TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The coaches have been drafted, the players have been assigned a team — either Crimson or White — and Alabama’s spring camp is set to come to a close with the annual A-Day game on Saturday at 1 p.m. inside of Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Nick Saban said A-Day will be his team’s first opportunity to create an identity for itself as it looks to repeat as national champions. The head coach also provided a friendly reminder of the added stakes of the scrimmage. By tradition, Saturday’s winning team will eat a steak dinner on Sunday while the losing side will have to settle for pork and beans.
“I am the commissioner in this particular game so under no circumstances will I be eating beans on Monday,” Saban said with a smile. “I'll be jumping on the winning team's back and riding them right to the steak.”
Along with the preferred dining options, A-Day holds a different meaning to every player on Alabama’s roster. Here’s what a few of them had to say when asked what the scrimmage means to them.
Offensive lineman Jonah Williams
"We look at it as our third scrimmage, but it's our final impression, both on the coaches and on the country. It's a nationally televised game, so that's kind of how we look at it. It's our first statement of 2018."
Cornerback Trevon Diggs
"It’s a time to compete with the guys. I am looking forward to it. It will be a fun experience to try to beat the other team so I don’t have to eat pork and beans.”
Safety Deionte Thompson
"A Day means a lot, you know. It's just something for the fans to come out, the fans that don't get to come during the season for whatever reason. For them to come out it means a lot to me, it means a lot to players around the organization and it means a lot to the coaches and support staff. So, you just want as many to come out as they can and we just want to put on a good show for them.”
Offensive lineman Lester Cotton
“A-Day is when you get you guys and the fans and families out to see what all we’ve put in in the spring, from the championship game. It’s like another step for us to get ready for the season, hold y’all until we get to the season. But I like A-Day because it gives us a chance to play against some really good guys like Terrell [Lewis] and the front seven.”
Defensive lineman Raekwon Davis
"It means a lot. When all the fans come out and the atmosphere, it's just crazy."
Tight end Hale Hentges
“Overall, I feel like it’s a great opportunity to showcase what we’ve been working on. I kind of feel like it’s a springboard to the season, and I feel like it’s a good indicator of how well we’ve been playing. And really I feel like it’s a fan’s chance to see us in close action if they might not get to the game either. So really I just look forward to competing in front of the best fanbase in the country.”
HOW TO WATCH A-DAY
When: Saturday, April 21
Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium
Admission: Free
Time: 1 p.m. CT
TV: ESPN
Online: WatchESPN