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Six Alabama players on the clock for Saturday's scrimmage at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
11 WR Traeshon Holden
Why he's on the list: The anticipated pairing of Ja'Corey Brooks and Georgia transfer Jermaine Burton was derailed (temporarily, at least) when Brooks was ruled out for spring drills. Is Holden, who led UA's returning wide receivers in receptions (21) and yards (239) in 2021, capable of being a legit No. 2 in an offense that over the last four seasons has gotten No. 1-caliber production from the spot? While that's to be determined, he apparently has the confidence of Bryce Young, who didn't hesitate to go Holden's way when the opportunity presented itself last season.
6 CB Khyree Jackson
Why he's on the list: The silver lining to a forgettable finish to the 2021 season was that the talented-but-raw Jackson got the kind of big stage reps that should serve him well moving forward. Same might prove true for Kool-Aid McKinstry, who took a few lumps of his down the stretch. With Eli Ricks coming in from LSU, what appeared to be a given for the returning duo transformed into the competitive environment Nick Saban likes to maintain across the board. Even with Ricks working back to form following a shoulder injury sustained last season, there are talented youngsters pushing as well.
2 QB Jalen Milroe
Why he's on the list: The arrival of Ty Simpson didn't just provide some needed scholarship depth to the quarterback room, it also presented Milroe with a five-star challenger to the backup spot behind center. If one player on the offensive side of the ball needed continuity in terms of day-to-day coaching it was likely Milroe, whose continued development as a passer should benefit from the return of offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Bill O'Brien. In terms of critical factors coaches look for in today's quarterback, Milroe checks all the physical boxes. Exactly how much more he can improve from the pocket will go a long way in determining his viability as the potential successor to Young.
42 ILB Jaylen Moody
Why he's on the list: Moody didn't withdraw his name from the Transfer Portal to serve as a core four special teamer again. The program vet has his eyes on the weakside job left vacant by the departure of Christian Harris to the NFL. When give the opportunity each of the last two seasons, Moody has offered a seamless transition from starter to reserve. Can he do the same over the course of an entire spring? One would think so, but similar to corner, there are quality first- and second-year options ready to make statements of their own.
60 OL Kendall Randolph
Why he's on the list: If it seems like Randolph has been in this spot before, it's because he has. The sixth-year senior has opened spring practice and/or fall camp working with the first group only to have other players push past him for starting roles. This time, though, UA is in the market for two first-team tackles instead of one, so his latest candidacy should have more of a shelf life than did previous iterations. Of course, the upcoming decision of Vanderbilt transfer Tyler Steen could weigh heavily on how competition at both spots plays out down the road. While Young's ability to cover for mistakes in protection is nice, O'Brien doesn't want it to become the kind of necessity that turns a structured attack into one more along the lines of sandlot. Regardless, in Randolph, Alabama is fortunate to have a veteran capable of manning multiple spots, including tight end.
6 RB Trey Sanders
Why he's on the list: A key contributor down the stretch of the 2021 campaign, Sanders, too, is competing with a mid-year transfer who appears hellbent on securing a starring role. With Jahmyr Gibbs coming over from Georgia Tech, much has been made of the versatility and explosive play ability he adds to the backfield. Those were the same descriptives assigned to Sanders before significant injuries stymied each of his first two seasons at the Capstone. After finishing his first full season at UA on a promising note, perhaps we'll see a full return of the guy who checked in as the top running back prospect for the 2019 recruiting cycle. With Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams yet to be fully cleared from the ACL injuries they sustained last fall, opportunities shouldn't be in short supply where Sanders, Gibbs and newcomer Jamarion Miller are concerned.
247sports.com
11 WR Traeshon Holden
Why he's on the list: The anticipated pairing of Ja'Corey Brooks and Georgia transfer Jermaine Burton was derailed (temporarily, at least) when Brooks was ruled out for spring drills. Is Holden, who led UA's returning wide receivers in receptions (21) and yards (239) in 2021, capable of being a legit No. 2 in an offense that over the last four seasons has gotten No. 1-caliber production from the spot? While that's to be determined, he apparently has the confidence of Bryce Young, who didn't hesitate to go Holden's way when the opportunity presented itself last season.
6 CB Khyree Jackson
Why he's on the list: The silver lining to a forgettable finish to the 2021 season was that the talented-but-raw Jackson got the kind of big stage reps that should serve him well moving forward. Same might prove true for Kool-Aid McKinstry, who took a few lumps of his down the stretch. With Eli Ricks coming in from LSU, what appeared to be a given for the returning duo transformed into the competitive environment Nick Saban likes to maintain across the board. Even with Ricks working back to form following a shoulder injury sustained last season, there are talented youngsters pushing as well.
2 QB Jalen Milroe
Why he's on the list: The arrival of Ty Simpson didn't just provide some needed scholarship depth to the quarterback room, it also presented Milroe with a five-star challenger to the backup spot behind center. If one player on the offensive side of the ball needed continuity in terms of day-to-day coaching it was likely Milroe, whose continued development as a passer should benefit from the return of offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Bill O'Brien. In terms of critical factors coaches look for in today's quarterback, Milroe checks all the physical boxes. Exactly how much more he can improve from the pocket will go a long way in determining his viability as the potential successor to Young.
42 ILB Jaylen Moody
Why he's on the list: Moody didn't withdraw his name from the Transfer Portal to serve as a core four special teamer again. The program vet has his eyes on the weakside job left vacant by the departure of Christian Harris to the NFL. When give the opportunity each of the last two seasons, Moody has offered a seamless transition from starter to reserve. Can he do the same over the course of an entire spring? One would think so, but similar to corner, there are quality first- and second-year options ready to make statements of their own.
60 OL Kendall Randolph
Why he's on the list: If it seems like Randolph has been in this spot before, it's because he has. The sixth-year senior has opened spring practice and/or fall camp working with the first group only to have other players push past him for starting roles. This time, though, UA is in the market for two first-team tackles instead of one, so his latest candidacy should have more of a shelf life than did previous iterations. Of course, the upcoming decision of Vanderbilt transfer Tyler Steen could weigh heavily on how competition at both spots plays out down the road. While Young's ability to cover for mistakes in protection is nice, O'Brien doesn't want it to become the kind of necessity that turns a structured attack into one more along the lines of sandlot. Regardless, in Randolph, Alabama is fortunate to have a veteran capable of manning multiple spots, including tight end.
6 RB Trey Sanders
Why he's on the list: A key contributor down the stretch of the 2021 campaign, Sanders, too, is competing with a mid-year transfer who appears hellbent on securing a starring role. With Jahmyr Gibbs coming over from Georgia Tech, much has been made of the versatility and explosive play ability he adds to the backfield. Those were the same descriptives assigned to Sanders before significant injuries stymied each of his first two seasons at the Capstone. After finishing his first full season at UA on a promising note, perhaps we'll see a full return of the guy who checked in as the top running back prospect for the 2019 recruiting cycle. With Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams yet to be fully cleared from the ACL injuries they sustained last fall, opportunities shouldn't be in short supply where Sanders, Gibbs and newcomer Jamarion Miller are concerned.
Six Alabama players on the clock for Saturday's scrimmage
Six Alabama players on the clock for Saturday's scrimmage at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
247sports.com
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