Not only are the Alabama Crimson Tide replacing a legend following Nick Saban's retirement, but they are also replacing nearly half their roster. Kalen DeBoer is taking over a team that lost nearly 50 players from last year's squad that was the SEC champion, went to the College Football Playoff and finished No. 5 in the final AP Poll. But since this is Alabama football, it simply reloaded and landed No. 2 in the Class of 2024 recruit rankings, per 247Sports. Fans of Alabama football will get their first taste of many of these newcomers at the Alabama football spring game on Saturday.
A-Day is what the event is known as, and the 2024 A-Day Game will take place at 4 p.m. ET from Bryant-Denny Stadium. Five-star CB recruits Jaylen Mbakwe and Zabien Brown should see reps considering the lack of depth at the position for Bama, but which other new faces should Alabama football fans get to know? If you want to see the latest Alabama football news, you should join Bama247, the 247Sports affiliate that covers the Alabama Crimson Tide.
The team of insiders at Bama247 are providing on-the-ground updates on every development in the football coaching search, including insights from Matt Zenitz, John Talty and Mike Rodak, who have more than 25 years of experience covering the Crimson Tide. The trio has deep-rooted ties inside and around the Alabama community, and Talty wrote The Leadership Secrets of Nick Saban, a Wall Street Journal and Publishers Weekly bestseller. It's all available at your fingertips on any device here.
The team at Bama247 has extensive coverage heading into Alabama's spring game, including injury information and potential depth chart changes. You can also get the low-down from fellow fans on the Bama247 message board. Head to Bama247 and join now to see the latest updates regarding spring practice and the 2024 A-Day Game.
Updates on the Alabama offensive line
Perhaps no position group for Bama will be shuffled as much as the offensive line, which has lost at least three starters from last year's team. A fourth, left tackle Kadyn Proctor, transferred home to Iowa after the season before announcing his intention to transfer back to Alabama. Proctor was the No. 1 offensive lineman in his class, per 247Sports, but he won't be a part of the A-Day Game.
While that top-ranked lineman won't suit up, another very well could in true freshman Casey Poe. He just enrolled in January, and the 247Composite graded him as the top interior lineman in the Class of 2024. With LG Tyler Booker the only available returning starter, Poe could be featured up and down the O-line to see where he can contribute most effectively right away.
One thing fans will definitely want to see in regards to the O-line is the center-quarterback exchange after numerous issues during last year's CFP semifinal loss to Michigan. DeBoer says the team is using a clap cadence for QB Jalen Milroe to receive the snap in shotgun, and per the head coach, the team hasn't "had any problems" with the exchange throughout spring practice. Join Bama247 for the latest on the offensive line depth chart.
Alabama wide receiver overhaul
The Tide will have to replace their top two receivers after losing Jermaine Burton, who declared for the NFL Draft, and Isaiah Bond, who transferred to Texas. That leaves the top returning wideout as Kobe Prentice, who had 18 catches for 314 yards and two scores last year, but no other returning receiver had more than 162 yards a year ago.
Early enrollee Bubba Hampton will be tasked, in part, with helping to fill those voids, and he is a four-star freshman from Daingerfield (TX). Ranked as the No. 16 athlete in his class, Hampton making his presence felt will be even more essential with Jalen Hale still recovering from a knee injury suffered on March 26.
Hale was the No. 6 receiver in the Class of 2023 and saw spot duty as a freshman. He was expected to have a much bigger role in 2024, but a timetable for his return hasn't been set. WR Germie Bernard, who followed DeBoer from Washington, has a leg up on his teammates in terms of familiarity with the offensive scheme and could rise up the depth chart with a strong performance on Saturday. Join Bama247 to read the latest VIP article regarding Odom and the Alabama wide receivers' room.
How DeBoer has made use of Alabama spring football practice
One of the Saban-era traditions for the Alabama spring game that DeBoer intends to keep in place is that the winners will receive a steak dinner while the losers will be relegated to "beans and wienies." The result hardly matters but the incentive certainly encourages players on both sides to put in a solid effort. Fans will certainly be looking for players who flash and for continued growth in the final outing of DeBoer's first spring at the helm.
DeBoer has publicly stated that he's been satisfied with how his team has progressed over the course of spring practices and he's highlighted a handful of players who have stepped up in the process. Washington transfer Germie Bernard is quickly making an impact. Bernard followed DeBoer to Tuscaloosa after making 34 catches for 419 yards and two touchdowns while adding two rushing touchdowns last season. So what has DeBoer thought of his first spring at Alabama and where will he be expecting improvement? Join Bama 247 to read VIP articles recapping all the latest Alabama football news now.
How to get insider information on Alabama football
The Bama247 team has VIP information on the offensive line situation, the development of the wide receivers' room and how DeBoer is approaching his first spring at the helm. Join Bama247 to see it all and get all the latest Alabama football spring game news.
Who are the top players that Alabama fans should watch for on Saturday, and which players can you expect to stand out? Join Bama247 to see all the latest A-Day Game news, all from a team of reporters with decades of experience covering the Crimson Tide, and find out.
