TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - OCTOBER 02: Bryce Young #9 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after a touchdown against the Mississippi Rebels during the second half at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 02, 2021 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Tide fans and the rest of the college football world will not have to wait long to see a new era of Alabama football as it was announced on Monday that ESPN will be televising Kalen DeBoer’s inaugural A-Day Game on April 13 at 3 p.m. CT.
According to ESPN’s press release, Alabama’s spring game will be the only one on ESPN.
I’m sure other fanbases will receive that news well. This spring game carries plenty of intrigue.
It sounds like the running backs are going to be much more involved in the passing game.
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“We’re going to ask them to do different things, trying to find out what they do best,” Alabama offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan said. “But certainly protecting the football, running the ball, pass protection, catching out of the backfield. It’s a group that can do all those things.”
“We’ve run a lot more routes, installed a lot more routes now,” sophomore running back Justice Haynes said. “Which is really good, you get to showcase your talent in all aspects of the game and be a complete back, which I love.”
As far as running the ball goes, it sounds like Wilkin Formby has been the name to watch at right tackle.
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There’s no bigger need for development than at tackle. Redshirt sophomore Elijah Pritchett, who earned some playing time at left tackle last season, is in pole position with the first unit through one week. At right tackle, one name that has impressed early is redshirt freshman Wilkin Formby. At 6-7 and 320 pounds, Formby’s frame is closer to what Washington utilized in 2023 as opposed to his predecessor Latham, who played at 350-plus. Formby’s year spent developing behind the projected first-round pick has yielded positive results, as he seems more equipped to deal with a big role.
The unit has been cross training across the board, and there have even been conversations about Booker sliding out to tackle, but Texas A&M transfer Naquil Betrand has spent time at left tackle behind Pritchett, and redshirt freshman Miles McVay is battling with Formby at right tackle.
From the “Kalen can’t recruit “ department.
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Alabama lands commitment from in-state 4-star Derick Smith
The commitment is a recruiting win for new Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer, who landed Smith over a plethora of other suitors. The wideout also had offers from Auburn, Georgia and Texas among others.
Smith became the fifth commitment for Alabama in the class of 2025. He became the highest-ranked player on the 247Sports composite to join the class for the Crimson Tide.
Four of the five of the commitments so far have come from in-state players, with athlete Zymear Smith from Maryland the only exception.
