A few team nuggets heading into the weekend. In case you missed it, April 17 will be A-Day. Biggest question I continue to get when asked about A-Day is whether Alabama will really have a spring game in 2021. My thought is this: They just played a 13-game season, so I strongly feel Alabama can navigate through the spring football period.
The actual start date of spring football is March 19. Remember, there is no spring break this year, so stay tuned for an exact spring practice date, these dates are TBA.
The offensive players really enjoy Bill O’Brien from what I gather. He is an offensive wizard and has already done a good job on the recruiting front as well. I heard that O’Brien and new offensive line coach Doug Marrone are roommates during this time until their families move to Tuscaloosa.
I continue to hear incredible things about David Ballou and Dr. Matt Rhea and what an upgrade these two have been from the previous strength staff. I don’t think you can point all the injuries Alabama players had in the past on the previous staff, but look at last season: Ballou and Dr. Matt Rhea had a mission to focus on injury prevention and that is what we saw throughout a gauntlet of a season.
Two early enrollees I hear have stood out are Christian Leary and Ga’Quincy McKinstry. Leary has already received high praise on his speed and while he is likely behind Slade Bolden at the slot position going into spring; Leary has another gear speed wise that will be hard to keep him off the field.
As far as McKinstry, he’s just showed up with an attitude wanting to go to work. I feel that Alabama will have a position battle at the corner position this season opposite of Josh Jobe and while I like JC transfer Khyree Jackson, the corner that has yet to arrive on campus, that position is up for grabs.
On the new defensive backs coach. I have been told that Alabama is close to making a hire. There have been reports out there that Texas DB coach Jay Valai is a candidate. I would expect an announcement sometime soon.
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