The Crimson Tide have held seven spring practices and one scrimmage as Alabama moves closer to A-Day which is on April 13. Today, we provide you with a Hot 11 from spring ball, these are 11 players that have stood out during the first half of spring practice.
Xavier McKinney - Safety
McKinney who recorded 74 tackles last season enters his junior season as a veteran of the defensive secondary. Each practice observation period we’ve attended, McKinney is the safety demonstrating perfect practice drills under new safeties coach Charles Kelly. Nick Saban commented earlier this spring that McKinney was among the hardest workers during the 4th quarter program.
Phidarian Mathis - Defensive Lineman
Coming into this spring season, the question was which defensive tackle will rise up and replace Quinnen Williams? 6-foot-4, 317-pound redshirt sophomore Phidarian Mathis is alongside Raekwon Davis and LaBryan Ray working as the first-team defensive tackle and he looks very good. Mathis has received compliments from Saban as well as from new defensive line coach Brian Baker during practice.
Eyabi Anoma - Outside Linebacker
Anoma has really turned heads during the spring season. In early February of 2019 Anoma put his name in the transfer portal before speaking with Nick Saban and deciding to stay at Alabama. Saban recently commented that Anoma is making great progress not only on the field, but also in the classroom. With Terrell Lewis still dealing with his ACL recovery, the play of Anoma will be key for the Crimson Tide moving forward.
Mac Jones - Quarterback
Obviously, Tua Tagovailoa is the team’s starting quarterback, but there is currently a position battle for the number two quarterback. Recently, Jones may have set himself apart from freshmen Taulia Tagovialoa and Paul Tyson after his scrimmage performance where he threw one touchdown to Jerry Jeudy. Jones now a red-shirt sophomore continues to progress very well through and continues to demonstrate a good understanding of Steve Sarkisian’s offense.
Chris Owens - Offensive Lineman
At 6-foot-3 and 315 pounds, it looks like Alabama has their starting center in Chris Owens. Saban has been very complimentary of Owens this spring which is key for the Crimson Tide replacing Ross Pierschbacher. Owens has jumped right in with the ones and continues to make strides daily.
Slade Bolden - Receiver
Alabama returns the most dangerous set of receivers in the Country with Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, DeVonta Smith, and Jaylen Waddle all returning, and to add to the arsenal is Slade Bolden. Bolden runs very crisp routes and has shown to have excellent hands and this is great news for Crimson Tide fans as Bolden will provide even more quality depth for the receiving corps.
Jerome Ford - Running Back
While most of the talk regarding the running backs entering the spring season revolved around Najee Harris, Brian Robinson, and incoming freshman Trey Sanders, there was little talk about red-shirt freshman Jerome Ford. That all changed following Alabama’s first scrimmage as Ford looked to be the offensive player of the scrimmage. Ford dazzled with quality runs and showed good hands out of the backfield. This is great news for the running back room as competition makes the unit better.
Evan Neal - Offensive Lineman
We’ve mentioned his name multiple times this spring: towering true freshman Evan Neal at 6-foot-7 and 360 pounds is likely going to get plenty of playing time this spring and could even make a push for a starting role come August. Neal moves exceptionally well and has most importantly picked up the offense very quickly. The Five-star is more than living up to his Five-star status.
Giles Amos - Tight End
Coming into the spring season, Nick Saban commented that Alabama might look for a grad transfer at the tight end position to help replace Irv Smith Jr. This past Saturday during Alabama’s first scrimmage it was Giles Amos that was turning heads repping with the first team offense. Who you say? Amos is a 6-foot-4, 245 pounds senior out of Perry, Georgia that is a walk-on who saw time in 2018 against Louisiana and The Citadel. Could Amos land a scholarship as well as earn the first-team tight end position? Stay tuned…
Will Reichard - Kicker
Are the kicking woes over for Alabama? Maybe that is a little early to state, but true freshman Will Reichard looked good on Saturday according to our sources. During Saturday’s scrimmage Reichard who both kicks and punts hit a 40-yard field goal which made the crowd erupt. Reichard also missed a kick from around 35-yards out and his punts were nothing to get super excited about, but again, that was scrimmage number one.
Sal Sunseri - Outside Linebackers Coach
One of the biggest additions to Alabama’s roster is Sal Sunseri who coaches the outside linebackers. If you though Tosh Lupoi brought the energy, just wait until you see Sunseri coaching up the defense. What stands about most from his coaching style is the how detailed oriented he is, the wealth of knowledge is just incredible, and you can really see why Saban wanted him back at Alabama. Huge pick-up for the entire team.
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