Why Alabama QBs Struggled in Second Scrimmage

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Alabama's second scrimmage wasn't the "sharpest" day for either Austin Mack or Keelon Russell, according to head coach Kalen DeBoer on Friday afternoon. The reps were split evenly among the two with the first-team offense, but the Tide's defense rose up and created challenges for both.

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"I would say today wasn't their sharpest day. A lot of it was what we were talking about with the offensive line. It was just getting in sync with guys, the reps that they have had a lot," DeBoer said.

"Maybe it's even the things that have had as part of our base offense that have done now for two years here, you can see everyone being in sync and playing with confidence. You're going to rip it with confidence. This is the new stuff that maybe isn't things we've had until this year or had as much of until this spring. You can see that we struggled with it. I would say that it wasn't up to the standard that they've had, but there's no doubt that if we had to play a game, there's some things that they do very well that we're confident in that they could execute at a high level."

Russell followed up last week's pick-six in a scrimmage with another one this week, but Mack also fell victim to Alabama's defense on Friday, which reportedly has looked as strong as ever under head coach Kalen DeBoer and third-year defensive coordinator Kane Wommack so far this spring. Despite facing what is likely one of the top defenses this season in college football, Russell has a better understanding of the offense now than he previously did and is commanding the huddle well.

"I try to put my nose in there and just hear exactly that as much as I can, whether it’s today or throughout the week. He’s almost at a point now where he doesn’t have to think when he says it, and now he’s got to slow down to make sure everyone is very clear, which is a good problem to have, right?" DeBoer said. "Just being articulate and not rattling through the calls. At one point, he might messed up the call. It’s not perfect yet, because, again, there’s new installed plays that he’s just had first reps. Same thing with Austin; there’s some new stuff he hasn’t called as much, either, or at all. They’re picturing it in their head, and that’s what I like to see, is that they can rattle off, as far as the command with the players. I think both would step in the huddle, and if there’s chatter in there and they need eyes up on them, they’ll say it, and the guys all respond. So there’s a lot of respect that the team has for them, and obviously, the offensive guys who are in there in that moment, they have to do exactly that.”

Alabama will take the weekend off before returning to practice on Tuesday, April 7. A-Day is scheduled for next Saturday, April 11, inside Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.