NASHVILLE, TN, TN - September 02, 2023 - Offensive lineman Gerald Mincey #54 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the game between the Virginia Cavaliers and the Tennessee Volunteers at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN. Photo By Emma Corona/Tennessee Athletics
5 Alabama offensive players expected to take huge steps forward in fall camp
Preseason camp for Alabama football starts next week on Wednesday.
After a good showing at Southeastern Conference Media Days, Kalen DeBoer is ready for his team to take the practice field and show what it has for the upcoming season. He has built a winning culture at each stop on his coaching journey, but he has an opportunity to do something special in Tuscaloos
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In this perspective series, we will look at the five offensive and defensive players for the Crimson Tide expected to take huge strides forward in fall practice.
Jalen Milroe, QB
Jalen Milroe left SEC Media Days at the Omni Hotel (Dallas, Texas) with everyone talking about him.
He was productive as a first-year starting quarterback in 2023, totaling 2,834 passing yards, 531 rushing yards, and 35 touchdowns for the Crimson Tide. Milroe, a native of Katy, Texas, guided Alabama to an SEC Championship and a berth in the College Football Playoff. He had success under Tommy Rees, but Milroe now has a revamped offensive coaching staff.
Coach DeBoer, Nick Sheridan, JaMarcus Shephard, and others have an offense that’s prepared to make Milroe a superstar.
We know what he is as an athlete and deep ball thrower, but he’s worked on his short to intermediate game. The ability to consistently connect on 10 to 15-yard passes or “high percentage” throws to either side of the boundary is where he has improved the most. Milroe worked with private coaches this offseason and received more teaching at the Manning Passing Academy.
If he can make tremendous grow on high percentage passes, no one will be able to stop Milroe.
Justice Haynes, RB
Justice Haynes eyes his moment to be Alabama’s starting running back.
A native Georgian, he arrived as a five-star from Buford High School in the 2023 class.
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Haynes gave fans a taste of how good he can be during the Rose Bowl matchup against Michigan.
The 5-foot-11, 205-pounder ripped off some nice runs that had Tide fans aggravated with Tommy Rees for taking the ball out his hands. Rees is no longer in Tuscaloosa, but Haynes is set to do damage to opposing defensive fronts.
He finished his freshman campaign with 168 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 25 carries. Alabama wants to do a lot in the passing game; however, the coaching staff knows it would be foolish to not run the ball. Haynes brings power, speed, vision, contact balance, and makes a hole where there’s none.
Balance will be important for the Tide, and Haynes is ready to provide it.
Kendrick Law, WR
Kendrick Law has a major opportunity to snatch a starting wide receiver spot.
He has been on the cutting edge of a breakout season in the last two years, but this is his best chance.
Law brings the athleticism, speed, hands, routes, blocking abilities, and versatility at the position.
The Louisiana native is dangerous no matter where he lines up on the field. He can score on getting a hand-off in motion, take end arounds/jet sweeps and pop passes for scores, beat defenders in being a traditional receiver, or he can be highly explosive as a return specialist.
Alabama just has to get Law involved in this offense.
Germie Bernard, WR
Malachi Moore, a fifth-year defensive back for Alabama, compared Germie Bernard to John Metchie at SEC Media Days.
This is not a bad comparison, especially with the success Metchie had in Tuscaloosa.
He caught 55 passes for 916 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 2020, pacing the Tide to an SEC Championship and a College Football Playoff National Championship.
