After two spring football practices, the opinions of Alabama players toward Ryan Grubb

In the world of college football, spring practice is often a time for renewal, experimentation, and adjustment. Players return from a winter of training, ready to learn new schemes, get acquainted with new coaching staff, and embrace fresh philosophies. For Alabama football, one of the most significant changes this offseason has been the hiring of Ryan Grubb as the new offensive coordinator. Grubb, known for his innovative approach to offense and success at Washington, represents a major shift in Alabama’s offensive identity, moving away from a traditional, power-running offense to a more dynamic, pass-oriented scheme.

As Alabama’s players take the field for the first few days of spring practice, the anticipation surrounding Grubb’s system is palpable. The players are not only adapting to his style of coaching, but they are also adjusting to the adjustments he has made to Alabama’s offensive structure. After two spring practices, what are the opinions of the Alabama players toward Ryan Grubb? How has his offensive philosophy impacted the players’ confidence, attitudes, and expectations? In this analysis, we’ll explore how Alabama’s players are receiving their new offensive coordinator and what they’re saying about the changes in store.

The Transition to a Modern Offensive Philosophy

Before Grubb’s arrival, Alabama football’s offense was largely defined by its commitment to a pro-style, run-heavy attack. Under Nick Saban, the offense was built around dominating the line of scrimmage and relying on a strong, physical running game, complemented by a controlled, conservative passing attack. While this formula has led to plenty of success, including national championships, the modern landscape of college football has evolved, with more programs embracing up-tempo, pass-heavy systems.

Grubb, who most recently served as the offensive coordinator at Washington, is known for implementing a balanced, fast-paced offense that can attack defenses both through the air and on the ground. He helped develop Michael Penix Jr. into a Heisman contender, and his philosophy centers on getting the ball out quickly, creating mismatches, and pushing the tempo. Grubb’s ability to design plays that move the ball efficiently and effectively has quickly earned him a reputation as one of the most dynamic offensive minds in college football.

This transition toward a more pass-friendly, up-tempo style of play marks a departure from Alabama’s traditional offensive mindset. Naturally, this shift raises questions among the players. After all, a new system means new responsibilities and expectations, and such changes can be difficult to navigate, especially for players who were accustomed to a different style of play.

The Quarterbacks’ Perspective: Learning a New System

For Alabama’s quarterbacks, the transition to Grubb’s offensive system is perhaps the most significant change. The quarterbacks are tasked with executing a new playbook and developing a better understanding of Grubb’s play-action passing, up-tempo offense, and fast-paced decision-making.

Jalen Milroe, Ty Simpson, and other quarterbacks on the roster have expressed a mixture of excitement and optimism about the changes Grubb is bringing to Alabama’s offense. After two practices, it’s clear that Grubb’s emphasis on quarterback development is having a positive effect on the players’ confidence levels. Milroe, in particular, has shown significant improvement in his ability to read defenses quickly and make quicker decisions in the pocket. This has been one of Grubb’s strengths as a coach, and Alabama’s quarterbacks are already feeling the benefits.

Milroe, who possesses a strong arm and great mobility, has said that Grubb’s offense gives him more freedom to use his athleticism while making quick, decisive throws. The system encourages quarterbacks to make decisions based on what the defense gives them, pushing the quarterbacks to become more active in their decision-making. Players like Milroe, known for their dual-threat potential, find themselves thriving in this style of offense that opens up opportunities both in the air and on the ground.

Ty Simpson, who has been battling for the starting job, has shown impressive poise in adapting to Grubb’s offense. In his comments following the early spring practices, Simpson highlighted how Grubb’s offense offers more versatility and freedom in the passing game, allowing the quarterbacks to attack all areas of the field—something that was at times limited in Alabama’s previous system. Simpson’s understanding of the offense is improving rapidly, and his confidence is growing with each practice. The new offensive playbook and emphasis on quarterback decision-making is undoubtedly challenging, but Simpson appreciates the opportunity to grow under Grubb’s guidance.

