By Tony Tsoukalas
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama players returned outside for their second practice of fall camp on Friday. Players donned shorts and shells for the second straight day under muggy, 84-degree weather.
Here are some notes from what we saw during the media viewing period:
— After splitting time at both cornerback and safety on Thursday, Minkah Fitzpatrick worked exclusively with the cornerbacks during individual and team drills. Trevon Diggs, who replaced Fitzpatrick during the spring, was also working exclusively with the corners.
— Media only got a brief look at the secondary during team drills before reporters were escorted off the field. Alabama started out of its base formation, with Fitzpatrick and Anthony Averett at the two cornerback positions and Hootie Jones and Ronnie Harrison at the safety positions.
— We were able to see one rep where Alabama used five defensive backs. Interestingly enough, Jones moved inside the box as the fifth defensive back, while Deionte Thompson took his spot at safety. It’s worth noting that Tony Brown, the typical starter at STAR, was present and participating during practice. However, he was resting at the beginning of team drills. It’s probably too short of a sample size to make any assumptions.
— Reporters were being ushered out by the time the second unit took part in the drill, but we did catch Xavier McKinney come in to replace Jones as the fifth defensive back. Once again, this is probably a package Alabama is working on, and we will need to wait until later in preseason to make further evaluations.
— Alabama’s first unit on defensive line consisted of Da’Shawn Hand, Da’Ron Payne Joshua Frazier and Raekwon Davis. The next unit featured Isaiah Buggs, Jamar King, Johnny Dwight and Quinnen Williams. The third group consisted of Vohn Keith Jr., Taylor Wilson, LaBryan Ray and Daniel Powell.
— I didn’t catch which group Phidarian Mathis was in, but he was participating in practice as well. The four-star freshman defensive tackle is listed at 6-4, 306 pounds and looks every bit at big in person.
— Davis and Buggs seem to be really pushing themselves for the final starting defensive end position. During footwork drills, the two were audibly exerting themselves, working to the very end of each rep.
— Davis had to be braced by a teammate who jokingly told him to “slow down.” Buggs then followed just as hard right behind, exclaiming “Trying to make something happen.”
— After practicing with the defensive line on Thursday, freshman Kedrick James was back with the tight ends on Friday.
— I didn’t get to look too much at the outside linebackers last practice, so I spent some extra time there today. The first thing that jumps out to me is the size of freshman Christopher Allen. Listed at 6-4, 239 pounds the former four-star is even bigger than fellow true freshman Dylan Moses and is just as ripped. Freshman VanDarius Cowan 6-4, 236 pounds, is also impressive to watch.
— At the inside linebacker position, Shaun Dion Hamilton’s size also jumps out but for different reasons than Allen. Hamilton is listed at 6-foot, 235 pounds and appears to a lot slimmer than last year. The inside linebackers were working on drop backs during the end of practice, and it’s easy to see how Hamilton’s leaner build could help in in coverage. Despite the brace on his leg, Hamilton was very fluid in his movement during the drills.
— The first unit offensive line stayed the same, as Alabama lined up with Jonah Williams, Ross Pierschbacher, Bradley Bozeman, Lester Cotton and Matt Womack. Alex Leatherwood was the backup at right tackle. I have continued to predict Leatherwood will eventually take over the starting spot, but it is worth noting that Womack also looks impressive. Like Alabama head coach Nick Saban said on Thursday, it’s hard to tell much about the offensive line without pads.
— Watching the receivers, Devonta Smith continues to catch my eye. The summer enrollee looked like he was moving in fast forward during footwork drills. If he continues that type of agility and explosiveness, don’t be surprised if Alabama finds a spot for him on the field in some way or another.
Highlights From Practice No. 2
Quick Takes From Hendo
*Rashaan Evans looked great today, watched him for a while. He was leading the linebacking corps.
*Right after him was Shaun Dion Hamilton and as you’ll see from my film, he looks to be moving very well
*Keith Holcombe and Dylan Moses were next in line and each always looks capable of knocking someone’s head off. Moses is just such a big dude.
*Caught some Calvin Ridley today and to me it’s like watching someone in an NFL uniform already, just incredible body control
*This might be my biggest takeaway from today, Jedrick Wills looks outstanding and in my opinion, he looks a few steps faster and overall better than Matt Womack, at least today he did.
*Lester Cotton looks a little more in shape, but still massive and I get the feeling he’s going to have a big season
*Ben Davis and Anfernee Jennings are two players I likely do not talk about much, but I have great respect for the way they work, especially in this August heat, both get after it.
*Minkah, again just really stands out in the crowd, moves like a true next level player, so seasoned
*Isaiah Buggs ran right towards us today, watch out as he’s going to really shine
*Da’Ron Payne can move! Watch the film when he is working the bags, just blown away
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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama players returned outside for their second practice of fall camp on Friday. Players donned shorts and shells for the second straight day under muggy, 84-degree weather.
