It’s officially a new era in Tuscaloosa, and that will be marked formally on Saturday afternoon.
The spring game, better known as A-Day, is always a favorite for Tide fans, but this year will look a little different in that there will be a new man in charge for the first time in 17 years.
Kalen DeBoer gets his first taste of Bryant-Denny Stadium and fans will get their first look at the new-look offense and new era regime.
Here’s a few things to watch for:
How comfortable do QBs look in new offense?
DeBoer has made it clear that Jalen Milroe is QB1. But with a new coaching staff comes a new offense, and it will be fascinating to see how far Milroe and the rest of the room has come along in grasping it.
As Michael Penix found out, the DeBoer system can be a quarterback’s best friend. Ty Simpson, who is currently slotted in as the backup, will be one to keep an eye on as well. Dylan Lonergan enters his sophomore year at Alabama, while Austin Mack transfers in from Washington with DeBoer and the two are likely battling for QB3.
Exactly how all four guys perform will be the main narrative coming out of the day.
Is offensive line looking improved?
This will be one of the more fascinating questions throughout the season for Alabama. While Kadyn Proctor has already pledged his return to Alabama, the portal window technically is not open yet and Proctor is not there at the moment.
Alabama boasts one of the strongest interior offensive lines in the country with guards Tyler Booker and Jaeden Roberts returning with either Parker Brailsford or James Brockermeyer at center.
Right tackle is a question mark after JC Latham entered the NFL Draft, and Tide fans should watch Miles McVay during A-Day to see a preview of the position
Are running backs as advertised?
Jam Miller and Justice Haynes are poised to be one of the best running back duos in the nation, provided both stay in Tuscaloosa through the spring portal window. Behind them is rising sophomore Richard Young, who was in the same class as Haynes.
Daniel Hill and Kevin Riley also enter as freshmen.
The entire group is one of the best rooms in the nation and should be featured heavily at A-Day.
What does new format look like?
Nick Saban always had two teams for what looked like a real game between the Crimson and White teams made up of players from the first team offense and the second team defense while being drafted by coaches.
DeBoer announced yesterday that the teams will instead be split up into “offense and defense”, a common practice which makes it more practice-like than game-like.
He spoke on the reasons for the change:
“A couple reasons, No. 1, I like to look at it as practice No. 15. We’ll see a lot of scrimmaging out there, but it’s a chance for us to get better. It’s a chance for us to take a next step. A chance for us to evaluate, as well. And so try to really get down to the bare bones of playing some football. It gives us a chance to really also celebrate what we’re doing and where we’re at and enjoy the moment with the fans. So excited to see a packed stadium there and looking forward to seeing everyone come and support our program,” he said.
New look wide receiver group
All three of Alabama’s leading receivers from Nick Saban’s final year are gone between Isaiah Bond and Amari Niblack (portal) as well as Jermaine Burton (NFL Draft).
To start with, DeBoer brings back Kobe Prentice and Kendrick Law as well as Germie Bernard transferring in from Washington. Jalen Hale won’t be seen at A-Day after he suffered an injury during spring practice, but unproven veteran Emmanuel Henderson as well as redshirt freshman Jaren Hamilton will be out there.
Alabama has a stable of freshmen coming in that are not on campus yet and could also look to the spring portal to add at receiver, but A-Day will be a good preview at what is currently in the room.
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP
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