š Fall Camp, 2025: News, notes, observations : 'Meat Church' cooks BBQ for the Tide.
- Thread starter TerryP
- Start date
Also apparently sporting a knee brace, which makes sense as he's working his way back from injury... told he doesn't look like a freshman out there, more like a RS JR.
Geez. He broke his clavicle in spring camp. He was one of the 15...
3:20 area ... the medicine ball. 
Justneedme81
Member
@TerryP on it..
www.al.com
Whoās going to hold for Alabama football on special teams? Some potential options
Alabama football will need a new holder in 2025 with James Burnip gone to the NFL.
Thin air
Nothing_But_A_Winner00
Member
I dont get it
Was simply an attempt at humor on my part.
TRANSCRIPT- 7/30 PRESSER
All right, good morning. Just finished one, right? And there should be all the energy at a high level and we had that. And the question is always going to be for the guys, as they just addressed them, is can they sustain it? That's what it
was in January when they brought the intensity. And early on, you could tell these guys were determined and that's been the challenge to them.
The question I keep asking them -- and asked them again -- is it's the season, it's the practice, it's the play, it's sustaining the intensity at the level from start to finish. But good day.
On how Deontae Lawson looked getting back on the field and playing with that brace
Yeah, yeah, he's -- his trajectory is going up. Deontae, his leadership is the thing I think that's really come out, so that's exciting. He is going to be limited in just the number of reps -- the volume, I guess is the best way to put it -- and what he can take, as expected. And that was going to be the plan, just with his timeline from the beginning.
But it's great having him out there. I think he feels really good about being out there mentally and physically. I think he's in a really good spot. But there's still progress to be made as we build for the first game.
On WR Jalen Hale's progress
Yeah, just Jalen Hale and where he was at a year ago with the injury, actually in the spring in 2024. Just a pretty significant injury at the time. And between he and our medical staff just doing an awesome job of pushing forward, our whole team is proud of him -- not just me. We talked about that in the winter during December. I remember addressing it with the team, guys being excited about having him out there finally doing some with the team.
And then the spring was the next step, and through the summer, and him out there. But there's reps that he hasn't taken -- banked reps that other guys have. And so, he's still learning as we go. And every rep, he's going to get more and more confident. But he's certainly got a lot of tools and want to see his growth. Excited about that this fall.
On whether any position group surprised today
Surprised? It's hard because we're literally in spider pads and helmets, you know? And so, from a physicality standpoint, things like that, there are limitations on what you can see and do. But, yeah, I think as expected. I thought our defensive backfield is -- you know -- but that's expected.
And so, I thought it was just good back and forth, as it should be. I feel like we've got, for the most part, a balanced team. And so, it didn't feel like one position completely dominated another or one was, you know, getting dominated. So, I thought it was good balance across the board as a team.
On how the quarterbacks performed today
Yeah. I think they've all taken steps through the summer. And you can see they are definitely more comfortable with the install. A lot of it's the reps they get with the play concepts they have. But the footwork and just the confidence with that and some of the new things that we've added in -- so Ty and Austin, those things were still new this spring, and they've now become very comfortable with it. It's subtle stuff.
But probably Keelon's going to be the one that you're going to see the biggest jump naturally. And I feel like that was good. I mean, he's making quick decisions and not sitting there thinking too much. But I felt all did. I think Ty -- you know, we talked about all the quarterbacks -- but you know, just the gimme (throws), the ones that should be 100% making those plays all the time. And I really felt like he did that. He got probably more opportunities just because of the way the plays developed to have more of those gimmies. And those gimmies add up. Gimmies are five-yard gains that turn into 15 and 20 and sometimes explosives. And they keep the chains moving.
So, I like the mindset of our quarterbacks. Because when you can trust your quarterback to go through his progression and be okay with checking it down and not forcing something, you can call, as a play-caller, a lot more balls down the field and know that it's not just going to be an incomplete pass or an explosive play. There's going to be a progression and it's going to be some type of movement down the field. It's going to put you in manageable down-and-distances, whether it's second, third, or fourth.
