🏈 Fresno State Practice Reports

[Alabama17Tide]

By Tony Tsoukalas

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama began preparations for Fresno State on Monday as players practiced outside in 84-degree weather. Players were in shorts and shells for the practice.

Here are a few notes from the media viewing period:

— As expected Terrell Lewis (elbow) and Christian Miller (biceps) were both absent from practice. Saban confirmed earlier in the day that both players will be out for the season. Outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings (ankle) was not seen at practice, while inside linebacker Rashaan Evans was seen wearing a black jersey but left shortly after the viewing period began. Saban listed both Jennings and Evans as questionable moving forward but stated their injuries were “significant.”

— Jamey Mosley led the outside linebackers and was followed by Mehki Brown, VanDarius Cowan, Christopher Allen, Ben Davis and LaBryan Ray. Davis was wearing a scout-team No. 32, playing the role of Fresno State linebacker Robert Stanley (6-3, 245 pounds).

— It’s interesting to see Ray working with the outside linebackers. The former five-star defensive lineman is listed at 6-foot-5, 272 pounds on Alabama’s official roster and would most likely serve in the Jack linebacker role. Alabama could be prepping him to serve as a run-stopping linebacker on early downs, similar to what Jennings was.

— Shaun Dion Hamilton led the inside linebackers and was followed by Keith Holcombe, Dylan Moses, Mack Wilson, Joshua McMillon and Markail Benton. McMillon was wearing a No. 7 of Fresno State linebacker James Bailey (6-1, 225 pounds), while Benton was wearing a No. 9 of Fresno State linebacker Jeffrey Allison (6-0, 250 pounds).

— I’m always skeptical to read too much into order, but it is interesting that Holcombe is ahead of Wilson. Earlier in the day, Saban said both players could move outside, but he was also wary of making too many positional changes.

— Raekwon Davis was back practicing with the first-team defensive line, joining Da’Shawn Hand, Da’Ron Payne and Joshua Frazier. Isaiah Buggs, Jamar King, Johnny Dwight and Quinnen Williams were working with the second group.

— Running back Josh Jacobs and still appeared to be limited during practice. He was standing off to the side while the rest of the backs went through individual drills. Damien Harris led the group followed by Najee Harris, Bo Scarbrough, Brian Robinson and Ronnie Clark. Robinson and Clark were both wearing the No. 20 scout-team number of Fresno State running back Ronnie Rivers (5-8, 175 pounds).

— For fun, take a minute to note the difference between Robinson (6-1, 218 pounds) and Rivers (5-8, 175 pounds).

— Offensive analyst Chris Weinke was working with the wide receivers for Mike Locksley who is dealing with the loss of his son Meiko. According to Alabama officials, Weinke has been cleared to work with players in Locksley’s absence.

Practice report Monday (Fresno State week) | BamaInsider.com

 

[bama alum]

What time is kickoff?

 

[obie]

What time is kickoff?

2:30

 

[Alabama17Tide]

By Tony Tsoukalas

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama moved inside for its second practice of Fresno State week. Players were dressed in full pads as they prepared for their home opener Saturday inside of Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Here are a few notes from the media viewing period:

— Right as we were leaving freshman offensive tackle Jedrick Wills appeared to go down with an ankle injury. After going through a team rep, Wills immediately grabbed his ankle and the proceeded to throw his helmet to the turf. The 6-foot-5, 314-pound offensive lineman then went to the ground and continued to clutch his left ankle as Bradley Bozeman and a trainer came to his aid.

— In other injury news, Rashaan Evans (groin) wore a black jersey and was riding a stationary bike, while fellow linebacker Anfernee Jennings (ankle) was not spotted during the viewing period. Jennings posted on social media that he had a successful surgery earlier in the day. Running back Josh Jacobs appeared to be going through individual drills with a hamstring-support apparatus.

— Alabama’s first unit offensive line remained the same with Jonah Williams, Ross Pierschbacher, Bradley Bozeman, Lester Cotton and Matt Womack lining up from left to right. Wills was working at right tackle on the first unit, while Leatherwood was working at left tackle.

— Offensive line coach Brent Key didn’t seem pleased and tore into Wills earlier during practice. Key instructed Wills to redo a drill alone, telling him to be faster off the ball.