Both Milroe and Simpson have mentioned the increased pace of play and how Grubb’s fast tempo forces quarterbacks to process information quickly, which is a crucial element of the modern college football game. The quarterbacks are being asked to read defenses more quickly and deliver accurate throws with less time to think. While it can be overwhelming, both Milroe and Simpson are confident that this new challenge will help them become better players and better leaders for the team.

Wide Receivers: Ready for More Action

For Alabama’s wide receivers, Grubb’s offense offers a breath of fresh air. The Tide’s receiving corps has long been a group with elite talent, but they have sometimes been relegated to secondary roles in the offense’s focus on the running game. With Grubb’s offense, the wide receivers are expected to play a more prominent role, with more opportunities to run complex routes and make explosive plays downfield.

Jermaine Burton, one of Alabama’s top wideouts, has voiced his excitement about Grubb’s system, noting how the pace and design of the offense open up more opportunities for wide receivers to get involved. Burton mentioned that, in previous systems, wide receivers were sometimes left on the outside, with limited touches. Now, with Grubb’s offense, receivers like Burton are expected to have more variety in their routes and be more involved in the passing game. This has given the wide receivers an increased sense of responsibility and motivation, knowing that they will be relied upon to create big plays.

Ja’Corey Brooks, another key receiver, echoed these sentiments. After the first few practices under Grubb, he commented on how the offense utilizes every receiver in the system, making the passing attack more unpredictable. Brooks has already started to develop strong chemistry with the quarterbacks, something that was emphasized during Grubb’s early spring practices. The faster pace of play and a wider variety of route concepts have made the receivers feel more integrated into the offense, and they are eager to showcase their talents in a system that values their contributions.

Additionally, the increased tempo and passing opportunities have pushed the wide receivers to improve their conditioning and mental sharpness. They are running more plays at a faster pace, which requires them to remain sharp both physically and mentally. For the wide receivers, the more intense spring practices have been demanding, but they’ve embraced the challenge, eager to become key players in the offense’s new identity.

The Running Backs: A New Role in a Pass-Heavy System

One of the more intriguing aspects of Ryan Grubb’s offense is how it integrates the running backs into the passing game. Historically, Alabama’s running backs have been central to the team’s success, with players like Derrick Henry, Najee Harris, and Brian Robinson Jr. carrying the offensive load. However, with Grubb’s arrival, the running backs will not only be expected to run the ball effectively but also be more involved in the passing attack.

Running backs like Jahmyr Gibbs, who joined Alabama from Georgia Tech, have already noted the increased role in the passing game. Gibbs, a versatile back known for his receiving ability, is thrilled by the new opportunities in Grubb’s system. He’s been vocal about how Grubb’s offense gives running backs the chance to showcase their skills as receivers out of the backfield. This change has added a new dimension to the running back position, making it more diverse and adaptable.

Gibbs has said that the faster tempo of the offense requires the running backs to stay more engaged and be prepared to contribute at all times. The pace and volume of plays run in practice have pushed him to improve his conditioning and his ability to read defenses quickly. In Grubb’s system, running backs will need to be more than just ball carriers—they’ll need to be well-rounded players who can catch passes, block, and contribute in various ways to the offense’s success.

Offensive Line: Adjusting to Faster Play

For Alabama’s offensive line, the shift to a more up-tempo offense presents its own unique challenges. While the offensive line is still expected to dominate in the run game, they must now adapt to a faster-paced system, where they’ll need to execute their blocks quickly and efficiently to keep the offense moving at a high tempo.

The offensive line has shown a willingness to embrace the change. Players like Tyler Steen and J.C. Latham have expressed optimism about Grubb’s offensive system, noting that the faster pace allows them to be more aggressive and involved in the play. The offensive line’s role in Grubb’s system is crucial, as they need to maintain a consistent push both in the run game and in pass protection as the tempo increases.

While the quicker pace can be demanding on the offensive line, they recognize that it offers more opportunities for success. The offensive line is more involved in plays, and the faster tempo ensures that opposing defenses can’t get comfortable. The offensive line’s attitude toward Grubb has been one of excitement, as they are eager to adapt to the new system and help Alabama’s offense take the next step forward.