🏈 Spring Practice 2026: A-Day Reports and Updates

[EasyTider]

So has anyone find out how bad this is?

I didn’t like that DeBoer mentioned evaluating it thru the summer. I hear ankle, hopefully just a bad sprain.

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

Went to the game

17 is our RB with 4 behind him 17 has the explosion and agility to be really good. He picked the blitz on one down and he stuck the defender right in the mouth.

0 is an RB out of the backfield for the most part and 6 doesn't have the ability to be a SEC RB.

10 and 12 can be our starter. Both have the arms to throw any patterns. 12 has the jets to bust long gains once he leaves the pocket. Both have to grow that confidence that they are the man as well as eliminate bad plays.

Really hard to tell what we have on defense or offense until we play teams. I am not discouraged. I am pleased to see 17 run the ball. He is no dancer. Quick and powerful.

David Smith crew handled the officiating today.

 

[doemasters]

A few pictures from A-day below

More in the link below

A-Day 2026 - FreeLancePictures

This gallery hosted by SmugMug; your photos look better here.

www.freelancepictures.com

 

[Kamikazi18627]

So, for those that made the game…..how’d the qbs look? I was at a 10u baseball tournament all day

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

So, for those that made the game…..how’d the qbs look? I was at a 10u baseball tournament all day

Couple of posters touched on it earlier in this thread... I personally was NOT there today, but was told both performed pretty well. Russell got the bulk of the overall work since Mack is dinged up. Mack still did pretty well considering, had a TD and an INT. Made some good throws. Russell finished with 4 TD's and at least 1 INT. He also apparently made some good throws and a couple of big time throws. They said he looked comfortable and well prepared. Not a secret, but they talked about his athleticism and how smooth he looks.

 

[64Tide]

Going out on somewhat of a “limb” here-K Russell, the next big thing in Alabama football.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

Going out on somewhat of a “limb” here-K Russell, the next big thing in Alabama football.

You never know until he takes the snaps when it matters, but the dude checks all the boxes.

 

[RTB.com]

A snynopsis...believe it was written by Cary Clark.

-- Opening statement

Beautiful day for some football. I appreciate all the fans that came and supported the guys today. It was a great event at Denny Chimes, celebrating our captains from the 2025 season. A great tradition that is unique, and it's awesome seeing those guys again too with the NFL Draft coming up.

I thought the guys competed again. It's a unique situation with two practices still ahead next week, so we're not done yet. We'll get back to work Tuesday and Thursday. There are a lot of opportunities to get better and a lot of situational work we can get to.

It was good back and forth, much like the other scrimmages. You can see how we orchestrated where the ball was spotted. There are some advantages the offense gets toward the end when we're trying to get red zone work in. There are a lot of things to learn and situational areas we can improve.

-- On red zone quarterback reps limited for Austin Mack

We had to limit Austin with some things, so that's why Keelon got more reps this week. Austin was good for the most part but wasn't able to finish. He'll be fine.

-- On the status of WR Noah Rogers' who left with a lower body injury

He's getting evaluated. It's unfortunate he got dinged up. We'll get more information with MRIs and see what happens as we move through the spring and summer.

-- On the running game and offensive line performance

There are times in a game where you wear defenses down and build off plays, but in this format with ones and twos rotating, it's harder to evaluate consistent production.

There are a few things we can hang our hat on that we execute well. Some backs stood out with their ability to make cuts, run through contact, and get the job done, while others still have work to do.

From the offensive line standpoint, communication, technique, and execution are improving. It doesn't happen overnight. From the center outward, the communication has been solid. There aren't many busted assignments, though some still happen in spring. Overall, we're getting plays started the right way.

-- On Michael Carroll's role at right guard

He's played mostly guard late in the spring. We love the physicality he brings. He played guard early when he arrived, and we knew he could be very good at it.

He can handle big matchups and still get out in space because of his tackle ability. He's a flexible player, but he has taken more guard reps recently.

