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MOBILE, Ala. ā Believe it or not, Alabama coach Nick Saban didnāt grimace when he saw his former offensive coordinator, Brian Daboll, standing along the fence at the Senior Bowl on Wednesday afternoon. Although the two were together only one season before Daboll left for the same position with the Buffalo Bills, there appeared to be no animosity.
Saban spotted Daboll and the two shook hands and chatted amicably for a few moments before practice at the NFL scouting event here in South Alabama.
āHeās obviously ended up a lot better off for having come to our place,ā Saban said.
Daboll wasnāt the only thing Saban lost to the NFL after winning his fifth national championship at Alabama, though. Joining him on the field were a handful of his now former players showcasing their talents in front of pro scouts, general managers and coaches: center Bradley Bozeman, defensive end Da'Shawn Hand, cornerback Levi Wallace and punter JK Scott. Former linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton and cornerback Anthony Averett were there as well, although they werenāt competing because of injuries.
And those were just the players at the Senior Bowl. Thatās to say nothing of potential first-round picks defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick, defensive tackle Da'Ron Payne and wideout Calvin Ridley, who went out early for the draft. Longtime linebacker Rashaan Evans, running back Bo Scarbrough and defensive backs Hootie Jones and Tony Brown have all moved on as well.
Youād think that with so much roster upheaval, including 10 starters gone, and wholesale changes on the coaching staff, Saban might be concerned. But there wasnāt even a hint of that as he chided a reporter trying to get confirmation on some of the new assistant coaches.
Was it true that former receivers coach Mike Locksley had been promoted to offensive coordinator? What about defensive coordinator, where linebackers coach Tosh Lupoi feels like the heir apparent to Jeremy Pruitt, who left to become the head coach at Tennessee?
āIāll elaborate on it when Iām ready to elaborate on it,ā Saban said. āThatās called a release.ā
Sabanās coyness aside, thereās still so much thatās unclear about a team likely to be at or near the top of everyoneās preseason rankings.
The actual number of new starters next season might actually be 11 and not 10 if quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is able to unseat two-year starter Jalen Hurts. The true freshman from Hawaii came on in relief of Hurts in the national championship game and led the comeback against Georgia with three passing touchdowns. Hurts may have a 26-2 record as a starter, but good luck fending off Tagovailoaās momentum. Saban, for his part, said the morning after the championship that it isnāt āimperative to make (a decision) right now.ā
Hold on tight because that will be an interesting ride.
The one thing we know with certainty is that Alabama wonāt be lacking talent at any position.
On Tuesday, Bozeman confidently predicted next seasonās starters on the offensive line. Freshman Alex Leatherwood would start at left guard, he said, and Ross Pierschbacher would move to center.
āJonah [Williams] is a tackle,ā Bozeman said. āHe could easily play center, but heās a tackle.ā
Whether itās Jedrick Wills Jr., Lester Cotton or the handful of four- and five-star prospects on the bench, Bozeman knew the line will be just fine without him.
At Alabama, itās not so much rebuilding as it is reloading.
The OC: Tuscaloosa
ESPN has reported that current staffer Mike Locksley will be Nick Saban's seventh offensive coordinator since 2007:
NAMETIDE OCLEFT FOR
Major Applewhite2007Texas RBs coach
Jim McElwain2008-11Colorado State HC
Doug Nussmeier2012-13Michigan OC
Lane Kiffin2014-16FAU HC
Steve Sarkisian2017*Atlanta Falcons OC
Brian Daboll2017Buffalo Bills OC
*-Sarkisian coached only the national championship game after Kiffin departed
āThe guys keep buying into the process,ā Bozeman said. āEveryone, not just the starters. And those guys behind us, they pick up things from the older guys and keep developing their game throughout the season. Then when itās time for me to leave, itās time for someone else to step up.ā
Hand put it in more succinct terms: āAt Alabama, when your number is called up, itās never a case of youāre not ready to play.ā
You neednāt go back far to see evidence of that. Just this past season the defense was ravaged by injury when 10 different players missed a total of 47 starts. Still, Alabama allowed the fewest points per game in the FBS (11.93).
