Just back from the media viewing period. These will be quick, random hitters. I will have deeper thoughts later today in a different form. Just wanted to share things with you guys quickly .... *** What stood out to me the most, for whatever reason, is the impressive size Keon Keeley has added since the Spring. It was almost jarring. Not going to be the carnival guy that guesses heights and weights, just saying he appeared to be very similarly sized to Jordan Renaud. Both Keon and Jordan looked sharp in drills. Quick and athletic. But if the staff wanted Keon to move to bandit and add size, he has done just that and quickly. He's growing into a monster. He's much larger than the guys in the wolf group, not even close. *** Speaking of the DL Group, got a long look at them based on where they were positioned in relation to the media. Really impressive how they go about their business. All look to be in really good shape. Particularly impressed by the vets like Jah-Marien Latham and Tim Keenan ... their veteran presence in the group is obvious. James Smith looked very quick and aggressive and continues building. *** In blocking drills, I watched the young TE, Jay Lindsey. Physical as advertised. When the TEs later worked with the QBs, Josh Cuevas continues to stand out. He is a natural receiver. Don't sell CJ Dippre short in this category, too. *** This will shock no one but Deontae Lawson is the clear leader of the ILB group. Does everything text book. Number Zero and Jihaad Campbell were first up with ILB drills, as expected. I thought Justin Jefferson had added a little size. He looks like an SEC linebacker in today's game now, not a DB that's standing in the wrong line. (Maybe the number change helped, too) *** Other than the DL group, the group that impressed me most today were the WRs. Smooth and in the time I watched, I saw no drops. Even some nice snags. Ryan Williams is cat-like quick and he showed soft hands, even bringing down a deep throw and nearly snagging one a bit off target with one hand. In a group full of premium athletes, he didn't take a back seat, I can tell you that. *** All four scholarship QBs threw the ball well in drills. The ball is flying off Jalen Milroe's hand. If anything, he has added arm strength. Never saw him drill a ball in the work we viewed but he clearly has plenty of arm. Still not used to Austin Mack's size. It's something to see. *** Physically, you have to like where Qua Russaw is with the OLB group. The older players like Quandarrius Robinson and Keanu Koht are expected to get the first snaps and they are impressive physically, too, but Qua balls out. Nice seeing freshman Noah Carter for the first time. With young players like him, some times it's not all necessarily about his development, it's opportunity. He's just got some good, older players in front of him for now. *** Watched CB drills ... DaShawn Jones looks the part but you can't help but notice how well built the young CBs are ... and not just one of them. All of them. Zabien Brown, Zay Mincey and Jaylen Mbakwe, in no way look like true freshman cornerbacks. Those guys are solidly built. They are too young to say things like this but "NFL size" comes to mind immediately. Still, in terms of the drills, it's obvious Domani Jackson and DaShawn Jones are older kids who know their stuff. *** It was difficult to see the first OL group at times due to positioning but it did appear to me that Wilkin Formby was lining up with the first group at RT. Don't put that in ink, put that in light pencil. Again, what we saw today were position group drills. We did not see a full offense or defense line up. In fact, in one defensive drill, the LBs and DBs were all working together. So you couldn't really draw too many conclusions about who was a 1, who was a 2, etc. *** The weather was actually almost pleasant. Yes, it was hot. But practicing in the morning made sense when you were standing out there. There was music (the AC/DC jam was my favorite) and a ton of energy. A lot of athletes. Hard to put this in into words ... I guess it's because the rules now allow for limited summer work between coaches and players but it almost didn't look like a "first day". Felt almost like business as usual. Extremely well run, crisp, focused.
Football is finally here! Alabama Football: Takeaways from first practice of preseason camp (on3.com). We made it! -In case you missed it: my longtime partner in crime (and cargos) Travis Reier has decided to step down from a full-time role so he can enjoy more personal time. Nothing but respect for TR, and I'm sure we will see him around him from time to time. -Also today is Clint Lamb's last day. Our buddy will have a new job that he will announce in the future. Clint is a good dude and has our respect, we appreciate everything he did here. BamaOnLine going forward -Team coverage will still be led by Charlie Potter, who is the best in the business. He will be leading the team side of things with Jimmy Stein assisting. Jimmy will be doing a little more writing while continuing to engage in the message board discussion. Andrew Bone will also be dipping deeper in the team side of things with opinions and discussion. And you know me, I love to share my two cents (and that's all it's worth sometimes). And there will be more help on the way. So stay tuned. -On the recruiting end nothing changes. Jojo Dancer, Andrew and I will still be in the same roles we have been. We are incredibly excited about the future of BOL. We've been at On3 for a little over a year, and it's been fantastic to see this community continue to grow. Nick Saban has come and gone, and now, we are ready for the Kalen DeBoer era. Plenty of team coverage coming and a recruiting class still battling for No. 1. So a lot happening in the coming months. Thank you all for being here. We appreciate each and every one of you. RTR
I think he said in one of those interviews that he personally tries not to talk that way but doesn't have any sort of rule for coaches or players or anything.