— Damien Harris led the running backs and was followed by Najee Harris, Brian Robinson, Bo Scarbrough, Ronnie Clark and Josh Jacobs. Robinson and Clark were in scout-team numbers.

— LaBryan Ray continued to work with the outside linebackers. It’s looking like he might move there for this season to help provide some depth. Keith Holcombe, Mack Wilson and Dylan Moses remained with the inside linebackers.

— Alabama’s secondary practiced out of the nickel package. Anthony Averett and Trevon Diggs were the cornerbacks with Levi Wallace shadowing Averett. Minkah Fitzpatrick worked at Star, while Hootie Jones and Ronnie Harrison worked out of the safety positions. Shaun Dion Hamilton and Keith Holcombe were the two running backs, with Mack Wilson shadowing Hamilton.

— The second unit nickel package included Jared Mayden and Shyheim Carter at cornerback with Nigel Knott shadowing Mayden. Tony Brown was being shadowed by Kyriq McDonald at Star. Deionte Thompson and Xavier McKinney were the two safeties, while Thompson was shadowed by Daniel Wright who was in a scout-team jersey. Joshua McMillon and Dylan Moses were the two inside linebackers with Markail Benton shadowing McMillon. Despite working with the second unit, McMillon had a scout-team jersey on.

— Wide receivers coach Mike Locksley rejoined the team after missing Monday’s practice to be with his family after the passing of his son, Mieko.

— Wide receivers worked on lateral movement drills during the individual period before joining the quarterbacks for intermediate passes.

— Calvin Ridley led the group and was followed by Cam Sims, Jerry Jeudy, DeVonta Smith, Xavian Marks, Tyrell Shavers, Chadarius Townsend, Henry Ruggs, Derek Kief and Robert Foster. As always, don’t take too much from the order.

— Alabama has a sky camera that runs on a wire on the ceiling to capture aerial views of practice.

Tuesday practice report (Fresno State week) | BamaInsider.com

 

[Tidestalker]

Wills injury... not good news. Clearly has a chance to play at this point, that would be a huge set back.

Surprised to hear Moses is with the MLB's. All I can think is that Rashaan Evans is going to play a lot more OLB when he gets back.

 

[Alabama17Tide]

By Tony Tsoukalas

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama participated in its third practice this week in preparation for Saturday’s game against Fresno State at 2:30 p.m. CT inside Bryant-Denny Stadium. Players worked outside in full pads in cool 77-degree weather for the practice.

Here are a few notes from the media viewing period:

— Alabama threw us a curveball as starting defensive lineman Da’Shawn hand was working with the outside linebackers. Jamey Mosley led the unit followed by Mekhi Brown, Hand, VanDarius Cowan, Joshua McMillon, La’Bryan Ray, Chris Allen, Ben Davis.

— McMillon is another interesting switch as he was previously working with the outside linebackers.

— Alabama’s defense appeared to be working out of the dime rabits package during team drills. On the first unit, Isaiah Buggs, Da’Ron Payne and Hand had their hands on the ground, while Jamey Mosley and Keith Holcombe served as the two standing linebackers. Anthony Averett and Levi Wallace were the two cornerbacks, while Tony Brown was at Star and Minkah Fitzpatrick was at Money. Ronnie Harrison and Hootie Jones were the safeties. Trevon Diggs was shadowing Wallace at corner.

— On the second unit, Quinnen Williams, Raekwon Davis and Chris Allen had a hand on the ground, while Dylan Moses and Keith Holcombe were the two standing linebackers.

— After appearing to go down with an ankle injury toward the closing moments of Tuesday’s viewing period, freshman offensive tackle Jedrick Wills looked fine Wednesday. He is still working on the second unit, as Alabama’s first-team offensive line remained the same.

— Rashaan Evans was once again in a black jersey and wearing a high-altitude mask. He was riding the stationary bike during the viewing period.

— Josh Jacobs (hamstring) looks to be making progress and is working with the rest of the running backs. Saban has continued to call him questionable for Saturday’s game, stating he doesn’t want to rush Jacobs back before he is ready.

TEAM NEWS - Wednesday practice report (Fresno State game week) | BamaInsider.com