Tony Mandarich looked good on the hoof. Got him a high draft slot but not much else.
š Fall Camp, 2025: News, notes, observations : 'Meat Church' cooks BBQ for the Tide.
- Thread starter TerryP
- Start date
I don't think it's a stretch to say this group (especially the DL) looks better physically than the groups we've seen in a few years. IE: Here's a snippet of TI-R's "On the Hoof; Day one."
Walking onto the practice field, the nearest group was the defensive line. In our summer updates, we've mentioned that junior James Smith had a great summer. Smith, Tim Keenan and LT Overton led the drills here.
First guy that jumped out to me was #90. True freshman London Simmons looks like the next Tim Keenan, at least on the hoof. Simmons is probably 15 pounds lighter than Keenan, but has a similar body type.
We mentioned repeatedly that sources had told us that this team is extremely well-conditioned. The defensive line certainly looks to be in tip-top shape overall. There is definitely some beef -- Keenan, James Smith, Jeremiah Beaman, Steve Mboumoua, Isaia Faga, London Simmons, etc. Edric Hill isn't quite as beefy, but he looks as good as any on the hoof at 6-3, 285.
Unfortunately, I'm reminded of the mid '00's. Rocky was a heck of a S&C guy but we didn't see the coaching staff (on the field) take advantage of that until Shula was sent packing. (OL biggest and best example here.)
BAMANEWSBOT
Staff
Why Lee stood out and other Alabama practice observations
COLLEGE FOOTBALL Alabama football fall practices roll on. The Crimson
tuscaloosanews-al.newsmemory.com
Alabama football fall practices roll on.
The Crimson Tide took the field for its first fall practice on July 30, one where it showcased its quarterback and left guard battle along with a key returning defensive starter ahead of the team's Aug. 30 opener against Florida State.
Alabama was back on the field July 31 for its second of 20 fall practices.
The Tuscaloosa News took in another 15 minutes of Crimson Tide practice time. Here's what we saw.
Dijon Lee stands out in loaded Alabama DB room
Dijon Lee didn't do much during the open practice period July 31. He didn't have to. The Crimson Tide freshman defensive back, standing at 6-foot-4, 202 pounds, stood significantly above each of the cornerbacks he trained with, lining up for drills with fellow California freshman Chuck McDonald. Lee was long and lanky with the body type of a cornerback, but one bigger than everyone else on the roster. Zabien Brown and Domani Jackson, who's back after missing the spring with an undisclosed injury, took first reps, while Cam Calhoun took second.
Alabama defensive line focuses on explosion off line of scrimmage
Most of the work for Alabama's interior defensive line Thursday was on the sleds, working on stance and power and that initial contact at the line of scrimmage. Steve Bolo Mboumoua, a junior college transfer, got tips from Florida transfer Kelby Collins, who called the freshman to 'stop playing with that.' Edric Hill, the redshirt sophomore who's garnered ample praise this offseason, got continued praise from Alabama defensive line coach Freddie Roach from his explosion onto the sled. James Smith also dominated sleds on defensive line reps.
Alabama defensive line order: Who took first reps?
Right as practice started, Tim Keenan III and LT Overton led defensive line drills, followed by Jeremiah Beaman, Jordan Renaud, Keon Keeley, Hill, Isaia Faga and Collins.
Alabama offensive line: What to take from guard pull reps
During the open practice period, most Alabama offensive line reps were on-guard pull blocking techniques using the entire offensive line. KamDewberry seemed to take charge of the first-team left guard spot next to Kadyn Proctor and Parker Brailsford from the reps seen. VanDeMark worked at center with a line that included freshman tackle Jackson Lloyd and redshirt freshman guard Williams Sanders.
Alabama wolf outside linebacker could have sneaky depth in 2025
If order matters during Alabama wolf outside linebacker reps, a freshman may already be moving up the ranks. Behind starter Qua Russaw and sixthyear Jah-Marien Latham, Ohio freshman Justin Hill repped ahead of Noah Carter. Russaw is expected to take the bulk of reps for a position charged with becoming a pass-rushing force on the outside. But Hill, the 6-foot-3, 242pound Cincinnati native, already looks right at home in rushing reps.
Questions that are arbitrary ...
Wonder how many bottles they go through in a practice? Look at the #'s of staff / student assistants with each position group. Three, four sometimes, carrying a dozen bottles.
How many staff members / student assistants?
Honorable mention for this years fall camp: seeing the Jack's sign.
