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

Happy Opening Day of Fall Camp Day to all who celebrate! I'll share this non-surprising for now… The staff apparently really likes this team and likes where this team is at mentally and physically as the calendar gets ready to turn to August. A long time DeBoer assistant recently stated that this is easily the most talented team that DeBoer (and he) have ever had. He didn't make any predictions that I'm aware of but indicated that this group could be special.

They obviously like what they've got to work with and they've shown in the past that they can do a lot with a much less. Yes, the SEC is a different animal, an animal that made a strong introduction and impression on the staff last season... but it's good to hear that they are full speed ahead and happy with the crew and direction as we head into the '25 season.
 
Happy Opening Day of Fall Camp Day to all who celebrate! I'll share this non-surprising for now… The staff apparently really likes this team and likes where this team is at mentally and physically as the calendar gets ready to turn to August. A long time DeBoer assistant recently stated that this is easily the most talented team that DeBoer (and he) have ever had. He didn't make any predictions that I'm aware of but indicated that this group could be special.

They obviously like what they've got to work with and they've shown in the past that they can do a lot with a much less. Yes, the SEC is a different animal, an animal that made a strong introduction and impression on the staff last season... but it's good to hear that they are full speed ahead and happy with the crew and direction as we head into the '25 season.
Sir, Jeremy here .

How physical you think this team will be? Will it be similar to joyless murder ball on both sides?!
 
Happy Opening Day of Fall Camp Day to all who celebrate! I'll share this non-surprising for now… The staff apparently really likes this team and likes where this team is at mentally and physically as the calendar gets ready to turn to August. A long time DeBoer assistant recently stated that this is easily the most talented team that DeBoer (and he) have ever had. He didn't make any predictions that I'm aware of but indicated that this group could be special.

They obviously like what they've got to work with and they've shown in the past that they can do a lot with a much less. Yes, the SEC is a different animal, an animal that made a strong introduction and impression on the staff last season... but it's good to hear that they are full speed ahead and happy with the crew and direction as we head into the '25 season.
I guess I have to be the cynic now?
 
I heard the fourth quarter workouts was intense and fiery.... They weren't playing around after what happened last season.

People who wasn't buying into the culture are now gone.

Where did I hear this from? Oh nevermind it was @Brandon Van de Graaff I believe. So if it's true, this bodes well for this fall. Hopefully we will see more disciplined team on and off the field.
 
Sir, Jeremy here .

How physical you think this team will be? Will it be similar to joyless murder ball on both sides?!

On offense, Shephard demands it for his WR’s, so I expect some improvement there. There won’t be a bunch of Kendrick Law’s who just bulldog people, but it should be better. I’m not concerned about the OL either in that area, but I do want to see Booker’s leadership void filled. Some good leaders still there, but the more quiet, head down, type. Every OL needs a Booker. Or a Dickerson. Someone who leads with their play and their words. Who steps up there?

The defense rounded into a pretty stingy bunch by the end of last season… this year, most are back and the younger guys won’t have to go through the “growing up” phase. I expect a lot out of them. I really like the depth as a whole and the athleticism on the back end. I like the experience up front. Wommack isn’t likely to have too many better defenses than this one (in terms of talent and depth), so I’m looking forward to seeing what he can get out of them. As for 2 players, really hope Overton and Russaw take that next step. And I hope Collin’s can make an impact as well.
 
I heard the fourth quarter workouts was intense and fiery.... They weren't playing around after what happened last season.

People who wasn't buying into the culture are now gone.

Where did I hear this from? Oh nevermind it was @Brandon Van de Graaff I believe. So if it's true, this bodes well for this fall. Hopefully we will see more disciplined team on and off the field.

I think Terry posted that and someone else confirmed, but yes. DeBoer changed some things up in January (not unusual) and one of them was turning up the dial on S&C workouts.
 
On offense, Shepard demands it for his WR’s, so I expect some improvement there. There won’t be a bunch of Kendrick Law’s who just bulldog people, but it should be better. I’m not concerned about the OL either in that area, but I do want to see Booker’s leadership void filled. Some good leaders still there, but the more quiet, head down, type. Every OL needs a Booker. Or a Dickerson. Someone who leads with their play and their words. Who steps up there?

The defense rounded into a pretty stingy bunch by the end of last season… this year, most are back and the younger guys won’t have to go through the “growing up” phase. I expect a lot out of them. I really like the depth as a whole and the athleticism on the back end. I like the experience up front. Wommack isn’t likely to have too many better defenses than this one (in terms of talent and depth), so I’m looking forward to seeing what he can get out of them. As for 2 players, really hope Overton and Russaw take that next step. And I hope Collin’s can make an impact as well.
Sir, follow up question here. Who do you think will be the impact player on offense and defense? Someone who's going to make immediate contributions on weekly basis?
 
I guess I have to be the cynic now?

.A lot can (and probably will) go sideways, just have to navigate though it. But injuries (ill-times and/or long term), an always tough schedule, breaking in a new QB, unknowns on special teams, etc... You can have the fastest race car and still finish 40th, but at least on paper, before the race, you have a fast car.
 
Im confused?
Look at the starting OL. Everyone of them has a number in the 70s. In the “old days” (maybe before your time), numbers were assigned based on the position you played. 1-19 were QBs and kickers. 20-49 were backs (RBs and DBs - many played both ways). 50-59 were centers and LBs. 60-69 were guards and some LBs. 70-79 were OT and defensive linemen. 80-89 were receivers. There were exceptions (Jim Otto, Charley Taylor). This supposedly was done to help the referees with calling penalties.
 
Sir, follow up question here. Who do you think will be the impact player on offense and defense? Someone who's going to make immediate contributions on weekly basis?

Always a hard question to answer, especially before practices begin... but... on offense I've heard very positive reviews and expect big things out of Isiah Horton. A scouting friend loves him... he's not the fastest out there by any stretch, but a big, physical receiver who makes tough grabs and big plays. He's going to get some really good opportunities in this offense against the coverages he's going to see.

On defense, I'll go with James Smith. Another year stronger, had over 300 snaps last year... I think he makes some noise. But those guys on the backend are going to make plays... really excited about that group as a whole.
 
@TerryP please see the question above. What are you hearing about the winter workout and what stood out the most to you ?
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.)
 
Look at the starting OL. Everyone of them has a number in the 70s. In the “old days” (maybe before your time), numbers were assigned based on the position you played. 1-19 were QBs and kickers. 20-49 were backs (RBs and DBs - many played both ways). 50-59 were centers and LBs. 60-69 were guards and some LBs. 70-79 were OT and defensive linemen. 80-89 were receivers. There were exceptions (Jim Otto, Charley Taylor). This supposedly was done to help the referees with calling penalties.
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 ...
 
Same note, different subject, sort of...

I want to see how many of them are in black today. (Hell, how many total as I said yesterday.)

IF summer reports hold true and the light has come on for Rico? That's a scary four wide.

Big fan of Rico... those guys are either going to have to be major busts or lazy as shit to not flourish under Shephard. Rico seems to have it, athletically and between the ears. Love the overall depth there.

Rico for 6....
 
Rico seems to have it, athletically and between the ears.
Yeah, and then ... well. It's a consistency thing with the drops. The root of that? IE: Thinking about his next break before the ball is there? I don't know. His summer work has been top notch: "da light."

In my view I see him as saying, "I'm #4, #1 off the bench, and this is my podium." In a sense sort of like Ty taking his stage.
 
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