What we’ve discovered about Alabama football throughout the first week of spring practice

As the Alabama Crimson Tide embarks on another spring practice session, the excitement surrounding the program is palpable. Under the leadership of head coach Nick Saban, Alabama has continued its dominance in college football for over a decade, establishing itself as a perennial powerhouse. With each new season comes a new set of questions—about talent development, the integration of newcomers, positional battles, and the potential to bounce back from previous challenges. This year is no different.

Spring practice is a time for teams to experiment, fine-tune their systems, and evaluate their roster. For Alabama, the first week of spring practice has provided valuable insight into what the 2025 team could look like, where it is excelling, and where it might need further work. With a fresh batch of recruits, some key returning players, and new coaching staff dynamics, the first week of spring practice has been crucial for shaping the expectations for the Crimson Tide in the upcoming season.

In this article, we will take a look at what we’ve learned about Alabama football after the first week of spring practice. From standout performances to positional battles, from the offense to the defense, and from new faces to familiar ones, we will explore the key takeaways and how they may impact the team moving forward.

1. The Quarterback Battle Is Heating Up

One of the most talked-about storylines entering spring practice was the quarterback competition. After Bryce Young’s departure for the NFL, Alabama needed to find its next signal-caller—one who could lead the offense back to national championship contention. The first week of spring practice has given fans a glimpse into how this battle is shaping up, with multiple quarterbacks vying for the starting job.

• Ty Simpson: Ty Simpson, who saw limited action in 2023, has been one of the favorites to take over the starting role. The sophomore quarterback has demonstrated impressive arm strength and accuracy in practice, with reports indicating that he is becoming more comfortable running the offense. Simpson has the physical tools to succeed at a high level, but his ability to handle the pressure and manage the game will be key. His development during the spring could be the difference between him becoming the starter or allowing another quarterback to seize the job.
• Jalen Milroe: Another player in the mix is Jalen Milroe, who has experience as a backup quarterback and a potential dual-threat option. Milroe’s mobility and playmaking ability are strengths, but his consistency as a passer has been a point of focus during the offseason. In the first week of spring practice, Milroe has shown flashes of his ability to extend plays with his legs and make accurate throws, but he will need to prove that he can operate with the precision expected of an Alabama quarterback.
• Newcomer Eli Holstein: Freshman Eli Holstein, an early enrollee and highly-rated recruit, has also made an impression in his first spring practice sessions. Though he is still adjusting to the college game, Holstein’s poise and decision-making abilities have drawn praise from coaches. He will likely have to wait for his opportunity to play, but his potential makes him one to watch in the future.

Though it is still early in the process, the first week of spring practice has made it clear that the quarterback position is up for grabs. While Simpson and Milroe seem to be leading the charge, Holstein’s development could make this an even more competitive battle as the spring progresses. By the end of spring practice, Alabama will have a better sense of who the leader of its offense will be heading into the fall.

2. The Offensive Line’s Development Is Critical

For years, Alabama’s offensive line has been the backbone of its offense, consistently providing stellar pass protection and opening holes for the running game. The first week of spring practice has shown that the offensive line will again be a focal point for Nick Saban and his coaching staff in 2025.

• Key Returners: The Crimson Tide’s offensive line returns a few key pieces from the previous year, including All-SEC caliber tackle J.C. Latham. Latham has been a consistent performer on the edge, and his leadership will be crucial for the development of the line. Other returners, like left tackle Tyler Booker and center Seth McLaughlin, have been working on improving their communication and cohesion. Both players will be integral in ensuring the offensive line can operate at a high level in 2025.
• New Faces: Alabama’s recruiting efforts have bolstered the offensive line depth with the addition of several highly-touted freshmen and transfers. Freshman standout Kadyn Proctor, a 5-star recruit, has impressed during the first week of practice. His blend of size, athleticism, and technique makes him a likely candidate to contribute early. In addition, transfer portal acquisitions have added depth to the group, with players like former LSU offensive lineman Kimo McKendry already beginning to mesh with the returning players.
• Positional Battles: One of the most exciting developments has been the positional battles along the offensive line. While Latham and Booker are likely locked into their starting roles, several positions, including left guard and right tackle, remain up for grabs. Alabama will spend much of the spring determining the best combinations to protect the quarterback and create running lanes for the tailbacks.