Wallace had never seen anything quite like it. He still doesnāt know where his helmet is after throwing it off celebrating the national championship, and he still isnāt sure how they pulled it off with so many key players missing.
Now he can look at the injuries and see a silver lining: All of those young guys who were forced into action early have experience they otherwise wouldnāt. Alabama played a total of 17 true freshmen last season, which was fourth-most in the FBS.
"For guys to have played so much this year -- even guys to play in the national championship -- theyāll definitely be ready for next year,ā Wallace said.
Wallace said there was talk among the defensive backs all season about what might lie ahead with all four starters probably departing. Sophomore and junior reserves were leading the freshmen, he explained, telling one another, āWe have to step up our act because these guys arenāt going to be here next year.ā
Asked who heās excited to see play next season, Wallace pointed to Deionte Thompson, Shyheim Carter, Xavier McKinney, Trevon Diggs and Kyriq McDonald.
āDefinitely Jared Mayden is one to keep an eye on,ā he said of the sophomore from Texas who played in seven games last season.
Hand, for his part, was unwilling to single out any one individual on the defensive line. With Payne gone, it could be Johnny Dwight or Raekwon Daviswho steps up to anchor the defense at nose guard.
Davis emerged late last season, showing rare burst for someone who checks in at 6-foot-7 and 315 pounds.
āHeās a big freak of nature,ā Hand said.
Asked who his preference was to take over at defensive coordinator, Hand deferred other than to say that Lupoi was a āhigh-energy guy.ā
āAlabama is always going to be fine, no matter what,ā he said. āIām not worried at all.ā
Hand might as well have been speaking for every preseason voter out there with Alabama ranked No. 1. As long as Saban is leading the charge, the Crimson Tide will get the benefit of the doubt, and with good reason.
Yes, both coordinators are gone, and double-digit starters are gone. But, the dynasty will roll on past the draft as it always has.
Massive roster and staff turnover at Alabama? No problem for Nick Saban
Saban spotted Daboll and the two shook hands and chatted amicably for a few moments before practice at the NFL scouting event here in South Alabama.
āHeās obviously ended up a lot better off for having come to our place,ā Saban said.
Daboll wasnāt the only thing Saban lost to the NFL after winning his fifth national championship at Alabama, though. Joining him on the field were a handful of his now former players showcasing their talents in front of pro scouts, general managers and coaches: center Bradley Bozeman, defensive end Da'Shawn Hand, cornerback Levi Wallace and punter JK Scott. Former linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton and cornerback Anthony Averett were there as well, although they werenāt competing because of injuries.
And those were just the players at the Senior Bowl. Thatās to say nothing of potential first-round picks defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick, defensive tackle Da'Ron Payne and wideout Calvin Ridley, who went out early for the draft. Longtime linebacker Rashaan Evans, running back Bo Scarbrough and defensive backs Hootie Jones and Tony Brown have all moved on as well.
Youād think that with so much roster upheaval, including 10 starters gone, and wholesale changes on the coaching staff, Saban might be concerned. But there wasnāt even a hint of that as he chided a reporter trying to get confirmation on some of the new assistant coaches.
Was it true that former receivers coach Mike Locksley had been promoted to offensive coordinator? What about defensive coordinator, where linebackers coach Tosh Lupoi feels like the heir apparent to Jeremy Pruitt, who left to become the head coach at Tennessee?
āIāll elaborate on it when Iām ready to elaborate on it,ā Saban said. āThatās called a release.ā
Sabanās coyness aside, thereās still so much thatās unclear about a team likely to be at or near the top of everyoneās preseason rankings.