On whether the rep distribution among quarterbacks will change
We'll start out pretty consistent with probably how we finished the spring. Keelon's reps continue to build up from what it was in spring, where he was primarily with the threes and fours. But here early on you're just installing and trying to give each quarterback, along with each position and player, the reps of the install. And then once you get past that first round of installs, then you really start kind of dialing it in at that time. But we'll play it by ear as we go. Because if someone separates themselves -- one, two guys -- then you do make adjustments along the way.
On whether returning defensive experience showed in practice
Yes, there is definitely the veterans and then the younger guys. And the veterans -- it starts with communication and the confidence with that communication and just, you know, guys in sync, right? Knowing the space that they've got to cover between two guys in the secondary or the back half. And you can just see the jelling of that. I can't really think of anything where it felt like there was a missed assignment or something that was blown, really, all day.
Our offense does a lot of stuff to put a lot of pressure on you -- to communicate, to have to see motions and shifting and things like that. So, yeah, from where we were at a year ago or even end of the season, you can see the banked reps that we've taken adding up. And then the physical piece will continue to happen as we put on the pads and add that part to it.
On how no transfers have helped create continuity
Yeah, I mean, it's just -- even the logistics and how you practice and the transitions and where guys go -- the flow is just on another level. And it's even going to be much better than it was at the end of the fall, because you still had the spring. And so just locations on the field and who you're going to in those drills -- and now it isn't just those drills. You're learning the details, and the details and how they apply to the play.
You're not just doing that drill on its own and it's isolated. It's how it's going to affect you when you're in this situation maybe five, ten times throughout the season. But you can apply it because we've shown it. And now they remember and they've processed it. Now they can go operate and execute.
On the health of the tight end room
Health-wise, it will continue to get better and better. It's in a good spot. This was going to be how it was when the injuries happened. Josh Cuevas is going to continue to add volume. I think that's the best word to use because he's practicing. Danny Lewis -- the same thing -- they're adding volume. The number of reps from start to finish -- it's not just team, it's not just individual.
But they've had a really good summer, and their progress is as we had hoped, as we expected. And the rest of the guys -- Marshall Pritchett, I know, didn't practice at the end of the spring with what he had. A couple other guys too. They're all full-go. We've got more tight ends out there now, all of a sudden, than we could have ever imagined. But they're all competing and working together, doing a good job.
On using players for spot duty on both sides of the ball
Yeah. No, I mean, when you have someone that can really fit into a goalline package and be the extra tight end and maybe take a defensive end or defensive lineman and add him to a personnel grouping -- we'll certainly be open to that. If there's a specific guy that has just a skill that, you know, we don't have. But I think, for the most part, each side of the ball has what they need.
If they wanted to do something special, we have that on that side of the ball. And there isn't someone that is so much better going both ways like that situation to where we feel the need to do that at this point.
On how having a veteran defense helps quarterback competition
Yeah, you know, a lot of the competition right now is a lot of pressure on them. There's pressure to play games, and the quarterback pressure that exists going through the season -- but really the pressure that they have to compete and win the spot is something that's preparing them for those times in the games.
Going against a defense like ours -- and our defense does a really good job. I think they're getting better and better at disguising things, which means you don't know where things might always come from. And then, you know, guys -- just better playmakers out there too. They can cover a lot of ground. And they're not just giving you those gimmies, those blown coverages. You're having to make plays.
And so, guys -- our quarterbacks -- did a good job of, I think, taking calculated risks at the right time. Not putting our offense in jeopardy really throughout practice. And they're being challenged by, obviously, a group on the other side of the ball that we've got a lot of confidence in right now.
On the running back depth behind Jam Miller
Sure. Yeah, you got Rich (Young) and Daniel Hill coming back also. Feel like those guys are healthier than they probably ever were last season throughout the year. And then Dre -- Dre Washington -- I thought he had a really nice practice today. You can see, again, a new guy that's come in, and now you're seeing the install a second, third time -- from spring, summer to fall -- and how it's clicking more.
