After Saturday’s scrimmage and Sunday’s Alabama Football Fan Day, the Crimson Tide is halfway through Fall Camp. Sunday’s work consisted of drills in full pads. Several Crimson Tide players were held out of what would have been a second straight day in pads. Most were dressed but restricted to stationary bike work including Tyler Booker, Jaeden Roberts, Jam Miller, Richard Young, Jihaad Campbell, and the still a long way from injury recovery, Jalen Hale.
Except for Hale, the only other Alabama player with a known injury is freshman running back, Daniel Hill. Hill’s left arm is in a sling. It is not expected to be serious, but there is no information on when you can return to practice. All the other ‘nicked-up’ guys should be back to full work quickly.
One more scrimmage is expected next weekend, after which there will be some clarity about starting roles. On Sunday, Geno VanDeMark filled in at left guard and Roq Montgomery was a right guard. Wilkin Formby still appears to have the edge over Elijah Pritchett at the right tackle. The only scholarship running back doing drills on Sunday was Jistice Haynes.
The current first-unit defense is Jah-Marien Latham, Tim Keenan III, Jaheim Oatis, Quandarrius Robinson, Deontae Lawson, Jordan Jefferson (in Campbell’s absence), Domani Brown, Zabien Brown, Malachi Moore, Keon Sabb and DeVonta Smith. Freshmen rotated in with the first-unit secondary, with Red Morgan still pushing Smith at the Husky position.
After Saturday’s impressive work, it has become obvious Ryan Williams will have a contributing role at wide receiver. Williams is not expected to start early in the season, but he will get lots of snaps, including possibly as punt returner. Fellow freshman, Caleb Downs has also shown his unusual talents are well-suited to at least certain offensive situations.
Halfway through Fall Camp, the biggest surprise has been the play of LT Overton. The Texas A&M transfer and former 5-star could become one of the Tide’s key Bandits this fall. He caused problems for Kadyn Proctor during Saturday’s scrimmage. The Aggies moved him inside and did not take advantage of his pass-rushing skills. Kane Wommack will not make that mistake.
Monday will be an off-day for the Crimson Tide. Fall Camp will continue on Tuesday with practice session No. 11.