-- On clarifilying if Austin Mack was injured

He did a little bit and will be fine.

-- On Ryan Coleman-Williams' development and EJ Crowell's outlook

EJ hasn't had many reps beyond the first couple of practices, so it's hard to fully evaluate. You go off what you saw early and remain optimistic. He has athleticism, speed, and strength, but there's a lot to learn, including physicality and pass protection at this level.

Ryan's consistency stood out all spring. He should feel good about that, but the expectation is elite performance. He's a leader who works extremely hard, and it's showing. His consistency, including making both routine and difficult catches, has been noticeable.

-- On defensive areas needing improvement

We need to continue improving execution, especially with pressures and blitz packages. That was a focus area from last season, and we've made progress.

We know the variations we can run defensively. It's about continuing to build and see how far the front can develop. We have a good idea of what the secondary can do.

Tackling, pursuit, and effort are always priorities, and our guys have been accountable there. Now it's about executing both base defense and pressure schemes so everything is available when needed.

-- On defensive front pressure and pass rush development

It's harder to evaluate without live contact on the quarterback. There are times pressure is there even if it doesn't result in a sack.

I thought they did a good job generating pressure in different ways. The key is working together and not creating escape lanes for the quarterback. At times, there are still lanes that allow the quarterback to step up and make plays, and that's an area we need to improve.

-- On quarterback progress after a heavy install last week

I thought they looked more comfortable today. Both sides were trying to get back to basics.

Toward the end, we got into red zone situations that we haven't practiced much. There were moments where alignment and communication weren't as clean, leading to hesitation.

That's what we need to work on next week -- making sure everyone clearly understands their responsibilities. That's part of installing new material.

Red zone execution is critical. We were very good there last year, so we need to maintain that standard. We'll also incorporate more situational work next week, including two-minute drills, since we haven't focused on that yet with so many new faces.

 

[RTB.com]

 

[TerryP]

There are at least a half of a dozen videos posted through the link...highlights from Saturday.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=a-day+2026+alabama

 

[Sgt. Lincoln Osiris]

I was naturally preoccupied doing the #BandDad thing for much of the afternoon taking hundreds of pics and videos of my daughter with the MDB, so I didn't pay nearly as much attention to the action on the field as I usually would have.

So, my not-too-keenly-observant take:

Russel has deceptively high arm strength for his smaller frame. After watching several snaps between band stand-tunes, it's clear that his mechanics are insanely good. Great base, plant, follow thru, understands how to maximize kinetic energy for optimal power in his throws. Several snaps I noticed he made 2-3 reads faster than I've seen a lot of seasoned college QBs make and decisively deliver on chosen targets. The ball explodes off his hands. It's rather uncanny for the undersized QB that he is (relative to prototypical QBs). Is amply athletic enough to extend plays out of the pocket and can quickly turn potential sacks into first downs with his feet, but has polished pocket awareness in dropbacks. Doesn't get impatient in the pocket. Footwork during progressions as well as movement within the pocket is exceptional.

I think it's his job to lose, and Deboer is politicking on the QB1 race in hopes that he won't lose Mack, as a very solid QB2, to the transfer portal in the summer.

Quinn is our kicker. You know the sound the ball makes when solid contact is made? That booming thud as the ball explodes off the kickers foot? That's Lorcan. Eh-vuh-ree time. Hit 2 at nearly 50 yards, going 3/3 on the day. While Talty missed an easy 38 yarder.

Let Talty kick PATs, and Quinn on anything else.

Just my humble observations.

 

[64Tide]

I was naturally preoccupied doing the #BandDad thing for much of the afternoon taking hundreds of pics and videos of my daughter with the MDB, so I didn't pay nearly as much attention to the action on the field as I usually would have.

