TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — “Welcome to the South” held a double meaning for Kalen DeBoer on Wednesday. It’s one part an introduction to his first preseason practices at Alabama and another part a welcome to the heat in the South at this time of year.
Alabama has shifted to morning practices, but the mid-80s temperatures were still an adjustment for the Crimson Tide’s new coach.
“Welcome to the South, for me in particular,” DeBoer said. “Just practicing in a little bit warmer than the rest of the summer — it hit us here on practice one. I think a few guys underestimated the fuel they needed to put in their bodies which led to cramping, but they’ll learn from it. That’s part of this process, learning to eat more, drink more, get more sleep. That will become a positive.”
The overarching good news of Wednesday’s practice is that all of the scholarship players were accounted for and healthy. Only wide receiver Jalen Hale, who suffered a serious leg injury during spring practice, didn’t participate. DeBoer stated that one side of the ball isn’t ahead of the other, but the first day allowed for some insight on players of interest from summer enrollees (high school and transfer portal), to spring early enrollees, to players who missed spring practice and more.
“Just like most first practices, great energy,” DeBoer said. “Far from perfect, but each side had its moments, made plays, and that’s what you want. It’s good to have that give and take.”
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Expectations for Williams, freshman DBs
One of the biggest storylines at preseason practice is five-star signee Ryan Williams, who has been turning heads in summer workouts since his arrival. He received high praise from DeBoer and veterans Tyler Booker, Jalen Milroe and Malachi Moore at SEC Media Days for how he assimilated in the summer months, and now he’s adjusting to full-scale practices with the team.
Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer went through his first preseason practice with the Crimson Tide on Wednesday. (Gary Cosby Jr. / USA Today)
Williams was part of a second grouping with Cole Adams and Emmanuel Henderson Jr. during drill work in Wednesday’s practice. Several established veterans will have big roles (Germie Bernard, Kobe Prentice and Kendrick Law), but there’s an opportunity for Williams to crack the playing rotation early on.
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“Just consistently (moving upward) in his trajectory,” DeBoer said of what Williams needs to do during August. “I don’t need him on day one. You want every play to be amazing, explosive, but you just want him lining up right and doing the fundamentals things. Make the easy plays, and then because of his ability, the big plays will come. When you’re running routes on air: Run a good route, make the catch and accelerate out with good ball security. He keeps stacking days, and the plays we know he’s capable of making will happen.”
First look at Alabama 5-⭐️ freshman WR Ryan Williams on day 1 of fall camp for the Crimson Tide 🐘🏈 #RollTide pic.twitter.com/AR5RgQrQYK
— Alabama Crimson Tide | AL.com (@aldotcomTide) July 31, 2024
Several true freshmen in the defensive backfield are vying for playing time and/or a spot on the two-deep this fall. Cornerback Zabien Brown is a main contender for the starting spot opposite of junior Domani Jackson, while Red Morgan is battling for the starting Husky (slot) spot with junior DeVonta Smith while Zavier Mincey and Jaylen Mbakwe are working within the top two groups competing for depth spots.
The freshman quartet had a strong spring session and benefitted from working with the first and second teams. The early preseason practices will be important for those players from an information retention standpoint as they’ll get a second chance at the concepts introduced during spring.
“They got some of the install and technical work again in the summer,” DeBoer said. “Now is another opportunity. We talk about growth from year one to year two; to me, it’s from the spring to the fall. It’s the second full install; they’ve heard the language and getting reps and what we need from them is to take that next big step.
“Then just like (Williams), you just want to see consistency. Consistency builds trust, which leads to the confidence to make plays.”
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High praise for Proctor, updates on portal additions
The attrition and youth in the secondary led to a few transfer portal additions: cornerback DaShawn Jones (Wake Forest) and safeties Kameron Howard (Charlotte) and King Mack (Penn State). Those three combined with the freshmen to create a talented mix, but they’re either learning a new system or learning about college in general.
Jones, Howard and Mack have the benefit of previous college snaps, but even their adjustments led to some coverage busts on the first day.
“I really like to see the film before I make too many comments on missed assignments or anything like that,” DeBoer said. “One or two plays might have happened because those guys were in there and just not (playing instinctively) completely. That’s expected (in) practice one with new faces out there on the field.
“But I love their energy, I love their attitude, they give great effort. They’ve really meshed with the whole team. I think there’s a ton of respect from their teammates, and that’s what you want.”
Howard and Mack are likely to be depth pieces among a secondary that has solidified starters at the safety spots, while Jones will be depended on to play a big role immediately as one of two cornerbacks with college experience on the roster (Jackson). The battle with Brown will continue through practice, but Jones’ experience as a multi-year starter is a welcomed addition.
“He’s taken some snaps at the college football level, so we need him out there,” DeBoer said. “I think there’s a confidence about him just because of that; we need (that) in our program always but also in that position room.
“(Jones, Howard, Mack) have ability; now it’s just a matter of getting those reps so they can be confident in themselves, and others can be confident and believing and knowing they are going to be in the right spot. That’s the direction I think they are headed.”
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Alabama’s biggest transfer, physically and from a rankings standpoint — Kadyn Proctor — has impressed during summer workouts but is still working his way back into the starting rotation. Proctor was working with the second-team offensive line through the summer, and that continued on the first day of practice. DeBoer noted that there’s a rotation at tackle, but the first two tackles remained unchanged from spring: Elijah Pritchett (left) and Wilkin Formby (right).
The second team unit (left to right) was Proctor, Olaus Alinen, Roq Montgomery, Geno VanDeMark and Miles McVay.
“I don’t have a huge understanding of what he was a year ago, (but) it feels like he’s in really good shape, and lean,” DeBoer said of Proctor. “(His) strength and explosive numbers are up. I love his demeanor out there. Good to have him back. Good to have him here.”
Proctor’s re-adjustment after missing spring practice will be a storyline to watch. While his stay on the second team isn’t expected, Pritchett and Formby took advantage of their opportunity in the first practice. The interior of the starting offensive line is unchanged with Booker (left guard), Parker Brailsford (center) and Jaeden Roberts (right guard).
“Parker is now back in there,” DeBoer said. “Pritchett took a lot of reps; he had a nice day. I thought Wilkin did a nice job. There’s a lot of mixing and matching, especially at the tackle position. The interior three was pretty consistent. But their reps are gonna be really critical for our success and them jelling.”
Important update on Oatis
Defensive lineman Jehiem Oatis was a full participant in practice on Wednesday. The junior has battled injuries since last fall and missed most of spring practice due to injury but worked with the top defensive line group, including Tim Keenan III, Tim Smith, James Smith and LT Overton.
DeBeor noted that Oatis’ spring absence was more of a precaution and that he entered preseason practice fully prepared. The defensive line rotation is yet to be determined, but Oatis figures to be a main fixture, particularly on the interior with Keenan.
“He was almost ready at the end of spring ball,” DeBoer said. “If we had one more week of spring ball, we would’ve had him out there. He had a really good summer, and we’re excited for what he’s going to bring to the table.”
(Top photo: Gary Cosby Jr. / USA Today)
