šŸˆ Fall Camp, 2025: News, notes, observations : 'Meat Church' cooks BBQ for the Tide.

Really interested to see how Cuevas contributes this year.
I started thinking about names I've heard all summer while wondering if it deserved its own thread.

I've heard and read good things on him all summer. He's gained some size since last season which makes me hope we can get a receiving threat like OJ (good receiver in Cuevas!) AND is a blocking threat! He's getting close to 260.

Danny Lewis is one I want to see today: is he in black?
 


Wednesday Practice Observations:​

  • The Alabama quarterbacks showed good camaraderie with their teammates, high-fiving and keeping energy high. They worked through basic passing and handoff drills in the early portion of practice. Ty Simpson led the trio with Austin Mack and Keelon Russell alternating as the second quarterback through drills.
  • Alabama appears to have moved Red Morgan from the safety room into the cornerback room. The cornerbacks are one of the most physically impressive groups with freshman Dijon Lee standing tall at 6-4, 202 pounds.
  • The defensive linemen practiced a drill on getting inside leverage by attacking a man with a pad after releasing from a three-point stance. Alabama offseason transfer addition Steve Bolo Mboumoua had to do a couple more reps following position coach Freddie Roach’s orders.
  • Roach was animated at practice encouraging his players to play with intensity and stressing to the younger players that this is not high school any longer.
  • The tight ends practiced some blocking drills along with a few block release catches. This featured expected starter Josh Cuevas, who is entering his second year at Alabama after transferring from Washington.
  • Wide receiver Jalen Hale participated fully in the media viewing portion of practice with a massive brace on his knee. His work ethic has been complimented throughout the offseason and appears ready to challenge for a role in the offense.
  • Alabama freshman Kaleb Edwards participated in his first practice after joining the program in the summer. his 6-foot-6, 264 pound frame stands out among the other tight ends.
  • The WOLF linebackers worked on their speed and bending when turning a corner and not touching a pole. Qua Russaw is expected to be the starter of this group and did a solid job during the drill.
  • Inside Linebackers were split into two groups with Deontae Lawson, Justin Jefferson, Nikhai Hill-Green and Cayden Jones working seperated from Duke Johnson, Luke Metz, Abduall Sanders and QB Reese. The two groups, clearly separated by experience, were focused on run fits and striking blockers. Lawson participated fully in the media viewing portion of practice but sported a massive brace on his knee as he continues his recovery.
  • The offensive line went head-to-head with each other on blocking drills. Four of the starting five is all but official, but the left guard battle is something to keep an eye on between transfer Kam Dewberry, Geno VanDeMark and potentially Olaus Alinen.
  • Although Wilkin Formby seems to have locked down the starting right tackle spot, a lot of eyes will be on him this season after a subpar 2024 campaign. Coaches and teammates have said he’s made tremendous strides this offseason.
  • And speaking of big improvements, redshirt freshman defensive lineman Jeremiah Beaman looked like a force to be reckoned with during a blitzing drill that culminated in him knocking down the man holding the pad.
 
It was a comment made by Ballou during spring camp. It wasn't about how tough winter had been in workouts, it was about retention. He said (loosely phrased) "with what these guys have been though this winter none of them are quitting." It wasn't hard to read between the lines on the workouts; it was the retention.

Biggest takeaway from the winter workouts?

It went from DeBoer coaching a Saban team led by Milroe to DeBoer coaching a DeBoer team.

My takeaway from winter, spring, and summer? The atmosphere in the football building. (We can talk about talent and positions all day: that encompasses a lot from my point of view.)

We gonna see DeBoer in New York this December?
 
I wouldn't read too much into it...
Yep. Getting a few "caveats" with a guy here and there...text mentioned Lawson's brace and its size earlier and was following by "he's moving really well." A couple, "he's in white/crimson because its drill work." IE: Danny.

I gotta couple "so this Kaleb Edwards kid..." Rico caught media attention today. That's working out. Another TE's name I can't recall was texted to me...true frosh looking sharp. Geez...can't pull the name.
 
Cam Calhoun move up the depth chart at HUSKY? Been thinkin' about this ...

The way I understand (and remember?), Morgan was penciled in at corner (partly due to size) in spring when Kirkpatrick showed he was ready at Husky. I say penciled in, because it wasn't finalized at the time and regardless they are going to keep him ready to slide back if/when needed.
 
The way I understand (and remember?), Morgan was penciled in at corner (partly due to size) in spring when Kirkpatrick showed he was ready at Husky. I say penciled in, because it wasn't finalized at the time and regardless they are going to keep him ready to slide back if/when needed.
I'm thinking right now we're in a 1A / 1 B, then 2 with Jones and Calhoun shuffling and Red in the wings. I'm entertaining the idea that Cam and Red flip positions with Red #2 behind Jackson.

...all the time wondering where Dijon fits in when I have him as #2 behind Zabian Brown.
 
The "rule" was changed, if you will, quite a while ago. It's "suggested" by the NCAA those 'rules' are followed. But, roster sizes have had their say when a team could suit up more than 99. Then 0 came back in...

As as understand this it's more important to let the official know if there's a tackle eligible situation than to tell them 87 (in this case a guy like Lewis) is in a tackle role.

OFF the top of my head:

All the starting OL are in the 70's. In the two's, I think VanDeMark is 56.
Skills are single digits.
TE's are 80's.
QB's are in the teens (there's a #10.)
RB's are single digit and 20's.

Pretty traditional roster overall ...
Why the numbering system has changed.

1. The ratio of possible numbers to players wasn’t balanced. There are 19 possible numbers 1-19 for 3 positions QB, K and P).
2. The ratio of numbers for OL, DL and LB - numbers 50 - 79 - allowed 30 numbers for 10-11 positions

As numbers were retired, it made it difficult to have enough numbers for everyone (also why there can be two players with the same number on the same team).
 
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