Wonder how many bottles they go through in a practice? Look at the #'s of staff / student assistants with each position group. Three, four sometimes, carrying a dozen bottles.
How many staff members / student assistants?
Honorable mention for this years fall camp: seeing the Jack's sign.
BamaFan334
Member
On the Wolf (outside) linebacker room and players like Justin Hill and Jah-Marien Latham
Yeah. I think that room -- Christian Robinson does a great job with those guys. It's a really versatile position. Takes a number of different things from a pass rush standpoint, from a run fit standpoint. And then we ask those guys to do a lot of things from a coverage aspect as well. When you have some older guys that are now more comfortable in year two in this defense, they're able to start playing the game with a little more anticipation, with some offensive recognition, and that obviously leads to production.
On safety Keon Sabb's health status
Keon's doing a really good job. He has really pushed, and our training staff's done a great job with him. I think he's ahead of every marker that we had in the off-season for him. We weren't sure if he was going to be able to go to the level that he's going right now at the beginning of fall camp, but he is and he's here. I don't know if I could put a number on it exactly, but he's out there playing with our guys, so he's comfortable enough to do that. I think he's really pushing himself right now to get ready for the season.
On what he wants to see from the Husky position
Obviously, you have a couple of guys over there that are fighting and battling right now. Our depth in the secondary, which is a lot better than where it was a year ago, allows us to try a number of different guys there. That is a very versatile position -- similar to the Wolf in some ways and very different in others. That guy's got to be able to fit the run, play man, play zone coverage, blitz off the edge. Consistent execution is critical. That player can really eliminate part of the field if they do their job, especially in terms of perimeter blocking and defending perimeter screens. I think we've got a number of guys doing a really good job right now. I'm pleased with where those guys are going and I really like the competition in the room.
On differences between playing outside corner and Husky/nickel
There are similarities to an outside corner and a Husky/nickel, but when you're playing in that slot portion of the field, it really is a different position. Fundamentally there's a lot of carryover, but schematically there's a lot of difference in what we're asking him to do. We started Cam (Calhoun) on this towards the end of spring, got him involved in the summertime. Mo (Linquist) and Jason Jones have done a really good job working him back and forth in both rooms, so he is available to play at corner and also at nickel. I like what I see from him so far.
On how many defensive backs he wants in the rotation
I'll use as many that are ready to go and that we trust. If a backup can play to the same level as the starter, then he deserves to be on the field. We've got positions where we have multiple starters for one spot or guys we'll rotate consistently. A year ago, going into the Tennessee game, we had five guys go down and only played six DBs for five positions when it mattered. I think we can play significantly more than that this year.
On how live contact changes evaluation of younger players
Anytime we go live, it's the closest thing we can do to simulate a game-like scenario. I put a premium on how they play, respond, and produce in that moment. Freshmen can win jobs, responsibilities, and playing time through fall camp. Some guys might not be ready for the first game but will contribute more as the season goes on. Jeremiah Beaman last year was a great example -- didn't play early but had a significant role in the bowl game. You keep those guys pushing one day at a time, but you can't hold them to the same standard as your veterans.
On challenges of scouting Florida State with new staff and roster
When you're preparing for an offensive coordinator that just took over a job, maybe a new quarterback, some new personnel, you try to gather a whole picture. What did the quarterback do at his previous school? How was he used under different staffs? I've known Gus since I was in eighth grade and played for him. You think about the evolution of his offense and what he might do based on this personnel. You anticipate possible directions they'll take and have answers for each. Naturally, you carry a pretty heavy defensive catalog.
On memories of Gus from eighth grade
I was at Fayetteville High School and Gus was the head coach at Springdale High School -- the Purple Dogs vs. the Red Dogs. My dad and Gus have been close for years. He coached me my sophomore year at Arkansas as our offensive coordinator.
On what sets Gus apart
Gus is relentless in the details. He holds people accountable and his teams have always been disciplined and hard to beat. His players embody the personality of their head coach -- discipline, physicality, and tempo. He's always done a great job with that.
On Bandit depth behind LT Overton
I'm excited about the guys working there right now. Keon Keeley and Jordan Renard are getting a lot of reps -- fun to watch their growth over the last 18 months. Both have taken big strides toward contributing. KeVonte (Fatutoa) Henry just got here and missed spring ball, so I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do. The Bandit and Wolf positions are different but have enough similarity for crossover work, which helps create depth for personnel packages and the long season.
