5 things Alabama football must take care of before A Day spring game

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The Alabama Crimson Tide is gearing up for its highly anticipated A-Day Spring Game, a key event for the program as it prepares for the upcoming season. For Nick Saban and his coaching staff, A-Day serves not only as a showcase of the team’s progress but also as a vital step in solidifying Alabama’s place at the top of college football.

With A-Day just around the corner, Alabama has several critical tasks to address before they take the field. The spring game provides a unique opportunity to evaluate new talent, experiment with different lineups, and refine game plans for the fall. However, before stepping onto the field for A-Day, there are specific areas Alabama must focus on to ensure they are on track for another dominant season in the SEC and on the national stage.

From solidifying the quarterback position to fine-tuning their defensive strategy, here are five things Alabama football must take care of before A-Day to set themselves up for success in the 2024 season.

1. Finalizing the Quarterback Battle

The quarterback position is always a focal point for Alabama football, but this year, the position battle is particularly intense. With Jalen Milroe, the explosive dual-threat quarterback, returning for his second year as a starter, the competition for the starting role is still very much open. Along with Milroe, Alabama also has talented quarterbacks like Tyler Buchner, the transfer from Notre Dame, and Brock Glenn, an incoming freshman who has impressed coaches during spring practices.

For Alabama to move forward confidently into the fall, Nick Saban and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees need to use A-Day as an opportunity to settle the quarterback competition once and for all. Milroe has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly with his ability to make plays with his legs, but questions remain about his consistency as a passer. Buchner, on the other hand, brings experience and poise to the table, but has yet to prove himself in Alabama’s system.

Here’s what must be addressed before A-Day:

• Evaluation of Passing Consistency: Milroe’s ability to make accurate throws in tight windows and in clutch situations is a crucial element that must be refined. Buchner’s proficiency in the passing game will need to be demonstrated in a live-action setting, and Glenn will need to show that he can handle the pressure of the SEC as a freshman.
• Decision-Making Under Pressure: Quarterbacks need to be able to handle adversity in a high-stakes game, and A-Day should simulate as much of that pressure as possible. Alabama needs to see who can lead the offense effectively during critical moments and who has the mental toughness to handle the pressure of being the Tide’s signal-caller.
• Run Game and Play Action Integration: With Milroe’s dual-threat ability, the offense will need to be designed to exploit that. Saban and Rees will need to ensure that the quarterback’s ability to read defenses and make the right decisions in play-action situations is polished before A-Day. This includes being able to run the ball effectively, as well as executing timely play-action fakes to open up the passing game.

A-Day will be the perfect opportunity to test these aspects, and while a final decision won’t be made immediately, the spring game will serve as a pivotal moment for the quarterback battle.

2. Building Chemistry on the Offensive Line

A dominant offensive line is the foundation of any successful football program, and for Alabama, it’s especially critical. As always, the Crimson Tide has talent on the line, but there is a need for cohesion and consistency to ensure that the running game remains strong, and the quarterbacks have adequate protection in the pocket. Alabama has lost a few key players to the NFL Draft, and now it’s up to the new crop of linemen to step up and prove they can fill those gaps.

Before A-Day, Alabama must focus on:

• Position Battles Across the Line: Alabama has several positions up for grabs on the offensive line, including center, left tackle, and the right guard spot. The spring game will be a chance to see how these players mesh together in real-game situations. The potential to rotate players in and out and experiment with different combinations will be key to solidifying the best starting five.
• Run Blocking and Protection Schemes: The offensive line’s primary responsibility is to create holes for the running backs and provide the quarterback with enough time to make plays. Alabama’s offense is built on a balanced attack, and the offensive line must excel in both facets. In particular, Alabama needs to ensure they can establish dominance in short-yardage situations and at the goal line.
• Developing Depth and Versatility: With the brutal SEC schedule ahead, depth is critical for the offensive line. The spring game will be a chance to see how well the backups handle real-game situations. Injuries can and do happen, so having versatile linemen capable of stepping in and playing multiple positions is crucial for the long-term success of the unit.

