Alabama welcomed in 15 early enrollees in January. Several of those newcomers have already made a promising start to their Crimson Tide careers. Here’s a look at Alabama’s top-performing true freshmen from spring camp.
Deonte Lawson, ILB
Alabama’s long list of absences on A-Day provided a few first-team opportunities for young players. Chief among those was Deonte Lawson, who started alongside Jaylen Moody on the White team (first-team defense) as Christian Harris and Shane Lee were unavailable for the scrimmage.
Lawson recorded four tackles, including one for a loss, with two pass breakups and a fumble recovery. Following the game, he was named as one of nine recipients for the Ozzie Newsome Most Improved Freshman Award.
Lawson, 6-foot-2, 217 pounds, joined Alabama as the No. 65 overall player and No. 2 inside linebacker in the 2021 class. The Mobile, Ala. native will still likely be behind both Harris and Lee once they return to the fold. His place on the depth chart might also be affected by the potential arrival of Tennessee linebacker Henry To'o To'o, who is considering a transfer to Alabama.
Many of Alabama’s former stars at the linebacker position began their career on special teams. Due to the Tide’s depth at the position, Lawson could follow down that path during his freshman season. Still, the athletic linebacker figures to be an important piece to Alabama’s defense for years to come.
“Deontae Lawson, man, he’s a freshman that just came in here and he’s been improving a lot,” Moody said following the A-Day game. “Been learning, been making tremendous improvement every day, coming to work every day, asking all the questions that he needs to make sure that he learns the playbook. You saw it today. He made a couple plays out there. He’s gonna keep improving, and we’re gonna keep going so that we can have him ready for the upcoming season.”
Jalen Milroe, QB
Perhaps the most disappointing absence on A-Day came in Jalen Milroe, who was unable to put a bow on what has been a productive spring camp. While the four-star quarterback wasn’t on hand to display his dual-threat athleticism inside Bryant-Denny Stadium over the weekend, he generated rave reviews following Alabama’s second scrimmage where sources told BamaInsider that he made several big plays with both his arm and his feet.
Milroe comes to Alabama as the No. 76 overall player and No. 3 dual-threat quarterback in this year’s class. Over three varsity seasons of high school, he combined for 5,400 yards and 53 touchdowns to 14 interceptions while adding 1,208 yards and 22 more touchdowns on the ground.
“He’s really athletic,” head coach Nick Saban said of Milroe on National Signing Day in February. “He’s really accurate as a passer. He’s got a strong arm. He’s got a really good disposition about himself as a leader and a great personality that I think people can sort of follow.”
While Bryce Young seemingly locked up the starting quarterback position with his MVP performance on A-Day, redshirt sophomore Paul Tyson was less convincing, perhaps leaving the door open for Milroe to compete with him for the No. 2 role in the fall.
Agiye Hall, WR
No one created more buzz during A-Day than Agiye Hall, who made multiple highlights while reeling in four receptions for 72 yards. Despite working with the Crimson team (second-team offense) during the scrimmage, the 6-foot-3, 195-pound receiver has the talent to compete for a starting spot this fall.
“He makes a lot of contested catches,” Saban said of Hall following A-Day. “He’s got great size. He’s got really some explosive speed that I think we need. We need some guys to complement John Metchie when he gets back. We are pleased with his progress. He had a really good spring.”
Hall comes to Alabama as the No. 71 overall player and No. 14 receiver in this year’s class. He’s one of four Rivals100 receivers the Tide signed in its latest recruiting cycle, joining fellow early enrollees Ja’Corey Brooks and Christian Leary as well as JoJo Earle, who is set to join the team this summer.
Alabama loses two likely first-rounders in DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle this offseason. However, for Hall to earn first-team action this fall, he’ll have to fight for his spot.
The Tide returns Metchie, who finished second on the team in receiving last season, and Slade Bolden, who filled in admirably for an injured Waddle in the slot. In addition, Alabama also saw productive springs from redshirt junior Xavier Williams and sophomores Javon Baker and Traeshon Holden.
Still, Hall certainly made his case this spring.
Ga’Quincy McKinstry, DB
Ga’Quincy McKinstry went viral for the butt-chewing he received from Saban during A-Day as the head coach scolded him for walking on the field. Other than that, the five-star freshman put together a standout performance during the scrimmage.
