Alabama’s first fall scrimmage offered an early look at where the Crimson Tide are already sharp and where the competition is still heating up.
The workout lasted two hours at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Thursday and included more than 100 plays, giving Kalen DeBoer plenty to evaluate across the roster. Afterward, the Alabama head coach pointed to several groups that made an impression, from the secondary to the backs and tight ends.
“I mean, there were times we had a couple tipped balls, so the DBs did a nice job making a play because they're picking it right up off the ground and those plays aren't always made - it wasn't just gimmes,” DeBoer said during the post-scrimmage press conference. “I thought there were some good plays where we had yards after the catch. I thought the running backs were chewing up some yards there and got better as the scrimmage went along.”
The defensive backfield has been one of Alabama’s most talked-about units all offseason, and Thursday’s scrimmage did nothing to quiet that buzz. Safety Keon Sabb said in the spring that the Crimson Tide could have the best secondary in the nation, and the projected group features Zabien Brown and Dijon Lee Jr. at corner, Sabb and Bray Hubbard at safety, and Red Morgan at Husky. Three of those players made one of the three Preseason All-SEC Teams, while the other two have a real shot at landing on postseason lists later on.
That said, the scrimmage wasn’t all defense. DeBoer also said some receivers found space behind the secondary, which matters for a wideout room that is going to look different from last season. Alabama has to replace two 2025 starters and build around Ryan Coleman-Williams, and with Lotzeir Brooks sidelined by injury and not playing Thursday, the door was open for others to make their case in the WR3 battle.
The run game also came away with some encouraging signs, even without freshman EJ Crowell. DeBoer said the backs had a solid day overall, and AK Dear was in the middle of what he called a “real nice scrimmage” before leaving early with an injury. Alabama’s issues in the run game last season weren’t just about blocking, but the line’s development still matters, and DeBoer said Thursday that the offensive line is “definitely not there yet,” though the group is becoming more cohesive.
“I think that they've done a nice job. So I thought the tight ends, as the scrimmage went along, got better. So getting guys in every snap that we take, it matters, especially with the younger guys across the board on our football team.”
DeBoer also singled out the defensive line for its steadiness, saying, “So I think our D-line's just been really consistent, I don't want to take that for granted, so I should mention that. I have an expectation for them.”
That unit is set for a major reset in 2026 under Freddie Roach, with all of last season’s starters and most of the reserves gone. For now, though, the top of the rotation looks settled, with USC transfer Devan Thompkins at Bandit, Oregon transfer Terrance Green at nose tackle and returning sophomore London Simmons at defensive tackle.
Behind them, Alabama has depth options in Edric Hill, Jeremiah Beaman, Kedrick Bingley-Jones and others.
Tight end was another area DeBoer liked as the scrimmage wore on. Sophomore Kaleb Edwards appears positioned to be the starting “Y” tight end and a pass-catching option after earning All-SEC Freshman honors in 2025.
Oklahoma State transfer Josh Ford is expected to handle the blocking “U” tight end role and has drawn strong reviews from DeBoer and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb throughout the offseason. Sophomore Marshall Pritchett is also expected to have a role after making the most of his limited action last season.
In Other News...
Alabamas First Scrimmage May Have Quietly Settled Multiple Starting Jobs
Alabamas first fall camp scrimmage may not have produced any public declarations, but it did offer some clues about where the depth chart is starting to firm up. Kalen DeBoer pointed to consistency in the offensive line rotation, a sign that the staff may already have a better sense of who belongs with the first unit as the Tide move deeper into August. On a roster still sorting out key spots, even that kind of steady usage can feel meaningful.
The same was true on defense, where the linebacker picture got a little clearer around the Stinger position next to Caleb Woodson. The quarterback battle, though, remains very much alive, even if Keelon Russell drew the more favorable review from the scrimmage. Alabama still has real decisions ahead, but the first live look of camp at least suggested a few jobs are beginning to separate from the pack. [Read more 🡒]
Alabamas Backfield Suddenly Has An Opening A Young RB Can Seize
Alabamas first fall camp scrimmage brought a little more uncertainty to the backfield than the staff probably wanted, even if the long-term outlook still appears manageable. Freshman running back EJ Crowell was held out with an injury, and while he may need to miss more practice time, it is not expected to affect his availability once the games begin.
The more immediate opening may belong to Trae'shawn Brown, the freshman who has drawn notice throughout spring and fall work for the way he has practiced and handled himself around the staff and teammates. With the backfield still sorting itself out and AK Dear also dealing with an ankle issue that will be evaluated further, Brown has a chance to keep pushing for a role if he can keep stacking productive days in camp. [Read more 🡒]