after summer and into the fall. But heading into A Day, it's the hierarchy that makes the most sense for the Crimson Tide.
Injuries aside, Alabama football defense seems set in stone
When Alabama went into its back-end defensive drills Tuesday, there really were not any surprises as to who lined up where.
Zabien Brown and Dijon Lee lined up as the starting cornerbacks, with Domani Jackson out for spring. Bray Hubbard and Zavier Mincey were the starting safeties, with Keon Sabb out for spring. Qua Russaw was at Wolf. Cayden Jones took another linebacker spot alongside Nikhai Hill-Green , with Deontae Lawson out for spring, and Justin Jefferson limited.
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And on the defensive line, Tim Keenan III , LT Overton and Jeremiah Beaman were at the front of the line, with Kelby Collins , Edric Hill and Isaia Faga not too far behind.
The outliers of Jones, Mincey and Lee can be explained and filled once fall hits. While Husky is the biggest question, Jones, who started the ReliaQuest Bowl, seems to be the favorite to start in the slot.
Questions as to who could be a starter on Alabama's defense seem to be slim-to-none as A Day approaches.
Alabama could show some strange offensive line sets
That is not the same for the offensive line.
The right side is stable. Wilkin Formby , Jaeden Roberts and Parker Brailsford are solidified starters. With the first team Tuesday, with Kadyn Proctor out for spring, Olaus Alinen took first-team left tackle reps with Kam Dewberry at left guard, with Geno VanDeMark working off to the side.
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The second and third teams could spark the intriguing storylines with freshmen galore – Jackson Lloyd and Michael Carroll , a natural guard, at tackle and Mal Waldrep at left guard – along with Joseph Ionata at center and William Sanders at right guard.
The space between the starting five and freshmen is not large, proving to be a continuous depth concern as spring nears its end.
Alabama tight ends lead spring injury concerns
Alabama doesn't have many questions when it comes to who could start at tight end come fall. Reinforcements are coming in returners like Josh Cuevas and Danny Lewis Jr. who are both out with injuries, freshman Marshall Pritchett, who is out with injury, and freshman Kaleb Edwards , who will enroll in the summer.
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When one looks at the room this spring, though, it's nearly bare. Led by Jay Lindsey, Alabama had five tight ends working through drills. One, Jayden Hobson , is a Mississippi State transfer who moved to the position from offensive line.
DeBoer said previously that tight end depth, or the lack thereof, is one of the main factors in the team's decision on a spring "game" format. That will be apparent Saturday afternoon.
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: Alabama football gives A Day preview. 4 things fans should expect
