The Kalen DeBoer era of Alabama football preseason camp began on Wednesday. The Crimson Tide opened practice in Tuscaloosa, in preparation for the 2024 season-opener against Western Kentucky.
DeBoer’s most obvious change from how Nick Saban ran practice was the time. Alabama is now a morning practice team, with start time set for 9:05 a.m. CT.
The new Crimson Tide head coach is set to address media members after Wednesday’s practice. Before that, here’s our observations from Alabama’s opening day of camp.
– Reporters were allowed in beginning with the fourth period of practice.
– Endor’s “Pump it up” was the first song on the playlist, with music a new DeBoer introduction to practice, starting in spring football.
– Temperature was 83 degrees in Tuscaloosa during practice and the hydration team was hard at work, ferrying water and ice to players around the field.
– After being down to two practice fields for spring ball due to construction, Alabama was back to full strength with three for the start of camp. The field furthest away from media members was mostly used for special team drills during the observable periods.
– Besides the quarterbacks, no players appeared in black jerseys for the Crimson Tide, which signify non-contact participants in practice.
– The observable periods didn’t contain any sort of scrimmaging, with players scattered in group and individual drills based upon position.
– Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson took snaps as the apparent starter and backup during drills, as expected. Justice Haynes and Jam Miller paired with Milroe and Simpson respectively when the groups were together.
– The practice offered the first chance to see Ryan Williams in an Alabama practice uniform. He made a one-handed grab and had some other solid catches.
– DeBoer mostly coached with the quarterbacks throughout the observable periods. Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack stuck with the linebackers for the most part. Wommack also spent some time with the defensive line as Freddie Roach led a drill.
– A few number changes for Alabama since spring. Wide receiver Cole Adams switched from 13 to 7, while defensive back Zabien Brown went from 15 to 2. Transfer linebacker Justin Jefferson took over 15.
– Parker Brailsford was back on the field after missing spring practice due to personal issues. He appeared to mostly be working with the second-string offensive line, at center.
– The observable practice time ended after the eighth period.
