Alabama football held its second scrimmage of the spring Friday, a week and a day out from the final practice of the spring.
With A-Day about a week away, the Crimson Tide and coach Kalen DeBoer practiced on Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium, running about 115 plays. The first group and second group got about 50 plays each with the rest of the snaps going to the third group.
“Offense and defense worked together to really try and get the looks we want,” Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said. “Try to make the most of some substitution, things like that, putting guys in certain spots that they’re not used to being in until all of a sudden today. Otherwise, got what I think we needed to get done. Continue to get the quarterbacks reps, just mixing and matching different groups — especially on defense, keeping those guys fresh, a lot of guys playing and rotating."
The scrimmage was closed to the general public, but AL.com spoke with multiple individuals in attendance to gather information as to what transpired and who stood out.
Latest on Alabama quarterback battle
No one quarterback seems to have run away with the job yet, and that remained the case in the scrimmage Friday. It’s not surprising, considering it’s still spring, with a week to go until A-Day.
There’s also no indication the pecking order has yet received significant shakeup. The order, largely based on experience, has been Ty Simpson then Austin Mack and then Keelon Russell. Simpson and Mack know the offense best. Russell came to campus this semester.
Right now, as far as rep distribution goes, Simpson and Mack seem to be getting more work with the first and second groups whereas Russell is primarily working with the 2s and 3s. The early reps are going to the experienced guys, but Russell continues to flash at times. His talent has been evident.
Mack made some flashy throws in the scrimmage, but he also had at least one interception. Simpson was solid. He connected with senior receiver Germie Bernard on a deep pass at one point early in the scrimmage. But there’s no indication Simpson played in a way Friday that made it evident he’s taken the starting job already. The competition seems to remain very much so open and will be worth monitoring into A-Day and into the summer.
A few freshman standouts
Dijon Lee might only be a freshman, but the 6-4, 197-pound cornerback is already catching people’s attention.
The former five-star prospect from Carson, California showed a knack for being around the ball. He’s going to fit right into Kane Wommack’s defense that prides itself on taking the ball away. Starting cornerback Domani Jackson is out for the spring with an injury, allowing more opportunities at cornerback for other guys. It appears Lee is already taking advantage.
But another freshman stood out perhaps even more. Maybe even more than most players on the roster. Freshman receiver Lotzeir Brooks drew serious praise from onlookers. He caught at least one touchdown and shined during the scrimmage.
Brooks is in a deep receiver room with Bernard, Isaiah Horton, Ryan Williams, and more, but he’s showing already he could find his way into playing time as a freshman if he keeps performing at the level he did Friday.