On the luxury of floating to different positions as a coordinator
Last year was my first as a true walk-around coordinator. It reminds me of my three years as a head coach -- being able to emphasize certain needs in practice or specific schemes and hone in on that position. If there's an issue, you can give it the attention it needs. It's something I want to keep doing -- having the play-caller watch from 30,000 feet and also drill down into specific details that will be important that week. It gives a lot of versatility as a coach, instead of being locked into one position group.
RTB X Bot
Member
In the second year of Alabama's new defensive system under coordinator Kane Wommack, the Crimson Tide has some things to prove if it hopes to return to where it once stood as one of college football's best units.
Senior bandit LT Overton, alongside the rest of the team's leaders, have done a lot this offseason in terms of creating a culture that will support a dominant defense. The former 5-Star prospect spoke on how he and his fellow leaders have dealt with any bad attitudes from young players who are entering the program for the first time.
Overton said, "There will be times where, I'm not going to lie, some of the young guys are starting to learn the standard, learn the new methods when they're coming in. They'll have a little pissy attitude, but at the end of the day, it's about time, effort, and how locked in the leaders are on these young guys in making sure that they're focused on the standard."
"It doesn't matter if they like it or not," he continued, "[Team leaders] are going to voice our opinion and let them know, 'This is the standard, this is what we're grinding for, this is what we're driving for.' We don't need any outside noise. We just need to all be locked in as one whole unit."
Overton highlighted his fellow senior teammate, Tim Keenan, as a major contributor to his development as a leader, saying, "What I learned from from [Tim Keenan] is just how to bring dominance to a unit because you know when he's on one day, and you know when he's off."
"If i'm being honest, he's one of the voices of the whole defense as a unit. When we see [Tim Keenan] hyped, the whole defense is hyped, not just the defensive line. (...) At the end of the day he's got our back."
As a duo in 2024, Overton and Keenan combined for 4.5 sacks and 67 quarterback pressures. If the pair can convert some of those pressures into more sacks this season, Alabama could very well have one of the strongest units in the SEC, if not the entire nation.
mando
Member
Can be dominate when he is on but consistently?
Maybe some of the guys, the critical mass as CNS calls it, have grown up, matured to the level of being accountable and striving to improve every day. These somewhat lowered expectations (last year's lack luster overall performance) may keep them from thinking what they read about themselves is actually true. There is great potential on the defensive side of the ball that gives us hope.....hope is a great thing but do not let it become "hopium".
Justneedme81
Member
There's lot to take away from that.
I've not heard a lot about day 3 in this regard. I know on day 2 CKW was sticking his head into the drills with the DLāenough where people noticed. Put two and two together here.
This I want to say I know; it wouldn't be fair. This I strongly suspect. I believe we're still doing to see some fans upset because of what they see at first glance. A good many will be looking for that "guy" like Da'Ron.
The defense just isn't that. It's the defensive lines we bitched about several years ago when they were lighter and faster often giving Bama fits with things like slants. There are some good looking athletes out there: football players.
Formby:
It was back in January or February I got several mentions of Formby in the winter workouts. I won't bother repeating the cliches; they were plentiful. It was enough for me to tell you guys I felt he had the RT position before spring camp started.
When Grubb had his meeting with the press a few days ago he mentioned how WF had "transformed" his body. My thought, "that fits with winter workout reports and the summer conditioning notes."
Yesterday they got some work in with pulling Wilkin in running plays. Several have said he's moving well; emphasized yesterday.
Compared to last season? I remember him being able to run through a wall; not so much run around a wall. (IE: Pass pro.) Early impressions ... looks like they've improved a few levels here.
It was back in January or February I got several mentions of Formby in the winter workouts. I won't bother repeating the cliches; they were plentiful. It was enough for me to tell you guys I felt he had the RT position before spring camp started.
When Grubb had his meeting with the press a few days ago he mentioned how WF had "transformed" his body. My thought, "that fits with winter workout reports and the summer conditioning notes."
Yesterday they got some work in with pulling Wilkin in running plays. Several have said he's moving well; emphasized yesterday.
Compared to last season? I remember him being able to run through a wall; not so much run around a wall. (IE: Pass pro.) Early impressions ... looks like they've improved a few levels here.
Bama Guy
Member
I pulling for Formby more than anyone else to be ready to play. I still cringe remembering watching him play RT in A-Day game. He repeatedly got smoked. Wasn't quick enough. I truly hope he is ready.
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