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Notes and nuggets from Alabama's first preseason scrimmage

Photo | Alabama Athletics
Photo | Alabama Athletics

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama held its first scrimmage of preseason camp Saturday as players worked for roughly two hours inside Bryant-Denny Stadium. While the scrimmage was held behind closed doors, Tide Illustrated was able to gain some insight from sources in attendance.

Here are a few things we learned.

Improvement on the line

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Alabama’s first-team offensive line raised a few red flags this spring when it allowed Bryce Young to be tapped down 10 times in the backfield during the A-Day game. While stats weren’t made available following Saturday’s scrimmage, sources in attendance stated that the reigning Heisman Trophy winner was much better protected.

Since its spring game, Alabama added Vanderbilt transfer Tyler Steen at tackle and as seen two starters — Emil Ekiyor Jr. and Darrian Dalcourt — return from injury.

All three players were included in the first-team setup Saturday as Steen manned the left tackle position while Ekiyor and Dalcourt retained their roles at right guard and center respectively. Five-star sophomore J.C. Latham was the first-team right tackle while junior Javion Cohen and graduate student Kendall Randolph split time at left guard. Redshirt sophomore Seth McLaughlin also rotated with Dalcourt at the center position.

Alabama’s second-team offensive line primarily consisted of junior Damieon George Jr., freshman Tyler Booker, McLaughlin, Cohen and redshirt junior Amari Kight from left to right.

“I thought the first offensive line was improved,” Saban said during his post-scrimmage press conference. “I thought the second offensive line struggled, struggled in protection, struggled to run the ball. But I was encouraged by the running backs and some of the plays that they were able to make, some of the runs that they were able to run. So, I would say all in all I thought the first line made some improvement. I thought the second line struggled a little bit at times, but I think every unit had its ups and downs and I think that’s what I'm talking about when I talk about maintaining consistency.”

It's worth noting that Alabama's improvement came as starting outside linebacker Will Anderson and starting defensive tackle D.J. Dale were held out of the scrimmage due to precautionary reasons.

Pair of freshmen highlight inconsistent WR unit 

Preseason camp hasn’t been kind to Alabama’s receiving corps. Earlier this week, Nick Saban revealed sophomore JoJo Earle will be out 6-8 weeks after suffering a Jones fracture in his foot. The Crimson Tide is also currently without five-star freshman Aaron Anderson (knee) while Louisville transfer Tyler Harrell has been less than 100% during practice.

Saturday wasn’t necessarily a banner day for Alabama’s wideouts, but it did provide a few positive highlights.

Freshman Kobe Prentice received praise from Saban following the scrimmage as the head coach attributed him with five catches on the day. According to sources, one of those came on a 30-yard touchdown from backup quarterback Jalen Milroe as the two were taking reps with the first-team offense against the second-team defense.

Prentice wasn’t the only freshman receiver to find the end zone Saturday. During red-zone drills, Kendrick Law scored on a 15-yard pass from freshman quarterback Ty Simpson when the second-team offense was taking on the second-team defense. One source described Law as a “beast” following his performance in the scrimmage.

Simpson also connected with walk-on Bret Bolin for a score of roughly 40 yards when the third-team offense went up against the third-team defense. Young was responsible for the other two touchdowns on the day as he connected with receiver Traeshon Holden and running back Jahmyr Gibbs for scores against the first-team defense during red-zone drills.

"We were inconsistent at receiver today,” Saban said following the scrimmage. “We made some really good plays. We dropped some balls. I think Kobe Prentice, probably of the young guys, I think he had like five catches. He was probably the guy that stood out the most of the young players. But each and every day, there's a different guy that shows that they have some ability to do some things in a really positive way.

“So I think if I was gonna evaluate the group, I would say we all need to play with more consistency. We got to get at quarterback really comfortable with the receivers that we're gonna play with in the spots they're going to play. That's got to be a goal for us in the coming weeks."

More competition at cornerback 

Alabama was without one of its potential starting cornerbacks as Khyree Jackson sat out the scrimmage with a minor groin injury. While the setback isn't expected to sideline the senior for long, it did create another wrinkle in the Crimson Tide's cornerback battle.

According to a source, sophomore Kool-Aid McKinstry and redshirt freshman Terrion Arnold served as the first-team cornerbacks Saturday while LSU transfer Eli Ricks primarily worked with the second-team unit. Arnold, who did not make an appearance during his first year with the team last season, made the most of his opportunity Saturday, picking off Young while lining up against the first-team offense. Following the scrimmage, Saban said Arnold "has done a really good job" during camp.

One of the most impressive plays of the scrimmage came as freshman safety Jake Pope wrestled away a deep pass from Simpson for an interception. According to one source, Alabama recorded three interceptions during the scrimmage as all three of its scholarship quarterbacks were picked off.

"It was hard for receivers to get open,” a source told Tide Illustrated. “Unless they play a soft zone, everything was contested.”

Following the scrimmage, Saban revealed that Antonio Kite was moved from safety cornerback, stating the move put the 6-foot-1, 180-pound freshman in a more natural position. Earlier this week, Saban also noted that starting Star Brian Branch has also spent time at cornerback during camp.

A quiet day for TEs 

There weren't too many highlights at the tight end position Saturday as Alabama continues to look for a replacement for injured starter Cameron Latu, who Saban said will “miss a couple weeks” with a “minor knee injury.”

Latu started in 14 games over 15 appearances last season and is Alabama’s only experienced tight end. The redshirt senior is coming off a breakout year in which he set the Crimson Tide’s record for touchdown catches by a tight end with eight. He also finished third on the team with 410 receiving yards while hauling in 26 receptions. Outside of Latu, sophomore Robbie Ouzts’ one reception for 8 yards is the only production Alabama returns at the tight end position.

"Well, we miss Cam, no doubt,” Saban said following Saturday’s scrimmage. “He's a very good player and has a lot of experience and a multi-faceted guy. He's a pretty good receiver. He's a good athlete. He's got pretty good speed. He's a good blocker. So all the other tight ends that we have right now other than Robbie Ouzts, who is a little more of an H-type of guy, they're all young players. There's probably a lot of anxiety out there with a lot the young players today, first scrimmage. So I can't evaluate them just based on what I saw today.”

Alabama added four new members to the tight end unit this offseason, bringing in JUCO transfer Miles Kitselman as well as freshmen Elijah Brown, Amari Niblack and Danny Lewis Jr.

“We do have some guys that can be effective pass-catchers,” Saban said, “but I think that all young players have a long way to go to really understand the things they need to do, in the passing game especially, which takes a lot more precision so that they can get open, they can read the coverages, they can be on the same page with the quarterback. So that's a work in progress with the young guys."

Quick hitters

— The first-team offense had long drives on its first two possessions but was forced to settle for field goals both times. While Saban didn’t reveal kicking stats, he said the specialist “executed fairly well” on the afternoon.

— Alabama’s first-team defense picked up steam as the scrimmage went on, forcing consecutive three-and-outs at one point.

— According to a source, Alabama's first-team offense converted on all but two of its attempts during third-down drills.

— With Dale held out, freshman defensive tackle Jaheim Oatis worked at nose guard with the first-team defense. Oatis, who dropped 74 pounds over the past year, has been a standout at camp, according to multiple sources.

— Jamil Burroughs is another potential breakout player on the defensive line. After recording a pair of sacks during the A-Day game this spring, the junior defensive lineman found his way into the backfield for a third-down sack Saturday.

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