Alabama’s offensive line has been a hallmark of its success in recent years, and heading into 2024, the program needs to make sure that it continues to be a strength rather than a potential liability. The groundwork for that starts well before A-Day.

3. Defining the Defensive Front Seven

Alabama’s defense is one of the most feared in the country, and with the departure of key players like Will Anderson Jr. and Byron Young, the defensive front seven will need to reload and redefine itself heading into the 2024 season. Alabama’s ability to dominate the line of scrimmage and disrupt the opposing offense is crucial to its success, and the spring game will be a key opportunity for Kevin Steele, the Tide’s defensive coordinator, to see how his front seven has developed.

Before A-Day, Alabama must address the following issues:

• Pass Rush and Pressure: With the loss of Will Anderson, the pass-rush ability of the Crimson Tide will need to evolve. Dallas Turner will be asked to be the leader in this area, but Alabama needs to find other players who can create pressure off the edge. Players like Chris Braswell and Keanu Koht could emerge as secondary pass-rushers who can take some pressure off Turner and keep opposing quarterbacks uncomfortable.
• Inside Presence: Alabama’s defensive line will need to solidify the interior presence as well. Players like Jaheim Oatis and Tim Keenan Jr. are critical to clogging running lanes and maintaining gap discipline. A strong defensive line allows the linebackers to roam free and make plays, and this chemistry will need to be sharpened before A-Day.
• Linebacker Play: With Henry To’o To’o back for another season, Alabama’s linebacker group should be solid, but it’s important to develop the depth behind him. Players like Kendrick Blackshire and Shane Lee need to show they can step in and contribute if needed. Additionally, Alabama needs to ensure that linebackers can cover tight ends and running backs in the passing game, an area that has often been a vulnerability in the past.
• Run Defense: Alabama’s defense must establish itself as a dominant run-stopping unit. The physicality that has defined Tide defenses under Nick Saban must return in 2024, and the spring game will give Alabama a chance to assess the progress of its run-stopping schemes, particularly in short-yardage and red zone situations.

With Alabama facing potent offenses in the SEC, including Georgia, LSU, and Ole Miss, the defensive front seven will be critical to the Tide’s success. The spring game provides an opportunity for coaches to test these defensive players under game-like conditions.

4. Maximizing Special Teams Efficiency

While often overlooked, special teams can be the difference between winning and losing, particularly in close, high-stakes games. Alabama has often excelled in this area, but there are still questions to be addressed before A-Day. The Tide needs to solidify their kicking game, punt coverage, and return teams to ensure they’re fully prepared for the grind of a championship season.

Key areas of focus include:

• Kicking Game Consistency: The placekicker position has seen turnover in recent years, and Will Reichard‘s departure leaves a noticeable void. Whoever steps in as the new kicker must demonstrate consistency in field goals, particularly from long distances. Additionally, the kickoff coverage unit will need to ensure they can pin opponents deep in their own territory.
• Punt Coverage and Return Game: Special teams can often shift the momentum of a game, and Alabama needs to refine both its punt return and punt coverage. Having explosive returners is essential to setting up short fields for the offense. The ability to secure clean returns without turnovers will be a priority heading into A-Day.
• Consistency in Punting: The Tide’s punting game must also be solid, with punters capable of flipping the field and providing Alabama with an advantage in field position. Players competing for the job need to show they can consistently execute under pressure.

5. Developing Depth at Key Positions

Alabama’s success has always been built on depth, and as the 2024 season approaches, the Tide must ensure they have solid backups ready to step in when needed. This includes developing depth at positions like wide receiver, defensive back, and the offensive line.

Alabama needs to use A-Day as an opportunity to evaluate how well their backups perform in game-like situations, ensuring that there’s no drop-off in production if starters go down with injuries. The ability to rotate fresh players without

sacrificing performance is a key component of Saban’s philosophy.