While there is still a lot of work to do, the first week of spring practice has shown that the offensive line is a mix of experienced players and promising newcomers. This unit’s development will be critical to the success of the offense, particularly in terms of establishing balance and protecting the quarterback.

3. Defensive Line Depth Continues to Be a Strength

On the other side of the ball, the defensive line remains a point of strength for Alabama, and the first week of spring practice has reaffirmed this. The Tide’s ability to generate pressure up front and stop the run will be key to their defensive success in 2025.

• Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell: The outside linebacker duo of Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell will likely continue to be a key part of Alabama’s defense, especially in terms of rushing the passer. Turner, in particular, has been a standout since his freshman year and looks poised to take another leap forward. He has been practicing with more confidence and added strength this spring, and his ability to disrupt quarterbacks will be a major factor in Alabama’s defensive schemes. Braswell, meanwhile, offers a solid complement with his speed and ability to get after the passer.
• Interior Depth: Alabama’s interior defensive line also continues to shine. Players like Jaheim Oatis and Tim Keenan have shown promise in spring practice, demonstrating their ability to clog up running lanes and create havoc in the backfield. Oatis, a 6-foot-5, 340-pound defensive tackle, is a mountain of a player who can dominate the line of scrimmage. If he continues to develop, he could become a force for Alabama in 2025. Keenan, another strong presence in the middle, is providing solid depth, and both players will help the defense stay fresh throughout the season.
• Position Group Depth: With so much talent on the defensive line, the depth Alabama has at this position is a huge advantage. The Crimson Tide can rotate fresh bodies in and out of the game, keeping the defensive front energized throughout the contest. This depth will allow Alabama to sustain pressure on opposing quarterbacks, which is vital to their success against high-powered offenses.

Overall, the defensive line is one of the team’s deepest and most experienced units, and the first week of spring practice has shown that this group is primed to continue its dominance.

4. Wide Receiver Position is Unsettled But Promising

Another major point of focus in spring practice has been the wide receiver position. With the departure of several key players from last season, including top receiver Jermaine Burton, Alabama needed to find new playmakers on the outside.

• Kobe Prentice: One of the standout players at receiver so far has been Kobe Prentice. As a freshman in 2024, Prentice showed flashes of potential, and reports from the first week of spring practice suggest that he’s poised for a breakout year. His speed, route running, and ability to make plays after the catch make him a dangerous weapon in Alabama’s offense. If Prentice can continue to develop, he could emerge as the go-to option for whoever wins the starting quarterback job.
• Treshon Holden and Isaiah Bond: Both Treshon Holden and Isaiah Bond are also in the mix for significant playing time. Holden, a junior, has the size and physicality to be a reliable target in the red zone, while Bond’s speed could make him a deep threat. The competition at wide receiver is fierce, and it will be interesting to see which players emerge as the top contributors throughout the spring.
• Freshman Impact: Alabama also has some exciting freshman wide receivers, including 5-star recruit Jalen Hale. Hale has already shown a strong understanding of the offense and appears to be adjusting quickly to the college game. His size and athleticism make him a potential future star, and it will be interesting to see if he can break into the rotation early in the season.

Though there are still a lot of questions surrounding the wide receiver corps, the first week of spring practice has shown that Alabama has a strong mix of experienced players and exciting young talents ready to step up.

5. The Secondary Looks Strong, Especially at Cornerback

Finally, Alabama’s secondary remains one of the best in the country, and spring practice has reinforced that belief. With the return of several key players, the Crimson Tide’s defensive backfield looks poised to remain a strength in 2025.

• Kool-Aid McKinstry: McKinstry, who has developed into one of the top cornerbacks in the SEC, will be a cornerstone of Alabama’s secondary. His ability to lock down receivers on the outside allows the defense to be more aggressive with their blitz packages. McKinstry’s growth and leadership in the defensive backfield are crucial to Alabama’s defense as a whole.
• Jahlil Hurley: Jahlil Hurley, a rising star in the cornerback room, has also impressed during spring practice. His ability to cover a wide range of receivers and provide solid support in both man and zone schemes makes him a valuable asset to the team.
• Safety Depth: Alabama’s safety position, which has seen the departure of some key veterans, is still solid. Players like Malachi Moore and Jordan Battle are providing leadership, while the younger players are gaining valuable experience. If the safeties can maintain their level of play and complement the cornerbacks, Alabama will be tough to beat through the air.