šŸˆ Spring Camp - 2017

I had to look twice. He looks like one of the Band of Brothers characters to me...made me google it. Now I've forgotten his name, again.

Scott ... Norris, maybe.
Grimes. Scott Grimes. (Just saw a TWD commercial.)

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Former three-star offensive lineman Matt Womack is ready to step up for Alabama this season. Photo | USA Today



TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama offensive lineman Matt Womack has found himself in an unfamiliar spot this spring.

It isn’t because the redshirt sophomore is participating at right tackle during practice. At 6-foot-7, 326 pounds he appears born to play the position. In fact, Womack is not even a stranger to the field at Alabama. Backing up at both tackle positions last season, he saw playing time in nine games during his freshman year.

What’s different for Womack this spring is now he’s finally beginning to get noticed.

Despite having at least an inch over most of his Crimson Tide teammates, Womack has failed to generate the same hype and praise as other members of Alabama’s offensive line. Coming to the Tide as a three-star tackle from Magnolia Heights High School in Hernando, Miss., he is the only lineman in Alabama’s first three units with a rating lower than four stars.

Although, it would be hard to tell that from spring camp.

Womack has secured a spot on the Tide’s first-team offensive line during practice, filling the hole left behind at right tackle by Jonah Williams, who switched to left tackle to replace departing Cam Robinson. So far, the former three-star recruit hasn’t missed a beat, battling amongst his fellow four-and five-star behemoths.

ā€œI thought he had a really good offseason,ā€ Alabama head coach Nick Saban said. ā€œHis body is starting to develop, starting to show a lot of maturity, balance and body control, better conditioning, better ability to sustain more mental toughness, better idea of what he’s supposed to do. Grasp of the offense, which allows him to play with more confidence. So, been really pleased with him.ā€

Womack has put on 10 pounds from last season, helping him fill out his towering frame. The added weight has certainly helped his case as he fights for one of the two open slots on Alabama’s starting offensive line. However, what has really set Womack apart has been a growth in experience.

ā€œI think he's really matured,ā€ Alabama offensive lineman Ross Pierschbacher said. ā€œI think he kind of knows that this is his time to step up, and really prove to the coaches that he's the guy. I think he's really taken that to heart. You can see him — he's in here getting treatment and getting extra film work which is nice to see. He's really taken it to heart and knows that this is his time to step up. It's been nice to see out of him.ā€

Womack will have another chance to prove he belongs on the Tide’s starting offensive line on Saturday as Alabama holds its first scrimmage of spring camp. If practice is any indication, the sophomore should get the nod at right tackle to start things off.

In order to maintain that position heading into the fall, Womack will need to continue his strong start as he looks to fend off five-star early enrollee Alex Leatherwood, who has garnered plenty of attention early on.

As of now, Womack has shown he's pretty capable of handling his own.

ā€œWe've seen flashes, but I think it's more consistency and him being more dialed in,ā€ Pierschbacher said. ā€œWe know that he has it in, but I think it's really just taking that step to open up his eyes and knowing that it's his time and he's got to make the most out of it. He's been doing a good job for us.ā€
BamaInsider.com - Alabama lineman Matt Womack proving to be bigger than his 3-star rating
 
Sure seems like Womack is the man to beat at RT. Not shocked because of the size and athleticism he brings to the table. Super under the radar when he signed but love hearing that Saban is pleased with his development. I also love seeing that we have some behemoth humans vying for the first and second string spots... Would love to see a more dominant OL blocking group. With the quick passing game, I like the comfort of dominating up front more grinding out longer pass blocks... But maybe a guy like Womack can do both.
 
I've mentioned how impressive Deionte Thompson has been over the winter and the 4th quarter program. Once again I'm told to look for him to be in the rotation with the defensive backs.

Minkah and Tony were working at the Star and Corner spots ... Minkah getting reps with the safeties as was McDonald. Diggs to play on both sides in the fall; he was working with the corners today as well.

Damn, I cringe when i see these experiments.

Cyrus was really the only guy I can remember that had making a big switch. And had he started at CB, he could have gotten good a year earlier.

This kid is obviously extremely talented... Would love to see what he can do focusing on 1 position... Especially if he's on returns again.

