Alabama football will conduct its first scrimmage behind closed doors at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday as preseason training progresses. As the Crimson Tide get ready for their season debut against Western Kentucky on August 31, it’s an early opportunity for new head coach Kalen DeBoer to evaluate the team’s performance.

Offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan discussed his expectations for the scrimmage in a statement on Wednesday.

“Simple execution, I believe,” Sheridan stated. Taking good care of the football, coordinating, assigning, and communicating. In the early scrimmages, those are the things you should be searching for.

After the scrimmage, DeBoer will speak to the media. Here are three questions for the Crimson Tide to respond to during practice on Saturday before that.

At tackle, what occurs?

There appeared to be a three-way competition for the Alabama offensive line’s two tackle positions going into camp. Kadyn Proctor started every game on the left side as a freshman last season, so it made sense that after his brief stint at Iowa, he would return to that position.

During media practice observation sessions, Proctor has recently progressed into the first team as left tackle. Wilkin Formby and Elijah Pritchett are fighting it out on the right side.

During Wednesday’s open practice sessions, Formby seemed to be practicing with the starting squad. The scrimmage would be telling, according to offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan, but the fight is still in progress.

“It’s early in camp, you know, and I think that competition is still going,” On Wednesday, Sheridan stated. “I think you kind of have a better idea of where that’s at once you get past the first scrimmage.” Coach Chris Kapilovic, the offensive lineman, has been rotating those players on purpose. We also attempt to cross-train the linemen in other ways, such as having tackles play center or both sides, but that’s a continuous process.

Are the Tide able to mount a pass rush?

The Crimson Tide’s defense struggled to apply any pressure to Alabama’s quarterbacks during the A-Day game. Due to the departure of Chris Braswell and Dallas Turner to the NFL, UA would have to find replacements anyhow.

The Tide was certain to have some difficulty there at least, especially with a new defensive scheme and an enhanced offensive line. Nevertheless, this is a problem that needs to be resolved prior to the start of the season.

DeBoer has expressed his satisfaction with the Tide’s group at edge rusher since the start of camp.

According to DeBoer, “they’ve demonstrated the ability to pass rush off the edge.” “Our strength lies in our quantity. You have to have your standout players, and as they mature over time, I believe we’ll see some of those who truly rise to the top.

There’s never been a better moment to show off your ability to pass quickly.

Which defensive back stands out?

It’s Alabama’s biggest question entering the 2024 season. Even Nick Saban brought it up during his coverage of SEC Media Days as part of his new job with ESPN.

Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold are off to the NFL. Caleb Downs led a parade of younger players into the transfer portal, and now Kane Wommack and company have to pick up the pieces.

There’s still some experience around, with Malachi Moore returning at safety, plus the portal additions of Domani Jackson, Keon Sabb and DaShawn Jones. However, the coaches have sounded the most optimistic about some talented freshmen, including Zabien Brown, Zavier Mincey, and Jaylen Mbakwe.

Brown especially caught DeBoer’s eye.

“He just doesn’t feel like a freshman out there,” DeBoer said. “He does not. We felt that way this spring, and he just followed that up with another big jump like you really would expect. He’s just out there, and I don’t think of him as young or anything like that. I think of him as a guy that’s just fitting into the defense, and I’m proud of the way he approaches it.”

Saturday’s scrimmage is an opportunity for the young DBs to get valuable reps. It’s also an early test as to whether the concerns are valid for the secondary.