Caleb Suggs

Hartselle Enquirer

As spring football was ending and spring games were in full force on April 16^th, all eyes were on Tuscaloosa as fans poured into Bryant Denny stadium to watch the defending National champions and see what Nick Saban’s squad will be like this fall. Like usual the defense dominated in the low scoring spring affair and showed that, despite the loss of 8-year coordinator Kirby Smart, they will still be a force to be reckoned with.

For the past couple years analysts have written the Tide off as the year that they would have a significant drop off and it usually started with an average spring game due to quarterback controversy. In 2014 the Tide responded with Blake Sims leading the charge to an 12-2 season, an SEC championship and a berth in the college football playoff before losing to eventual champion Ohio State. In 2015 Jacob Coker took the reigns, or the more the ball, and handed it to Heisman trophy winner Derrick Henry who led the charge to a 14-1 season, an SEC championship and a National championship. This year Alabama is faced with yet another quarterback controversy, their third in as many years, and analyst are raising questions again. However, most have decided to wait until the season pans out before making any accusations.

It has been a four-player quarterback race so far this spring between Cooper Bateman, David Corwell, Blake Barnett and Jalen Hurts. In Saturday’s game Bateman and Cornwell, the more experienced players, took all the snaps with the first string  while the youngster’s Barnett and Hurts took the snaps with the second team. Barnett and Hurts had the best day although they didn’t face as stiff as competition as they only faced the second team defense. Still, they proved they have the talent to be special playmakers should they take over the reigns one day. Barnett made some good passes and showcased his strong arm while not making any crucial errors such as throwing interceptions. He still showed he has some developing to do though as he bobbled some snaps, stayed in the pocket too long and scrambled when he didn’t need to which resulted in 2 sacks in the first half. Hurts was the surprise of the day as he showed the poise of a player that has been with the Tide for a while instead of just since January. Hurts also threw the only touchdown of the game and showed a dual threat ability that had fans on the edge of their seats. Meanwhile, Bateman and Cornwell faced a lot of struggles on the day which was understandable giving that they had to face the Tide’s top defense. Bateman is the favorite to win the job, as he is the most experienced and the only quarterback to have started a game for the Tide. He struggled with some throws especially any that were deep, but showed that given some time he should be able to fill in as the Tide’s starter which most believe he will be. Cornwell seems to be the guy that has all the tools to be an Alabama quarterback but can’t seem to put them together. He struggle the whole game and couldn’t seem to make the most basic of passes.

Other positions in the offense also faced struggles on the day. The Tide will have to replace Heisman winner Derrick Henry and two star sophomores are the ones for the job. Bo Scarbrough is the apparent heir to Henry, given that he has the same build, but didn’t have the day most thought he would as the first team had -5 rushing yards on the day. Damien Harris was the star of the day as he rushed for over 100 yards, won the game MVP and made a statement that he won’t give up the starting job so easily. Scarbrough will be just fine, as long as he doesn’t let the hype about him go to his head, and Alabama will probably move back to a buddy system as running back this fall as they will have two stars who will be capable of carrying the load. The offensive line has a lot of work to do if they want to return to the power they were last season. The Tide return 3 starters on the line but only Ross Pierschbacher, who moved from guard to center, saw action. Left tackle Cam Robinson sat out due to precautionary reason and right guard Alphonse Taylor was demoted to second string that, according to coach Saban, could be Permanente if he doesn’t “drop some weight and get in shape”. Having those starters back will boast the strength of the line back up as putting four new faces out there will be difficult for even the very best teams. The wide receiver corp will no doubt be the strength of the team as Calvin Ridley, Robert Foster and Ardarious Stewart all return to the team and boast top NFL talent. Put them together with top tight end O.J. Howard and Alabama could have maybe the most dangerous passing attacks in the country provided they have a quarterback who can get them the ball.

The defense didn’t miss a single beat under new coordinator Jeremy Pruitt, who could possibly be ane even better coordinator than Smart with his strong past of turning out fantastic secondarys. Tim Williams was the talk of the day as he repeatedly whipped the offensive lineman all day and drew statements that he could possibly be the best pass rusher in the country. The Tide has to replace 8 starters from the 11 man depth chart of last year’s defense but fortunately for them the 8 men that will step up all saw some action on last year’s team. Veterans Brandon Allen, Reuban Foster and Eddie Jackson will help lead the new look defense. The only question the defense faces is if the new guys can handle the grind. Although the new guys all saw action last year, most of them played only on situational downs so they will have to prove they can be the every down guys and endure the grind of playing a full game. Depth will also be an issue. Last year the Tide boasted the deepest defensive unit in the country. This year only 1 maybe 2 players listed on the second team of Alabama’s two deep depth chart have seen any action.

The Tide don’t face an easy schedule this year with a game against a talented USC team plus road trips to Ole Miss, LSU and Tennessee. However, The Tide have the most talented roster in the country and given Saban’s track record will surely be in the National title picture once again this year.