2021 Alabama Football Pre-Camp Field Guide – Fall Camp Primer – OffenseTransition into 2021 hits the Alabama Offense hard, which makes this fall camp particularly entertaining and informative.
In addition to numerous staring positions on the line, including quarterback, the unit also debuts new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien who may be singularly able to implement the multiple offense of Saban’s dreams.
Blow the horn, let’s go. Fall camp is upon us.
Quarterback – Pre-Camp Projections
Reality is this is Bryce Young’s job to lose, and the early competition may not pose much of a contest. This should allow both time and room for Bryce to spread his wings. Remember, there was speculation a year ago that Bryce might beat out Mac Jones. Funny to reflect back on that now, but it speaks to Young’s potential and promise.
Roster/Rotation
Behind Bryce Alabama dresses two scholarship quarterbacks in soph Paul Tyson and true freshman Jalen Milroe. While stocked with potential, the Tide’s quarterback room is rail thin on experience.
What to Watch For
Bryce will be brought along quickly, getting most of the high value reps with the ones and it’ll pay results early. Meanwhile, one of the hottest battles in camp is for the backup position behind Young.
Predictions
Lots of positive news flowing from camp. I believe Bryce is the real deal, and Alabama will install a version of the offense slanted to his strengths.
Milroe wins the second spot on talent and upside. Besides, he is better equipped than Tyson to run the version of the offense being rolled out for Bryce.
Further, it may be important to start the clock on his career while determining if he has a viable future at the position. 5-Star Tyler Simpson jumps aboard in 2022 and potentially a Manning follows in 2023. It will be important to break up any apparent log jams as early as possible.
Running Back – Pre-Camp Projections
Neither graduation (Najee Harris), nor roster defections (Keilan Robinson and Kyle Edwards), have diminished the luster on Tide’s depth and talent at the running back position.
If there is a complaint, it’s that the experience is thin. Yet two backs (Brian Robinson and Trey Sanders), enter at least their third year in the program and talent runs deep across the rotation.
Roster/Rotation
Senior Brian Robinson has either waited his turn or not delivered on his potential, depending upon who you ask. A valid case could be made either way and B-Rob will have every chance to sway the jury throughout camp and early into the season.
The rotation immediately behind B-Rob consists of Sophs Jase McClellan and Trey Sanders, true and red-shirt, respectively.
Rounding out the rotation (or leading the charge for many teams), is Soph Roydell Williams and Freshman Camar Wheaton.
What to Watch For
Trey Sanders’ health is the easiest watch item to call across the roster. After a foot injury derailed 2019 and a bumpy start to 2020, Trey looked like an emerging star in a 12 carry, 80-yard breakout performance against Mississippi State. Days later he suffered a devasting injury resulting from a car crash. Depending on his form, he could land anywhere within the pecking order.
Fawning over Camar Wheaton is watch-worthy but consider the sources and specifics of the praise. Is it typical 5-star hype or is Camar bringing something unique and dynamic to the table early?
Does Roydell Williams bridge the gap that appeared to present on the field between he and Jase McClellan? Was this even a legit gap or was it more the circumstance of play?
Predictions
Barring injury, Brian Robinson does nothing to lose the RB1 role in camp though I wonder if he has the juice to hold the mantle all season.
Jase quickly becomes the feature back even if he does not always get the first carries of the game. He has game breaking burst which forces attention from the defense.
Zero chance all these guys finish their careers with Alabama. Either they are as good as we think and won’t wait in line. Or they aren’t and can’t.
In another world, we would space out their careers and rest confident in being set at the position for the next decade. Even typing that it sounds like something I’ve said about a Saban running back room before. Alabama problems, right?
We will miss Keilen Robinson once he finds his role at Texas.
Wide Receiver – Pre-Camp Projections
The receiver position promises as much mystery and excitement as Alabama fans have seen in years. It also carries with it the heavy mantel of expectation after consecutive seasons churning our multiple first round NFL draft picks.
Roster/Rotation
John Metchie III is the only given at the position, but there is plenty with which receiver coach Holmon Wiggins can work.
Slade Bolden is a versatile slot receiver who performed well in relieve of Jaylen Waddle during 2020. He’s not nearly as dynamic but he’s a perfect candidate for many of the slot packages new offensive coordinator previously ran in New England.
Ohio State transfer Jameson Williams exemplifies Saban’s selective and strategic use of the transfer portal. Presto, seasoned speed and legit threat ready to stretch the field and open up the underneath.
Agiye Hall announced his presence during A-Day with aplomb and many already believe he’s the next great Alabama receiver.
Sophs Javon Baker, Traeshon Holden, and Thaiu Jones-Bell; along with freshmen Ja’Corey Brooks, Christian Leary, and JoJo Earle round out a deep and talented corp.
What to Watch For
Pecking order is the key watch item this fall. Specifically, do true freshman Hall, Earle, Leary, and Brooks leapfrog last year’s freshmen Baker, Traeshon Holden, and Thaiu Jones-Bell. Individually, each of the freshmen ranked higher than the sophs, who each return with a year in the system. It shapes up to be a live competition.
Predictions
Jamo’s transfer does not bode well for Xavier Williams whose strength is his speed though he has struggled to see consistent action. There have even been mixed reports whether his name remains on the roster.
Agiye Hall cements himself as being on par with Metchie.
Holden quietly reeled in 8 catches during A-Day. He may develop into a quiet chain moving target.
Brooks and Leary both see action, thereby solving the pecking order riddle.
Tight Ends – Pre-Camp Projections
This is another position with an interesting mix of young and unproven talent. Junior Jahleel Billingsley returns the most experience but represents a departure from the typical mold under the Saban system. Major Tennison most closely mirrors the model but may struggle to retain a role as the 3rd tight end with the emergence of Cameron Latu.