McKinstry recorded an interception, a fumble recovery, a pass deflection and three tackles, including one for a loss during A-Day. His interception ultimately set up the White team’s winning drive in the fourth quarter.
McKinstry comes to Alabama as the top cornerback in this year’s class. While the 6-foot-1, 180-pound defensive back worked with the second-team defense over the weekend, he’s one of the several players in the mix to compete for the opening at cornerback vacated by All-American Patrick Surtain II.
Last year, Alabama saw freshman Malachi Moore earn the starting role at the Star position. If McKinstry continues at his current pace, it won’t be long until he earns first-team action as well.
“Every day Coach Saban gets on him about getting better and he feeds off of it,” safety Jordan Battle said of McKinstry following the scrimmage. “Every day he gets better with trying to get things corrected and today showed that he’s made a lot of improvement and he made a lot of plays out there.”
Tommy Brockermeyer/J.C. Latham OL
Offensive line wasn’t the high-point of Alabama’s spring camp as the Tide lost three starters from last year’s unit while seeing a fourth starter in Emil Ekiyor Jr. as well as Pierce Quick sit out camp with an injury. Despite the struggles, Saban expressed optimism in the unit, stating that he believes Alabama will have a “pretty good group” once everyone returns to health
There’s also plenty of room for improvement among the Tide’s younger players, especially it’s two five-star freshmen tackles in Tommy Brockermeyer and JC Latham. During the A-Day scrimmage, both freshmen started for the Crimson team (second-team offense) with Brockermeyer working at left tackle and Latham working at right tackle.
Earlier this month, Saban commented on both players, stating they benefited from sticking to one spot on the line after initially bouncing around in several positions at the beginning of camp.
“There’s a lot going on out there,” Saban said at the time. “We’re doing a lot of stuff on defense, especially when the twos play against the ones, so they’re probably seeing as much as they’re ever gonna see, but that’s good experience for them. I think they’ll improve, and we’ve got a lot of confidence that they can improve.”
Alabama likely has three of its starting spots set for next season as Evan Neal is set to take on the left tackle spot while Chris Owens should take over at center and Eikyor should retain his spot at guard. It’s unlikely both Brockermeyer and Latham will both earn first-team roles to start the season. However, it isn’t out of the question that one of them will land a starting spot.
Deonte Lawson, ILB
Alabama’s long list of absences on A-Day provided a few first-team opportunities for young players. Chief among those was Deonte Lawson, who started alongside Jaylen Moody on the White team (first-team defense) as Christian Harris and Shane Lee were unavailable for the scrimmage.
Lawson recorded four tackles, including one for a loss, with two pass breakups and a fumble recovery. Following the game, he was named as one of nine recipients for the Ozzie Newsome Most Improved Freshman Award.
Lawson, 6-foot-2, 217 pounds, joined Alabama as the No. 65 overall player and No. 2 inside linebacker in the 2021 class. The Mobile, Ala. native will still likely be behind both Harris and Lee once they return to the fold. His place on the depth chart might also be affected by the potential arrival of Tennessee linebacker Henry To'o To'o, who is considering a transfer to Alabama.
Many of Alabama’s former stars at the linebacker position began their career on special teams. Due to the Tide’s depth at the position, Lawson could follow down that path during his freshman season. Still, the athletic linebacker figures to be an important piece to Alabama’s defense for years to come.
“Deontae Lawson, man, he’s a freshman that just came in here and he’s been improving a lot,” Moody said following the A-Day game. “Been learning, been making tremendous improvement every day, coming to work every day, asking all the questions that he needs to make sure that he learns the playbook. You saw it today. He made a couple plays out there. He’s gonna keep improving, and we’re gonna keep going so that we can have him ready for the upcoming season.”
Jalen Milroe, QB
Perhaps the most disappointing absence on A-Day came in Jalen Milroe, who was unable to put a bow on what has been a productive spring camp. While the four-star quarterback wasn’t on hand to display his dual-threat athleticism inside Bryant-Denny Stadium over the weekend, he generated rave reviews following Alabama’s second scrimmage where sources told BamaInsider that he made several big plays with both his arm and his feet.
Milroe comes to Alabama as the No. 76 overall player and No. 3 dual-threat quarterback in this year’s class. Over three varsity seasons of high school, he combined for 5,400 yards and 53 touchdowns to 14 interceptions while adding 1,208 yards and 22 more touchdowns on the ground.
