TUSCALOOSA, Ala.–Spring football doesn’t count, so it’s a prime opportunity for some experimenting.
Through two scrimmages, Alabama is still trying various players in new positions with key positions still up for grabs.
Quarterback Cooper Bateman has been practicing with the receivers during the Spring, but was back with the passers today. Cornerback Eddie Jackson has been working with the safeties this week, and freshman safety Deionte Thompson has gotten reps at wide receiver.
While the starting quarterback job seemed to be Jake Coker’s to lose entering the offseason, David Cornwell — seen working with the first team before Saturday’s scrimmage — could challenge for the spot.
After the scrimmage, Saban said Cornwell has played smart and has done as good a job as anyone during Spring practice.
“We’re really encouraged by all the progress that he’s made,” Saban said.
But Cornwell taking snaps with the first team doesn’t eliminate Coker, freshman Blake Barnett, Alec Morris or Bateman from the job. Each day in practice, three quarterbacks handle the bulk of the work, with the other quarterbacks rotating into that routine on the next day.
“They all have shown at some point in time that they can do it,” Saban said. “Nobody has stood out to the point to say, ‘That’s the guy.’
“If we had [the position] resolved, it would be easier to establish an identity on offense.”
All five quarterbacks have been given an opportunity to start, but it’s still anyone’s job. Saban said the issue is who can lead the most consistently, and he said the decision will be made over time.
“It’s not for us to give away,” Saban said. “It’s for somebody to earn.”
Again this week, the scrimmage is closed to the media, so the numbers given are the numbers the team chooses to release.
No passing statistics were given by the Alabama staff.
In the rushing category, Ronnie Clark had 17 carries for 29 yards, Lawrence Erekosima had seven carries for 29 yards, and Derrick Henry had six carries for 24 yards.
Robert Foster had six receptions for 102 yards, Parker Barrineau collected four receptions for 81 yards, Raheem Falkins nabbed two receptions for 46 yards, and O.J. Howard tallied four receptions for 45 yards and two touchdowns.
The defensive stats are a bit more substantial with Jarran Reed amassing five tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss, and one pass breakup. Dalvin Tomlinson had five tackles with freshman Ronnie Harrison tallying four tackles. Finally, Dillon Lee and Reuben Foster each had three tackles and one interception.
Alabama will have one final week of practice before the A-Day Spring game on April 18 at 2 p.m. The game is free to the public and will air on the SEC Network.