FYI for Champs (esp. GOAT North Alabama champs) looking to attend the Vandy game, Vandy just put single game tickets on sale this morning. There are still some good seats available, and it's cheaper than what's on the secondary market right now. Not insanely huge savings but it probably saved me $50-75 per ticket going through Vanderbilt than SeatGeek.
Here are a few quick hitters based on some observations from Day 2 of Fall Camp on Thursday morning. *** The temperature was up, the music was up, the energy was up. *** Got a close look at the DL group once again. You can't help but be impressed with the offseason work put in by the guys. There are players that you might expect to be a little heavy -- Tim Keenan, Jeheim Oatis, Tim Smith, Damon Payne -- but they are appear to be in excellent shape and condition. I felt all spring and summer this would be a team strength. The numbers of quality lineman are impressive. *** Keon Keeley continues to get extra attention, extra coaching. That's a good thing. There's clearly an effort to invest in him. While he might be corrected/coached more than the others, it's when they stop correcting you and coaching you that's alarming. It's clear Freddie Roach wants this kid to be the best he can be and his upside remains considerable. *** Really liked Tim Smith and Tim Keenan today. Jah-Marien Latham, too. This is their fourth or even fifth Fall Camps. But the energy is still there. It's clear with this group there are veterans that can be trusted. Among the young DLs, JordanRenaud shows outstanding burst and athleticism. *** The tight end group worked on their own during the viewing period on blocking skills but also with the QBs on pass routes. All showed good hands. Josh Cuevas is the standout as a receiver but all of them show adequate skills in this component. CJ Dippre, Robbie Ouzts look the part as blockers but both have soft hands in the pass drills. Cuevas is built a bit more narrowly and has better quickness out of his breaks. Jay Lindsey is very impressive in the blocking drills. Doesn't look like his second day as a college football player. *** The first offensive line group was, L-R, Elijah Pritchett-Tyler Booker-Parker Brailsford-Jaeden Roberts-Wilkin Formby. Kadyn Proctor worked with the 2s. I think we all know where that situation is headed for the opener against Western Kentucky but the experience both young tackles are getting with the 1s will be helpful. Watched Casey Poe with the reserves. He is really put together for a freshman lineman. He has a very mature game, too. He could be one of those freshman surprises though breaking into the 1 group would be a very tall order. Still, don't rule out him getting long looks with the 2s. *** The RB group is incredibly impressive. Working with the QBs, big ol' Daniel Hill made an incredible over the shoulder grab. He is a fascinating combination of size + receiver skills for the position. Kevin Riley is working his way into SEC game-shape in his first practices but he shows next-level burst. His explosive athletic ability stands out, even in this group. *** What does this mean? Probably very little but let's note that in hand-off drills, Jalen Milroe worked with Jam Miller, TySimpson was with Justice Haynes, Austin Mack was with Richard Young, Dylan Lonergan with Daniel Hill and CadeCarruth handed the ball to Kevin Riley. Don't read too deeply into it. I wouldn't ignore it, either. *** Order of tight end drills? CJ Dippre, Robbie Ouzts, Josh Cuevas, Danny Lewis, Ty Lockwood, Jay Lindsey. Not a surprise. Not set in stone. But basically what you would expect to see. *** Watched Coach Christian Robinson work his OLBs through their paces. It's such a large group -- one position, six scholarship players. The older kids are very impressive physically -- Q Rob, Keanu Koht and Qua Russaw. The other three are still working on putting together the physical package it takes to thrive in this league but those top three look ready to go. Excellent athletes, very rangy. Russaw may be the most physical of the bunch already but Q Rob and Koht eat up so much ground quickly it will be tough to keep them off the field. *** Watched the younger ILBs today, too, briefly. Joseph Okoronkwo is showing up with SEC size. Sterling Dixon stood out to me today, athletically. He moves almost like a DB with his burst and quickness. Watching QB Reese and senior JustinJefferson together, they have similarities. *** Finally, the QBs ... another good day during the media viewing periods. Again, keep in mind, they aren't throwing against a defense, just air. But all four scholarship players continue to deliver the ball with accuracy and zip. Throwing to the TEs, they work on a variety of routes, some requiring touch, others more velocity but all four consistently delivered the ball well. The order of work, for what it's worth: Jalen Milroe, Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, Dylan Lonergan.
We're also absolutely in "get the numerical roster chart out" to figure out who a lot of these guys are. Daniel Hill is a big ass running back, lawd.
I think it’s neat to see the assistant coaches speak, but just another reminder Saban isn’t coming back. :(
Need Jalen to take that next step, but in terms of overall talent and depth the QB room has some talented dudes.