Alabama football was back in Bryant-Denny Stadium on Thursday. But for the first time in 17 years, Nick Saban was not with the team. Instead, Kalen DeBoer and his new coaching staff led UA for its opening spring 2024 scrimmage.
It’ll be the first time Jalen Milroe receives snaps from his new center, whoever takes that spot, in UA’s home stadium — a heavily scaled-down preview of the Aug. 31 opener against Western Kentucky. The defense, which replaces at least half its starters, will line up under new coordinator Kane Wommack’s ‘SWARM’ scheme. Earlier this week, Tide assistants told players the word of the week was ‘competition’ in Tuscaloosa.
Reporters were not permitted to view the scrimmage and did not receive stats. Like his predecessor and many other coaches, DeBoer held a news conference afterward to provide updates and answer questions. How are the team’s ongoing positioned battles developing? What did Jalen Milroe and the other quarterbacks do to demonstrate knowledge of the offense? Which players are standing out in the secondary?
Find out and follow along at approximately 5:45 p.m. as DeBoer stands behind the podium.
Alabama will hold its second scrimmage on Saturday, April 6. The annual spring game, A-Day, is set for April 13 at 3 p.m. (ESPN). It will be open to the media and the public. DeBoer has yet to confirm the annual Team White and Team Crimson structure.
Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].