So, my not-too-keenly-observant take:

Russel has deceptively high arm strength for his smaller frame. After watching several snaps between band stand-tunes, it's clear that his mechanics are insanely good. Great base, plant, follow thru, understands how to maximize kinetic energy for optimal power in his throws. Several snaps I noticed he made 2-3 reads faster than I've seen a lot of seasoned college QBs make and decisively deliver on chosen targets. The ball explodes off his hands. It's rather uncanny for the undersized QB that he is (relative to prototypical QBs). Is amply athletic enough to extend plays out of the pocket and can quickly turn potential sacks into first downs with his feet, but has polished pocket awareness in dropbacks. Doesn't get impatient in the pocket. Footwork during progressions as well as movement within the pocket is exceptional.

I think it's his job to lose, and Deboer is politicking on the QB1 race in hopes that he won't lose Mack, as a very solid QB2, to the transfer portal in the summer.

Quinn is our kicker. You know the sound the ball makes when solid contact is made? That booming thud as the ball explodes off the kickers foot? That's Lorcan. Eh-vuh-ree time. Hit 2 at nearly 50 yards, going 3/3 on the day. While Talty missed an easy 38 yarder.

Let Talty kick PATs, and Quinn on anything else.

Just my humble observations.

100% agree on Russell.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

A few pictures from A-day below

More in the link below

A-Day 2026 - FreeLancePictures

This gallery hosted by SmugMug; your photos look better here.

www.freelancepictures.com

You always come through. Thank you.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

David Smith crew handled the officiating today.

Awesome! Welcome home, Captain!

Before the Saban era, only one Bama QB had ever thrown for over 400 yards in a winning game - David Smith. Hunter, once, in a loss.

 

[EasyTider]

I was naturally preoccupied doing the #BandDad thing for much of the afternoon taking hundreds of pics and videos of my daughter with the MDB, so I didn't pay nearly as much attention to the action on the field as I usually would have.

So, my not-too-keenly-observant take:

Russel has deceptively high arm strength for his smaller frame. After watching several snaps between band stand-tunes, it's clear that his mechanics are insanely good. Great base, plant, follow thru, understands how to maximize kinetic energy for optimal power in his throws. Several snaps I noticed he made 2-3 reads faster than I've seen a lot of seasoned college QBs make and decisively deliver on chosen targets. The ball explodes off his hands. It's rather uncanny for the undersized QB that he is (relative to prototypical QBs). Is amply athletic enough to extend plays out of the pocket and can quickly turn potential sacks into first downs with his feet, but has polished pocket awareness in dropbacks. Doesn't get impatient in the pocket. Footwork during progressions as well as movement within the pocket is exceptional.

I think it's his job to lose, and Deboer is politicking on the QB1 race in hopes that he won't lose Mack, as a very solid QB2, to the transfer portal in the summer.

Quinn is our kicker. You know the sound the ball makes when solid contact is made? That booming thud as the ball explodes off the kickers foot? That's Lorcan. Eh-vuh-ree time. Hit 2 at nearly 50 yards, going 3/3 on the day. While Talty missed an easy 38 yarder.

Let Talty kick PATs, and Quinn on anything else.

Just my humble observations.

There is no summer portal but I would imagine Mack is very close, if not already, to graduating. He could then qualify to depart as grad transfer.

 

[Nothing_But_A_Winner00]

There is no summer portal but I would imagine Mack is very close, if not already, to graduating. He could then qualify to depart as grad transfer.

Not for Bama specifically, but I won't be shocked to see some transfers this summer play out in court.

 

[Nothing_But_A_Winner00]

 

[TerryP]

Bad offensive line play has led to many a fan having an upset stomach.

I've never heard a bad offensive line leading to a severe case of gastritis.

 

[Nothing_But_A_Winner00]

Bad offensive line play has led to many a fan having an upset stomach.

I've never heard a bad offensive line leading to a severe case of gastritis.

Ty?

 

[TerryP]

Ty?

Early part of the video...maybe four minutes in.