So he's got himself right in the mix there for sure. As we kind of narrow down -- there's skill-sets, different things that each guy brings. Body types are a little bit different. But in the end, it's not like someone is so much different to where it affects who's in there. We're just teaching them all the offense, and especially when you get into the padded and the physicality and the tackling pieces, that's a big part of it -- breaking tackles and being able to get in there and protect for the quarterback and do a great job of it. So, they're all competing, and they're all doing a good job.
On Geno VanDeMark and Kam Dewberry competing at left guard
Yeah. Both of them had a great summer -- super competitive. Geno, in year two now with us, so comfortable in the offense. And Kam has just had a lot of urgency to really put himself physically and mentally in a spot where he's competing for that position. They probably do have different tools that are their strengths. I think they're both really good, well-rounded football players. But both of them can do a few things a little better than the other. So, it's just a matter of the best five guys and how they fit into that.
On special teams and replacing punter James Burnip
Specialists as a whole -- we had a lot of special teams guys. And I know that's not what you're hearing in your question. It's that freshman that played a lot of reps on the units. And the specialists, though, all graduating on -- obviously, we've got some holes there.
I felt good about what you see with the long-snapper (Cal transfer David Bird) position and the replacement there. And then I think Conor Talty's done a really nice job. I'm proud of him on how he's really -- from last year -- taken on the role and dove into it. Did a nice job on kickoffs, and I think that experience and just his growth showed -- again, consistency through the spring. It was evident today -- I thought he was solid at different times we had him out there doing his thing.
The punter position is probably the one that is the most open. You've got a couple guys -- Alex Asparuhov and Blake Doud -- both coming into the program. Blake, in particular, had some reps this spring but still growing and getting stronger. Those two guys are competing. Alex is now physically in a better spot too. His progress is better than expected, from a physical standpoint -- just being able to go out there and do it. I'm excited about the competition those two will bring. They've got pretty high ceilings, and I'm expecting some big things from them.
On who is working as the holder
Yeah, I mean, a lot of times it's within that unit. So, you're going to have your punters a lot of time. And I thought Blake Doud did a nice job today. So, a lot of times, because they're together so much -- as long as they can do it -- that's just that familiarity and consistency with all the reps they take each and every day. That's the starting point for us.
But, you know, I always like to, at some point, get a quarterback involved or some skilled guy. Puts a little pressure on the other team when you've got that ability there too -- to have a playmaker holding the football. But we'll see as we go through the fall.
All right, good morning. Just finished one, right? And there should be all the energy at a high level and we had that. And the question is always going to be for the guys, as they just addressed them, is can they sustain it? That's what it
was in January when they brought the intensity. And early on, you could tell these guys were determined and that's been the challenge to them.
The question I keep asking them -- and asked them again -- is it's the season, it's the practice, it's the play, it's sustaining the intensity at the level from start to finish. But good day.
On how Deontae Lawson looked getting back on the field and playing with that brace
Yeah, yeah, he's -- his trajectory is going up. Deontae, his leadership is the thing I think that's really come out, so that's exciting. He is going to be limited in just the number of reps -- the volume, I guess is the best way to put it -- and what he can take, as expected. And that was going to be the plan, just with his timeline from the beginning.
But it's great having him out there. I think he feels really good about being out there mentally and physically. I think he's in a really good spot. But there's still progress to be made as we build for the first game.
On WR Jalen Hale's progress
Yeah, just Jalen Hale and where he was at a year ago with the injury, actually in the spring in 2024. Just a pretty significant injury at the time. And between he and our medical staff just doing an awesome job of pushing forward, our whole team is proud of him -- not just me. We talked about that in the winter during December. I remember addressing it with the team, guys being excited about having him out there finally doing some with the team.
And then the spring was the next step, and through the summer, and him out there. But there's reps that he hasn't taken -- banked reps that other guys have. And so, he's still learning as we go. And every rep, he's going to get more and more confident. But he's certainly got a lot of tools and want to see his growth. Excited about that this fall.
On whether any position group surprised today
Surprised? It's hard because we're literally in spider pads and helmets, you know? And so, from a physicality standpoint, things like that, there are limitations on what you can see and do. But, yeah, I think as expected. I thought our defensive backfield is -- you know -- but that's expected.