“He’s really athletic,” head coach Nick Saban said of Milroe on National Signing Day in February. “He’s really accurate as a passer. He’s got a strong arm. He’s got a really good disposition about himself as a leader and a great personality that I think people can sort of follow.”
While Bryce Young seemingly locked up the starting quarterback position with his MVP performance on A-Day, redshirt sophomore Paul Tyson was less convincing, perhaps leaving the door open for Milroe to compete with him for the No. 2 role in the fall.
Agiye Hall, WR
No one created more buzz during A-Day than Agiye Hall, who made multiple highlights while reeling in four receptions for 72 yards. Despite working with the Crimson team (second-team offense) during the scrimmage, the 6-foot-3, 195-pound receiver has the talent to compete for a starting spot this fall.
“He makes a lot of contested catches,” Saban said of Hall following A-Day. “He’s got great size. He’s got really some explosive speed that I think we need. We need some guys to complement John Metchie when he gets back. We are pleased with his progress. He had a really good spring.”
Hall comes to Alabama as the No. 71 overall player and No. 14 receiver in this year’s class. He’s one of four Rivals100 receivers the Tide signed in its latest recruiting cycle, joining fellow early enrollees Ja’Corey Brooks and Christian Leary as well as JoJo Earle, who is set to join the team this summer.
Alabama loses two likely first-rounders in DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle this offseason. However, for Hall to earn first-team action this fall, he’ll have to fight for his spot.
The Tide returns Metchie, who finished second on the team in receiving last season, and Slade Bolden, who filled in admirably for an injured Waddle in the slot. In addition, Alabama also saw productive springs from redshirt junior Xavier Williams and sophomores Javon Baker and Traeshon Holden.
Still, Hall certainly made his case this spring.
Ga’Quincy McKinstry, DB
Ga’Quincy McKinstry went viral for the butt-chewing he received from Saban during A-Day as the head coach scolded him for walking on the field. Other than that, the five-star freshman put together a standout performance during the scrimmage.
McKinstry recorded an interception, a fumble recovery, a pass deflection and three tackles, including one for a loss during A-Day. His interception ultimately set up the White team’s winning drive in the fourth quarter.
McKinstry comes to Alabama as the top cornerback in this year’s class. While the 6-foot-1, 180-pound defensive back worked with the second-team defense over the weekend, he’s one of the several players in the mix to compete for the opening at cornerback vacated by All-American Patrick Surtain II.
Last year, Alabama saw freshman Malachi Moore earn the starting role at the Star position. If McKinstry continues at his current pace, it won’t be long until he earns first-team action as well.
“Every day Coach Saban gets on him about getting better and he feeds off of it,” safety Jordan Battle said of McKinstry following the scrimmage. “Every day he gets better with trying to get things corrected and today showed that he’s made a lot of improvement and he made a lot of plays out there.”
Tommy Brockermeyer/J.C. Latham OL
Offensive line wasn’t the high-point of Alabama’s spring camp as the Tide lost three starters from last year’s unit while seeing a fourth starter in Emil Ekiyor Jr. as well as Pierce Quick sit out camp with an injury. Despite the struggles, Saban expressed optimism in the unit, stating that he believes Alabama will have a “pretty good group” once everyone returns to health
There’s also plenty of room for improvement among the Tide’s younger players, especially it’s two five-star freshmen tackles in Tommy Brockermeyer and JC Latham. During the A-Day scrimmage, both freshmen started for the Crimson team (second-team offense) with Brockermeyer working at left tackle and Latham working at right tackle.
Earlier this month, Saban commented on both players, stating they benefited from sticking to one spot on the line after initially bouncing around in several positions at the beginning of camp.
“There’s a lot going on out there,” Saban said at the time. “We’re doing a lot of stuff on defense, especially when the twos play against the ones, so they’re probably seeing as much as they’re ever gonna see, but that’s good experience for them. I think they’ll improve, and we’ve got a lot of confidence that they can improve.”
Alabama likely has three of its starting spots set for next season as Evan Neal is set to take on the left tackle spot while Chris Owens should take over at center and Eikyor should retain his spot at guard. It’s unlikely both Brockermeyer and Latham will both earn first-team roles to start the season. However, it isn’t out of the question that one of them will land a starting spot.
