Finally, at long last, Alabama football returns to practice this week.
The Crimson Tide will begin fall camp on Wednesday and continue through the end of August. Then coach Kalen DeBoer and company will face Western Kentucky on Aug. 31 at Bryant-Denny Stadium to kick off the season and open a new era of football in Tuscaloosa.
Plenty of questions wait to be answered, but there are also a few insights to have been gleaned before fall camp. Here are a few things we know and what we still wonder as Alabama gets set to begin preseason practices.
What we know: Serious buzz around Ryan Williams
Williams almost always gets brought up in conversations, unprompted. The common theme: The hype is not unwarranted. He’s got the ability to be a game-changing receiver.
Buzz grows louder by the day about the Saraland product. That began before he arrived and it hasn’t stopped since he joined the team after the spring. The wild part is, he’s supposed to be a senior in high school this season. Buy Williams stock now. From what we hear, you won’t regret it.
What we wonder: Will Ryan Williams start early in the season?
Williams isn’t the only talent in the receiver room. He’s certainly not the most experienced. Perhaps he comes off the bench early in the season instead of starting. After all, he didn’t join the team until after the spring. So it might make sense for him to work in as a backup to start, even with his sky-high potential.
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What we know: Right tackle a top camp battle to watch
Unless something unexpected happens, Kadyn Proctor is likely to return to his spot as the starting left tackle. The two guard positions and center spot are fair certainties with Tyler Booker, Parker Brailsford and Jaeden Roberts. Then there’s the right tackle spot. With JC Latham off to the NFL, Alabama has an opening. Wilkin Formby and Elijah Pritchett figure to be two of the top contenders there.
What we wonder: Will the right tackle battle continue into the season?
There’s a possibility we won’t know the starter heading into the first game, and multiple players could see snaps at right tackle. It’s not a given the battle will be decided in camp.
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What we know: Jihaad Campbell and Deontae Lawson primed for special seasons
Campbell and Lawson have to be excited about the chance to play in coordinator Kane Wommack’s defense. Both are experienced, and if used properly, can do some damage in 2024. We’re particularly interested to see how Wommack uses Campbell, whose athleticism will be an asset to the “Swarm defense” Wommack runs.
What we wonder: Does Alabama have enough inside linebacker depth?
The concern about this position is less so about the expected starters and more so about what Alabama has behind Lawson and Campbell. The Crimson Tide has some talent there, but much of it is either young or inexperienced. If Campbell or Lawson have to miss time, it could put Alabama in a tough spot.
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What we know: A freshman defensive back could play early
Don’t be surprised to see a freshman defensive back help the defense out in the near future. And don’t rule out the possibility of it happening right away. Some of that’s because of the significant shakeup in the secondary, but it’s also because Alabama added some elite young talent via recruiting. Five-star defensive backs in the 2024 class included Zabien Brown, Zavier Mincey and Jaylen Mbakwe. Alabama also added Red Morgan, another intriguing prospect for the secondary.
What we wonder: Which young defensive back will see the most playing time in 2024?
Brown has to be toward the top of the list considering he started at one cornerback spot for the A-Day game opposite Domani Jackson. Wake Forest transfer DaShawn Jones hadn’t joined the team yet in time for the spring game, though; he figures to compete for one cornerback spot. Morgan could also make sense as an extra defensive back.
Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.
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