And so, I thought it was just good back and forth, as it should be. I feel like we've got, for the most part, a balanced team. And so, it didn't feel like one position completely dominated another or one was, you know, getting dominated. So, I thought it was good balance across the board as a team.
On how the quarterbacks performed today
Yeah. I think they've all taken steps through the summer. And you can see they are definitely more comfortable with the install. A lot of it's the reps they get with the play concepts they have. But the footwork and just the confidence with that and some of the new things that we've added in -- so Ty and Austin, those things were still new this spring, and they've now become very comfortable with it. It's subtle stuff.
But probably Keelon's going to be the one that you're going to see the biggest jump naturally. And I feel like that was good. I mean, he's making quick decisions and not sitting there thinking too much. But I felt all did. I think Ty -- you know, we talked about all the quarterbacks -- but you know, just the gimme (throws), the ones that should be 100% making those plays all the time. And I really felt like he did that. He got probably more opportunities just because of the way the plays developed to have more of those gimmies. And those gimmies add up. Gimmies are five-yard gains that turn into 15 and 20 and sometimes explosives. And they keep the chains moving.
So, I like the mindset of our quarterbacks. Because when you can trust your quarterback to go through his progression and be okay with checking it down and not forcing something, you can call, as a play-caller, a lot more balls down the field and know that it's not just going to be an incomplete pass or an explosive play. There's going to be a progression and it's going to be some type of movement down the field. It's going to put you in manageable down-and-distances, whether it's second, third, or fourth.
On whether the rep distribution among quarterbacks will change
We'll start out pretty consistent with probably how we finished the spring. Keelon's reps continue to build up from what it was in spring, where he was primarily with the threes and fours. But here early on you're just installing and trying to give each quarterback, along with each position and player, the reps of the install. And then once you get past that first round of installs, then you really start kind of dialing it in at that time. But we'll play it by ear as we go. Because if someone separates themselves -- one, two guys -- then you do make adjustments along the way.
On whether returning defensive experience showed in practice
Yes, there is definitely the veterans and then the younger guys. And the veterans -- it starts with communication and the confidence with that communication and just, you know, guys in sync, right? Knowing the space that they've got to cover between two guys in the secondary or the back half. And you can just see the jelling of that. I can't really think of anything where it felt like there was a missed assignment or something that was blown, really, all day.
Our offense does a lot of stuff to put a lot of pressure on you -- to communicate, to have to see motions and shifting and things like that. So, yeah, from where we were at a year ago or even end of the season, you can see the banked reps that we've taken adding up. And then the physical piece will continue to happen as we put on the pads and add that part to it.
On how no transfers have helped create continuity
Yeah, I mean, it's just -- even the logistics and how you practice and the transitions and where guys go -- the flow is just on another level. And it's even going to be much better than it was at the end of the fall, because you still had the spring. And so just locations on the field and who you're going to in those drills -- and now it isn't just those drills. You're learning the details, and the details and how they apply to the play.
You're not just doing that drill on its own and it's isolated. It's how it's going to affect you when you're in this situation maybe five, ten times throughout the season. But you can apply it because we've shown it. And now they remember and they've processed it. Now they can go operate and execute.
On the health of the tight end room
Health-wise, it will continue to get better and better. It's in a good spot. This was going to be how it was when the injuries happened. Josh Cuevas is going to continue to add volume. I think that's the best word to use because he's practicing. Danny Lewis -- the same thing -- they're adding volume. The number of reps from start to finish -- it's not just team, it's not just individual.
But they've had a really good summer, and their progress is as we had hoped, as we expected. And the rest of the guys -- Marshall Pritchett, I know, didn't practice at the end of the spring with what he had. A couple other guys too. They're all full-go. We've got more tight ends out there now, all of a sudden, than we could have ever imagined. But they're all competing and working together, doing a good job.
On using players for spot duty on both sides of the ball
Yeah. No, I mean, when you have someone that can really fit into a goalline package and be the extra tight end and maybe take a defensive end or defensive lineman and add him to a personnel grouping -- we'll certainly be open to that. If there's a specific guy that has just a skill that, you know, we don't have. But I think, for the most part, each side of the ball has what they need.
