Alabama Practice Observations: First day in full-pads, continued OL shakeup
On Wednesday, Alabama was in full pads for the first time in fall camp.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama returned to the field once again on Wednesday for its sixth practice of fall camp, but this time, it was the team’s first season in full pads. Below, we share some of our observations from that practice.
-Yeah, Kaleb Edwards is a dude. Sometimes, you only get the entire picture after seeing a guy in full pads. Don’t get me wrong, I thought he was physically impressive in shorts and helmets and shorts and shoulder pads, but Wednesday’s full-padded practice really showed off the freshman’s 6-foot-6, 264-pound frame. He moves well too. Will primarily be an inline TE for Alabama, but he can also be a flex option who provides a lot more as a receiver out there than CJ Dippre or Robbie Ouzts. True mismatch potential. I love the balanced skillset this guy brings to the table. His size and strength provide a capable blocker, assuming there’s a mean streak behind them, and he’s a capable pass catcher who can uncover some underneath and provide a seam option in the passing game. I’m a fan.
-There was more shakeup with the offensive line, but it didn’t come with the first team. For the third consecutive practice, the first group included Kadyn Proctor (LT), Kam Dewberry (LG), Parker Brailsford (C), Geno VanDeMark (RG) and Wilkin Formby (RT). Jaeden Roberts, from what I saw, worked exclusively with the second group, which consisted of Olaus Alinen (LT), Will Sanders (LG), Jo Ionata (C) and Roberts (RG) with freshmen Jackson Lloyd and Michael Carroll rotating at RT. I’ve mostly seen Lloyd working at LT, so this felt like somewhat of a new development, but the Roberts situation is interesting. Like, there was a pretty consistent, quick rotation at RT with the freshmen, who were both clearly getting work with the second group. Why couldn’t they do that at LG or RG? And maybe they were and I just missed it, but from the limited I saw, Roberts was clearly with the second group. We’ll continue to monitor the situation the best that we can.
-Casey Poe was getting some work as a sixth blocker at TE, but that was probably because one was needed with there not being any tight ends over there during that drill. We also noticed that Proctor had a lethal down block that flattened the walk-on who was lined up across from him. His raw power is insane, as it didn’t look intentional — these walk-ons probably deserve more praise (lol).
-Isaiah Horton might be the smoothest wide receiver on the roster. Everything looks so effortless. You can tell he’s got strong hands, and he has a great understanding of when to attack the football to bring it in. At 6-4, 209 pounds, he’s obviously long, but he’s also got savviness as a route-runner — and as I’ve said before, he’s a presence on those in-breaking routes that let him work across the middle of the field. Yes, he’s more of an outside-only receiver than most of the other guys on the roster, but more of the route tree is available to him than some may realize.
-You can tell Deontae Lawson still isn’t 100%. Is he getting there? There’s no doubt, but watching him go through a drill where the linebackers were showing blitz and bailing, he looked a little clunky moving backwards and having to turn and run. Obviously, this was to be expected, but it’s at least worth monitoring. I’m sure he’ll be much further along by the time Florida State rolls around in a few weeks. Nikhai Hill-Green is another one who looks even bigger in pads. Not the smoothest athlete working backwards, but that’s never been his game anyways. Physical, downhill thumper who should improve the second-level run fits when he’s out there. Justin Jefferson, on the other hand, looks like a defensive back working those types of drills. Very fluid and rangy. QB Reese continued to work with the veteran group with Cayden Jones working with the freshmen.
-Lotzeir Brooks was out there once again, but similar to the last few practices, he was donning a black-no contact jersey and getting some work in on the side. He was out of the boot though and working the ropes rather than riding the stationary bike.
-Ryan Grubb said on Tuesday that you typically want at least three running backs ready to be a part of the game plan on a weekly basis. And so far through fall camp, the top three have consistently been Jam Miller, Richard Young and Daniel Hill with Dre’Lyn Washington working as the fourth guy in line. Washington is the biggest threat to that trio, but I wouldn’t be shocked if those first three were the main rotation this fall. It depends though, as Young and Hill both bring a similar power element while Washington brings something a little different as far as juice and wiggle.
-It was hard to see the cornerbacks from the angles we were given today, but I didn’t notice Cam Calhoun working with the Husky group. The only scholarship players over there were DaShawn Jones and Dre Kirkpatrick Jr., which probably means he was with the perimeter corners again. Speaking of Kirkpatrick looks physically ready to contribute. Don’t know if he’ll continue to hang onto that second Husky spot, but I’m blown away by the progress he’s made. He’s going to be a good player in due time.