Here are some notes from what we saw during the media viewing period:
— After splitting time at both cornerback and safety on Thursday, Minkah Fitzpatrick worked exclusively with the cornerbacks during individual and team drills. Trevon Diggs, who replaced Fitzpatrick during the spring, was also working exclusively with the corners.
— Media only got a brief look at the secondary during team drills before reporters were escorted off the field. Alabama started out of its base formation, with Fitzpatrick and Anthony Averett at the two cornerback positions and Hootie Jones and Ronnie Harrison at the safety positions.
— We were able to see one rep where Alabama used five defensive backs. Interestingly enough, Jones moved inside the box as the fifth defensive back, while Deionte Thompson took his spot at safety. It’s worth noting that Tony Brown, the typical starter at STAR, was present and participating during practice. However, he was resting at the beginning of team drills. It’s probably too short of a sample size to make any assumptions.
— Reporters were being ushered out by the time the second unit took part in the drill, but we did catch Xavier McKinney come in to replace Jones as the fifth defensive back. Once again, this is probably a package Alabama is working on, and we will need to wait until later in preseason to make further evaluations.
— Alabama’s first unit on defensive line consisted of Da’Shawn Hand, Da’Ron Payne Joshua Frazier and Raekwon Davis. The next unit featured Isaiah Buggs, Jamar King, Johnny Dwight and Quinnen Williams. The third group consisted of Vohn Keith Jr., Taylor Wilson, LaBryan Ray and Daniel Powell.
— I didn’t catch which group Phidarian Mathis was in, but he was participating in practice as well. The four-star freshman defensive tackle is listed at 6-4, 306 pounds and looks every bit at big in person.
— Davis and Buggs seem to be really pushing themselves for the final starting defensive end position. During footwork drills, the two were audibly exerting themselves, working to the very end of each rep.
— Davis had to be braced by a teammate who jokingly told him to “slow down.” Buggs then followed just as hard right behind, exclaiming “Trying to make something happen.”
— After practicing with the defensive line on Thursday, freshman Kedrick James was back with the tight ends on Friday.
— I didn’t get to look too much at the outside linebackers last practice, so I spent some extra time there today. The first thing that jumps out to me is the size of freshman Christopher Allen. Listed at 6-4, 239 pounds the former four-star is even bigger than fellow true freshman Dylan Moses and is just as ripped. Freshman VanDarius Cowan 6-4, 236 pounds, is also impressive to watch.
— At the inside linebacker position, Shaun Dion Hamilton’s size also jumps out but for different reasons than Allen. Hamilton is listed at 6-foot, 235 pounds and appears to a lot slimmer than last year. The inside linebackers were working on drop backs during the end of practice, and it’s easy to see how Hamilton’s leaner build could help in in coverage. Despite the brace on his leg, Hamilton was very fluid in his movement during the drills.
— The first unit offensive line stayed the same, as Alabama lined up with Jonah Williams, Ross Pierschbacher, Bradley Bozeman, Lester Cotton and Matt Womack. Alex Leatherwood was the backup at right tackle. I have continued to predict Leatherwood will eventually take over the starting spot, but it is worth noting that Womack also looks impressive. Like Alabama head coach Nick Saban said on Thursday, it’s hard to tell much about the offensive line without pads.
— Watching the receivers, Devonta Smith continues to catch my eye. The summer enrollee looked like he was moving in fast forward during footwork drills. If he continues that type of agility and explosiveness, don’t be surprised if Alabama finds a spot for him on the field in some way or another.
Highlights From Practice No. 2
Quick Takes From Hendo
*Rashaan Evans looked great today, watched him for a while. He was leading the linebacking corps.
*Right after him was Shaun Dion Hamilton and as you’ll see from my film, he looks to be moving very well
*Keith Holcombe and Dylan Moses were next in line and each always looks capable of knocking someone’s head off. Moses is just such a big dude.
*Caught some Calvin Ridley today and to me it’s like watching someone in an NFL uniform already, just incredible body control
*This might be my biggest takeaway from today, Jedrick Wills looks outstanding and in my opinion, he looks a few steps faster and overall better than Matt Womack, at least today he did.
*Lester Cotton looks a little more in shape, but still massive and I get the feeling he’s going to have a big season
*Ben Davis and Anfernee Jennings are two players I likely do not talk about much, but I have great respect for the way they work, especially in this August heat, both get after it.
*Minkah, again just really stands out in the crowd, moves like a true next level player, so seasoned
*Isaiah Buggs ran right towards us today, watch out as he’s going to really shine
*Da’Ron Payne can move! Watch the film when he is working the bags, just blown away
The Latest
3-2-1 - What we learned from Day 1
Video: Day 1 Recap, Saban talks Da'Shawn Hand, Hurts talks Daboll
Practice Report No. 1
Jalen Hurts' leadership apparent on Day 1 of fall camp
Saban sounds off on Da'Shawn Hand arrest
Photo Gallery from Day 1
Alabama No. 1 in preseason coaches poll
Preseason Practice Primer - Camp Opens Today
Alabama Football Depth Chart
Alabama boasts 12 players working towards second degrees
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