We're over 100 comments and links in this thread and 15 of them mention Diggs—with the majority being mentions in news articles. If you look around the 'net you don't see a lot of comments about him. It's my opinion that changes today. Check this thumbnail out of the search ...
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You see the dates between mention of him playing the corner spot? There's been very little attention paid to him since the comment "experiment." I've come to the opinion he's got a real good shot at starting at the corner position in the fall opposite AA. You won't find me shocked in the least is he's starting corner, or if he's starting at a WR position ... all the while returning kicks.

Back to the "where's the attention been?" Have you noticed how it's been directed at Jeudy? It's my opinion that's by design, but that's for another thread.

I do like the idea of those four in the secondary.
 
Friday's practice report

By Tony Tsoukalas

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama held its eighth practice of spring camp as players worked outside in sunny, 68-degree weather. Players were in shorts and shells for the practice.

Media was only afforded one viewing period today, but nonetheless here are some notes from practice:

— Rashaan Evans led the inside linebackers and was followed by Keith Holcombe, Dylan Moses, Joshua McMillon and Shawn Jennings with Mack Wilson brining up the rear. As I’ve said before, order often doesn’t mean anything during practice. However, it is worth noting that Moses has crept up in the order. The early enrollee looked very smooth during drills.

— Outside linebackers were working on resistance training and off-the-ball drills. Linebackers coach Tosh Lupoi is always entertaining to watch during practice. He is the most vocal of the coaches and stresses full effort on every rep. In one instance he got on Mekhi Brown telling him to make sure every tackling dummy hit the

— The starting first group of defensive linemen included Da’Shawn, Da’Ron Payne, Joshua Frazier and Raekwon Davis from left to right. The second group of defensive linemen consisted of Quinnen Williams, O.J. Smith, Jamar King and Isaiah Buggs from left to right.

— Alabama won’t be playing with four defensive linemen very much this season, so the drill did not show an exact first team and second team. That being said, it appears Davis and Buggs will battle it out for the role opposite of Hand at defensive end. Quinnen Williams is in the mix as well.

— As for Hand, he’s as close to a given at starter as anyone. Kyle shot some good video of him going to work on Matt Womack.

— Reporters saw true freshman Major Tennison work with the first-team tight ends. I did not see the tight ends personally, but that would be interesting and is something we will watch moving forward. While still new to the system, Tennison is viewed as the Crimson Tide’s most complete package at tight end.

— Running backs B.J. Emmons (foot) and Bo Scarbrough (leg), as well as linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton (ACL) and Jared Mayden (hip), were all in black jerseys. I haven’t mentioned before, but Hamilton has a brace on his right leg.

— Lastly, Alabama held its Clinic of Champions which saw roughly 500 coaches in attendance. Needless to say, it was crowded and hard to see things at practice.

Practice No. 8 (Report and Highlights Added) | BamaInsider.com
 
Freshman linebacker Dylan Moses already turning heads at Alabama

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — By now, IMG Academy linebackers coach Tommy Langford is rarely surprised when he hears news on Alabama freshman linebacker Dylan Moses. Coaching Moses during the linebacker’s senior season of high school, he’s seen it all before.

The fact that Moses reportedly posted a 4.46 time in the 40 was old news.

ā€œYeah, we had that for him here,ā€ Langford said unenthusiastically. ā€œHe did it at 6-3, 235 pounds, too.ā€

The rave reviews already coming out of camp are nice to hear, but they come as no shock to Langford either. The coach wasn’t even surprised to learn Moses has been practicing exclusively with the inside linebackers this spring, stating that’s where the former five-star recruit played primarily at IMG.

There was one thing that gave Langford a slight pause, though.

Following the release of Alabama’s spring workouts, SEC Network analyst Booger McFarland responded to a tweet about Moses, stating ā€œMoses has to play on the edge. Like Tim Williams or Ryan Anderson. Not instinctive enough to play middle.ā€

14 Mar
Bruce Feldman

āœ” @BruceFeldmanCFB

#Alabama did spring testing. Have FIVE 500-lb benchers & early enrolled FR LB Dylan Moses ran 4.46 at 6-3, 235. Wow. http://www.al.com/alabamafootball/index.ssf/2017/03/jalen_hurts_40_time_among_nota.html …


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Booger

āœ”@SECbooger

@BruceFeldmanCFB Moses has to play on the edge. Like Tim Williams or Ryan Anderson. Not instinctive enough to play middle good player

2:14 PM - 14 Mar 2017

For once, Langford couldn’t believe what he was hearing regarding his former standout linebacker.