Roster/Rotation
Billingsley is a super-sized receiver and should post impressive numbers for an Alabama tight end within Bill O’Brien’s influenced offense. Latu plays an in-line role but watch for him to leak out against overmatched linebackers. He’ll be a chain mover. He’s also primed for a breakout after waiting at both DE and TE for the roster to break his way.
Kendall Randolph is more offensive lineman but will align as a tight end in short yardage situations.
What to Watch For
Does Alabama use Latu as a receiver or primarily as a blocker in the passing game? This is the window of opportunity Major needs to capitalize on in order to sustain meaningful playing time.
Which youngster makes the most noise in camp Caden Clark or Robbie Outz? Winner here likely starts in 12 personnel in 2022.
Predictions
Cameron Latu breaks out this season. His production will not rival that of Jahleel but expect Latu to make a name for him self with key first downs, surprise big plays, and physical blocks at the point of attack. He has finally found a home position with accrued service time. He takes full advantage.
His assigned jersey number 45 may be influencing me, but look for Robbie Ouzt to play a little H-back, fullback especially in short yardage as the season progresses.
Offensive Line – Pre-Camp Projections
A sure competitive hotbed during fall camp is along the offensive line. Yes, Alabama returns 3 starters from the national championship game. It is also true only 1 man returns to a position at which he recorded multiple starts during 2020.
Suffice to say, there’s work to be done. Fortunately, Alabama boasts a talented and deep assemblage of offensive linemen, and an acclaimed veteran line coach in Doug Marrone leading the way.
Roster/Rotation
Junior Evan Neal is moving to left tackle while Chris Owens and Emil Ekiyor will man the Center and Right Guard spots, respectively.
Thus, focusing competition to left guard, right tackle, and swing players the interior and exterior positions.
What to Watch For
Rotations, rotations, rotations. Finding the best five is a jargon we will hear throughout camp and early on we’re likely to hear about players moving around every day.
Pay particular attention to guard positions with heated battles featuring Damieon George, Javion Cohen, and Darrian Dalcourt all vying to line up opposite Emil Ekiyor.
At right tackle JC Latham will compete most directly with Damieon George.
Predictions
Left to Right, I suspect we see the following two-deep when the dust settles.
LT – Evan Neal, JC Latham
LG – Javon Cohen, Damieon George
C – Chris Owns, Darrian Dalcourt
RG – Emil Ekiyor, Pierce Quick
RT – JC Latham, Damieon George
Yes, this version repeats players which makes it more of an injury triage lineup than a true line-shift two-deep. The preseason updates will iron out both interpretations.
Now that we have reviewed the pieces, let’s consider the offense as a whole, and payoff one of my bold statements from the beginning.
What to Watch For
From a basis of limited viewing periods, it will be challenging to get a sense for how the offense is coming together during fall camp. Scrimmages will help, especially ball distribution stats, just know those are easily manipulated.
Listen for less tangible measures to determine how the offense is progressing. How early does the line settle out and what does Saban say about the pressure allowed by the first unit? Is Bryce comfortable with his progressions, are pass catchers turning heads and making plays at varying levels across varying positions?
This offense does not have a Smitty or Najee primed and ready to go – at least that we yet know of – suggesting an offense by committee early on. Camp reports will mirror this by underscoring competitions and rotations. Frustrated or negatively minded reports may call this a lack of clarity, or a failure of someone to step up, which Finebaum wannabes will spin into missing leadership. Optimistic reporting will emphasize the talk about the wealth of potential weapons and playmakers on the roster.
I lean to the later based on what know about the parts and pieces along with the architect at the helm.
If most reports highlight different players but the overall theme is the right work is getting done, then that is a good place. Its messy and not fan friendly where we prefer a pre-packaged menu of stars, but it is aligned with the style of play we’ll experience early.
Prediction
Bryce grows as a football player before our eyes this season. He may even start slow, but my guess is he’ll be dynamic by season’s end.
Meanwhile, Alabama’s offense will be a sort of multiple-hybrid – yes, inventing terms over here – and I am coming to believe that new OC Bill O’Brien may be singularly able to implement the multiple offense of Saban’s dreams.
Multiple in that the Tide can wage attacks from a variety of platforms and formations – 3 TE bunch formations to move the chains and 5 wideouts attacking downfield on the ensuring first down.
Dynamic in that the Tide will require defenses to defend the full field.
Hybrid in that Alabama will go back to using the offense to protect the defense at moments during the season. It may not be full ground and pound, but shorter passes to occupy the play clock and frustrate the defense, especially once a lead stretches above two possessions.
Consider the New England Patriots offense, which O’Brien coordinated for a time. The team’s offense gameplan varied week to week. A running game one week and a downfield passing team the next, all based on the opponent and available personnel.
This season Alabama has as diverse and deep an offensive roster as I recall. The only knock is youth and inexperience but gameplan vignettes can work better in doses as it distributes the load.
Do not get me wrong, to the average fan or naked eye the game play will largely look the same. But watch to see if the personnel and mode of attack adjusts throughout a game beyond the standard changes that occur when its time to rotate in the backups.
Yes, I am bullish and adventurous in how I expect the Tide offense to perform during the ’21 season, but let’s agree it’s not the record setting, all gas no breaks attack from 2020. This team will have a distinct flavor.
Remembering that Saban is not always on the trend curve because he sometimes is the trend curve, I suspect this incarnation of the Saban offense will play homage to its roots by selectively layering in components of complimentary football.
This promises to be fun to watch.
