5 positive takeaways from Alabama football’s spring practice

Alabama football wrapped up spring practice Thursday on the campus of the University of Alabama, and there is plenty to take away from the Tide’s 15 on-field practice sessions.

Here is a look at five positive takeaways:

Big Play Potential Out Wide

Alabama football has big-play potential at wide receiver and tight end. This was on display throughout the spring, and fans got to to see this on A-Day when Ryan Coleman-Williams, Rico Scott, Derek Meadows, Marshall Pritchett, Kaleb Edwards and Cederian Morgan made their fair share of plays in the passing game with Austin Mack and Keelon Russell delivering the football. While Lotzeir Brooks did not have a big performance during Alabama’s A-Day scrimmage, he flashed what he could bring to the table as a freshman during the 2025 season. Noah Rogers is another wide receiver who garnered praise for his ability to make plays this spring before he went down with a significant injury. Once he does return to the field, he will add to the big-play potential of this aspect of the Tide’s offense.

Impactful Freshmen

Freshmen making plays has become a consistent trend in Tuscaloosa under Kalen DeBoer. Ryan Williams, Zabien Brown, Dijon Lee, London Simmons, Michael Carroll, Kaleb Edwards, Lotzeir Brooks and Red Morgan are all proof of this. So, which freshmen will step up for Alabama in 2026? This spring has put multiple in position to do so, including Jireh Edwards (safety), Cederian Morgan (wide receiver), Jorden Edmonds (cornerback), Xavier Griffin (linebacker), Jamarion Mathhews (linebacker), Trae’shawn Brown (running back) and Mhari Johnson (defensive line). EJ Crowell is also still a candidate to make an impact in year one, but the former five-star running back will need to bounce back from a lower-body injury first to position himself to do so.

Defensive Depth

One of several strength of the Crimson Tide’s defense this fall may just be its depth. The aforementioned freshmen defenders are expected to play a role in the Tide having depth on the defensive side of the football, with most of them playing positions where established starters will likely be in front of them on the Tide’s season-opening depth chart. Alabama’s secondary looks to be filled with what its staff would call trusted depth. Ivan Taylor, Dre Kirkpatrick Jr., Zavier Mincey, Carmelo O’Neal, Edmonds and Edwards give this group a lot to be excited about from a depth perspective behind Zabien Brown, Dijon Lee, Bray Hubbard and Keon Sabb. Caleb Woodson is expected to lead Alabama’s inside linebacker, with Cayden Jones, Luke Metz, QB Reese, Duke Johnson and Abduall Sanders potentially finding a role for themselves in a likely three to four-man inside linebacker rotation. Alabama’s Wolf linebacker position is one where several of them will make an impact, with Yhonzae Pierre, Justin Hill and Desmond Umeozulu expected to be key contributors. The Tide’s defensive line group rounds on the defense and depth should be a strength there as well.

Offensive Line Coming Together

Alabama football completely revamped its offensive line after the 2025 season, after losing six offensive lineman with starting experience to the transfer portal and the NFL. The Tide rebuilt its offensive line by using a mix of returning players, transfer acquisitions and high school signings. This group took a major step forward this spring by building a framework for its foundation. The starting group looks to have been close to complete this spring, with Jayvin James at right tackle, Michael Carroll at right guard, Racin Delgatty at center, Mal Waldrep at left guard and Jackson Lloyd at left tackle for most of the spring. This group is not set in stone, with Will Sanders expected to compete at guard with Waldrep once he returns from injury. This spring was clearly a step in the right direction for Alabama’s offensive line.

Kicking

Alabama’s kicking game had its ups and downs during the 2025 season, with Conor Talty starting at kicker. Talty ended the season strong, and he has returned to the Tide, but his starting role is not guaranteed after the Tide pulled Lorcan Quinn from the transfer portal. Quinn was 21-of-26 on field goals last season at Marshall with a long of 55. Talty was 16-of-23 with a long of 48. Quinn nailed all three of his field goal attempts on A-Day with a long of 47. Talty was 1-of-2. Quinn looks to have some momentum following the spring, and he could deliver consistency to the Tide.