ā€œHold on a second, did someone say Dylan wasn’t instinctual enough to play inside,ā€ Langford questioned, followed by a brief pause. ā€œHuh. I mean, I wholeheartedly disagree.ā€

From there Langford explained that while Moses wasn’t the most instinctive linebacker he’s ever coached, instincts were still a vital part of his game. As far as Moses being exclusively an outside threat, that threw Langford for a loop as well. The coach pointed to the fact that Moses earned the high school Butkus Award during his senior season despite never playing on the edge at IMG.

ā€œHe’s got great instincts and a great nose for the football,ā€ Langford said. ā€œBefore he came to us, that’s the only way he played. He was never schematic. Once he figured out the scheme with his instincts he won the Butkus Award.ā€

Langford can rattle off plenty of examples to prove his point. There was the time Moses was supposed to drop back on a Cover 2 defense but then identified a screen pass and blew it up at the line of scrimmage. There’s another play where Moses picked up on a gap in coverage before breaking out of his zone to knock down a pass. Langford has more, but for now, those will do.

Although, it doesn’t really matter where Langford or any other outside voice sees Moses at the next level. Alabama clearly sees him playing inside. While he has had some learning moments at the time during practice, the 6-foot-3, 234-pound true freshman already stands out among his fellow linebackers.


Dylan Moses

Outside linebacker
5 STARS
IMG Academy
Bradenton, FL
RR: 6.1
Ht: 6'2"
Wt: 225 lbs
Class: 2017

ā€œFirst impression is he is an athletic guy,ā€ Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans said. ā€œThat is obvious. All it’s really going to take is him improving as a player, and once he does that, the sky’s the limit.ā€

With starter Shaun Dion Hamilton still recovering from an ACL injury, Moses should get more opportunities to prove himself this spring. While Hamilton is expected to be ready in time for the Crimson Tide’s opener on Sept. 2, where he should start alongside Evans in the middle, the extra reps could prove beneficial to Moses if an opportunity arises later in the year.

While earning early playing time was the goal when Moses enrolled in January, he and Langford did discuss the possibility of having to sit on the bench early in his career. Langford expects Moses to handle whatever is thrown at him and said a lack of playing time would only motivate the young linebacker that much more.

That was the case for Evans, who didn’t make his first start until his junior year last season.

ā€œAll it does is build character,ā€ Evans said of waiting his turn. ā€œYou become unselfish. You become more about the team and when you have that type of mindset your individual success is going to come anyway when you are thinking about the team. Those things I have learned here overall under Coach Saban, I feel like those are the most important things you can take here and to the next level.ā€

If Moses is going to compete for early action, he’s going to have to earn it. So far, his teammates have already noticed his strong work ethic both on the field and in the weight room.

ā€œHe works hard and he’s a really smart kid,ā€ Alabama tight end Miller Forristall said. ā€œI like him a lot. In the fourth-quarter program, he worked really hard and he pushes you.ā€

Of course, that doesn't come as a surprise to Langford either. At this point, there's nothing he feels Moses can't do.

ā€œI’m going to be shocked if he doesn’t get significant playing time,ā€ Langford said. ā€œAnd I won’t be surprised if he’s starting at some point next fall.ā€
BamaInsider.com - Freshman linebacker Dylan Moses already turning heads at Alabama
 
I would say Eddie Lacy had been the crown jewel of recruits pulled from the cozy confines of the Baton Rouge area. With an honorable mention to Tim Williams. But Dylan Moses is the Leonard Fournette of LSU recruiting efforts and to miss out on this one promises a perpetual cycle of symptomatic Booger butt-hurt.
 
Got this

  • From the coaching clinic: papabear4 2017-04-07 23:10:03
    Diggs "getting a look" at db may be an understatement. He ran with the 1s opposite Averette all day.
    Najee is the real deal. He split time with 34 with the 1s. 9 is still in black, so this will change, but Najee will play.
    Payne may be unblockable.
    Oline needs lots of work. Hurts running for his life right now. They seem to be much better run blockers right now.
    So as to not be a total gump I will end with this...Hurts still looked pretty inconsistent. He makes a couple good throws then misses one he doesnt need to miss. Still early spring though. RTR
 
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