re: Bama Football Tidings

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The longest offeseason in years is drawing down in Tuscaloosa this week.

Award watch lists are have dried up and it’s time to put on some pads. Practice begins Friday at Alabama with a public preview set for Saturday afternoon at the annual fan day. Considering how last season ended, this day couldn’t come fast enough inside the Crimson Tide locker room and for a healthy radius in every direction.

It’s been a few months since A-Day when outside eyes last caught a glimpse at the 2019 Alabama football team.

We’re here for a refresher course as the summer slow season slingshots past the dark side of the college football moon directed straight to the Aug. 31 opener. A few things to keep in mind before turning the attention to Duke in Atlanta:

The fresh faces

A healthy check of the 2019 signing class was in town in time for spring practice. A few of the bigger names, however, were summer enrollees and it will be interesting to see where they will figure into the plan.

Chief among the recent arrivals is running back Trey Sanders. The top-ranked player at his position was the No. 6 overall recruit in the nation, according to 247Sports. After losing the top two threats in the backfield from 2018 in Josh Jacobs and Damien Harris, there is room for competition. True freshman have contributed at running back previously in the Nick Saban era including Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson and T.J. Yeldon.

Defensive lineman Ishmael Sopsher is another top recruit who’ll experience his first Alabama practice Friday. Saban a few times in the spring said summer arrivals might be counted upon to contribute on the defensive line. Defensive end Braylen Ingraham, a defensive end, and tackle Byron Young also arrived in May.

The transfer wire

A few potential contributors entered the transfer portal while the Tide picked up a graduate transfer from Florida State. Offensive lineman Landon Dickerson will be a redshirt junior when he gets to town after completing his degree in Tallahassee. Starting spots at the two tackle spots seem pretty secure with Jedrick Wills on the right side and Alex Leatherwood on the left side. Matt Womack and Emil Ekiyor Jr. were the starting guards in the spring with Chris Owens at center.

A few recent departures will have an impact on the mythical depth chart. Tight end Kedrick James, who faces a four-game NCAA suspension, left for SMU after competing for time in the spring. Then last week, former five-star linebacker Eyabi Anoma entered the transfer portal for the second time since January.

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Michael Casagrande is an Alabama beat writer for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or on Facebook.

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