If they wanted to do something special, we have that on that side of the ball. And there isn't someone that is so much better going both ways like that situation to where we feel the need to do that at this point.
On how having a veteran defense helps quarterback competition
Yeah, you know, a lot of the competition right now is a lot of pressure on them. There's pressure to play games, and the quarterback pressure that exists going through the season -- but really the pressure that they have to compete and win the spot is something that's preparing them for those times in the games.
Going against a defense like ours -- and our defense does a really good job. I think they're getting better and better at disguising things, which means you don't know where things might always come from. And then, you know, guys -- just better playmakers out there too. They can cover a lot of ground. And they're not just giving you those gimmies, those blown coverages. You're having to make plays.
And so, guys -- our quarterbacks -- did a good job of, I think, taking calculated risks at the right time. Not putting our offense in jeopardy really throughout practice. And they're being challenged by, obviously, a group on the other side of the ball that we've got a lot of confidence in right now.
On the running back depth behind Jam Miller
Sure. Yeah, you got Rich (Young) and Daniel Hill coming back also. Feel like those guys are healthier than they probably ever were last season throughout the year. And then Dre -- Dre Washington -- I thought he had a really nice practice today. You can see, again, a new guy that's come in, and now you're seeing the install a second, third time -- from spring, summer to fall -- and how it's clicking more.
So he's got himself right in the mix there for sure. As we kind of narrow down -- there's skill-sets, different things that each guy brings. Body types are a little bit different. But in the end, it's not like someone is so much different to where it affects who's in there. We're just teaching them all the offense, and especially when you get into the padded and the physicality and the tackling pieces, that's a big part of it -- breaking tackles and being able to get in there and protect for the quarterback and do a great job of it. So, they're all competing, and they're all doing a good job.
On Geno VanDeMark and Kam Dewberry competing at left guard
Yeah. Both of them had a great summer -- super competitive. Geno, in year two now with us, so comfortable in the offense. And Kam has just had a lot of urgency to really put himself physically and mentally in a spot where he's competing for that position. They probably do have different tools that are their strengths. I think they're both really good, well-rounded football players. But both of them can do a few things a little better than the other. So, it's just a matter of the best five guys and how they fit into that.
On special teams and replacing punter James Burnip
Specialists as a whole -- we had a lot of special teams guys. And I know that's not what you're hearing in your question. It's that freshman that played a lot of reps on the units. And the specialists, though, all graduating on -- obviously, we've got some holes there.
I felt good about what you see with the long-snapper (Cal transfer David Bird) position and the replacement there. And then I think Conor Talty's done a really nice job. I'm proud of him on how he's really -- from last year -- taken on the role and dove into it. Did a nice job on kickoffs, and I think that experience and just his growth showed -- again, consistency through the spring. It was evident today -- I thought he was solid at different times we had him out there doing his thing.
The punter position is probably the one that is the most open. You've got a couple guys -- Alex Asparuhov and Blake Doud -- both coming into the program. Blake, in particular, had some reps this spring but still growing and getting stronger. Those two guys are competing. Alex is now physically in a better spot too. His progress is better than expected, from a physical standpoint -- just being able to go out there and do it. I'm excited about the competition those two will bring. They've got pretty high ceilings, and I'm expecting some big things from them.
On who is working as the holder
Yeah, I mean, a lot of times it's within that unit. So, you're going to have your punters a lot of time. And I thought Blake Doud did a nice job today. So, a lot of times, because they're together so much -- as long as they can do it -- that's just that familiarity and consistency with all the reps they take each and every day. That's the starting point for us.
But, you know, I always like to, at some point, get a quarterback involved or some skilled guy. Puts a little pressure on the other team when you've got that ability there too -- to have a playmaker holding the football. But we'll see as we go through the fall.
Willie is a social media star for his over the top support of Alabama.
Judges?
Itās a sliding scale
Justneedme81
Member
BamaFan334
Member
Ha ha, initially I was like "oh boy, this could get interesting". Then I listened and I realized. Made me laugh. McAfee cracked me up when he called for it at Gameday against Georgia.
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