The actual number of new starters next season might actually be 11 and not 10 if quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is able to unseat two-year starter Jalen Hurts. The true freshman from Hawaii came on in relief of Hurts in the national championship game and led the comeback against Georgia with three passing touchdowns. Hurts may have a 26-2 record as a starter, but good luck fending off Tagovailoaās momentum. Saban, for his part, said the morning after the championship that it isnāt āimperative to make (a decision) right now.ā
Hold on tight because that will be an interesting ride.
The one thing we know with certainty is that Alabama wonāt be lacking talent at any position.
On Tuesday, Bozeman confidently predicted next seasonās starters on the offensive line. Freshman Alex Leatherwood would start at left guard, he said, and Ross Pierschbacher would move to center.
āJonah [Williams] is a tackle,ā Bozeman said. āHe could easily play center, but heās a tackle.ā
Whether itās Jedrick Wills Jr., Lester Cotton or the handful of four- and five-star prospects on the bench, Bozeman knew the line will be just fine without him.
At Alabama, itās not so much rebuilding as it is reloading.
The OC: Tuscaloosa
ESPN has reported that current staffer Mike Locksley will be Nick Saban's seventh offensive coordinator since 2007:
NAMETIDE OCLEFT FOR
Major Applewhite2007Texas RBs coach
Jim McElwain2008-11Colorado State HC
Doug Nussmeier2012-13Michigan OC
Lane Kiffin2014-16FAU HC
Steve Sarkisian2017*Atlanta Falcons OC
Brian Daboll2017Buffalo Bills OC
*-Sarkisian coached only the national championship game after Kiffin departed
āThe guys keep buying into the process,ā Bozeman said. āEveryone, not just the starters. And those guys behind us, they pick up things from the older guys and keep developing their game throughout the season. Then when itās time for me to leave, itās time for someone else to step up.ā
Hand put it in more succinct terms: āAt Alabama, when your number is called up, itās never a case of youāre not ready to play.ā
You neednāt go back far to see evidence of that. Just this past season the defense was ravaged by injury when 10 different players missed a total of 47 starts. Still, Alabama allowed the fewest points per game in the FBS (11.93).
Wallace had never seen anything quite like it. He still doesnāt know where his helmet is after throwing it off celebrating the national championship, and he still isnāt sure how they pulled it off with so many key players missing.
Now he can look at the injuries and see a silver lining: All of those young guys who were forced into action early have experience they otherwise wouldnāt. Alabama played a total of 17 true freshmen last season, which was fourth-most in the FBS.
"For guys to have played so much this year -- even guys to play in the national championship -- theyāll definitely be ready for next year,ā Wallace said.
Wallace said there was talk among the defensive backs all season about what might lie ahead with all four starters probably departing. Sophomore and junior reserves were leading the freshmen, he explained, telling one another, āWe have to step up our act because these guys arenāt going to be here next year.ā
Asked who heās excited to see play next season, Wallace pointed to Deionte Thompson, Shyheim Carter, Xavier McKinney, Trevon Diggs and Kyriq McDonald.
āDefinitely Jared Mayden is one to keep an eye on,ā he said of the sophomore from Texas who played in seven games last season.
Hand, for his part, was unwilling to single out any one individual on the defensive line. With Payne gone, it could be Johnny Dwight or Raekwon Daviswho steps up to anchor the defense at nose guard.
Davis emerged late last season, showing rare burst for someone who checks in at 6-foot-7 and 315 pounds.
āHeās a big freak of nature,ā Hand said.
Asked who his preference was to take over at defensive coordinator, Hand deferred other than to say that Lupoi was a āhigh-energy guy.ā
āAlabama is always going to be fine, no matter what,ā he said. āIām not worried at all.ā
Hand might as well have been speaking for every preseason voter out there with Alabama ranked No. 1. As long as Saban is leading the charge, the Crimson Tide will get the benefit of the doubt, and with good reason.
Yes, both coordinators are gone, and double-digit starters are gone. But, the dynasty will roll on past the draft as it always has.
Massive roster and staff turnover at Alabama? No problem for Nick Saban
