For a moment on Monday – perhaps for a moment – it felt like things we once knew as normal.
It was game week in Tuscaloosa. Nick Saban was going to his soda bottle podium with the mic of the car logo in front of the LED board flashing aids and we were going to talk on footbal. And in tradition, like many others, before Saban took its place, the first depth chart was distributed.
Only this time he came by email, talked to everyone on Zoom and Labor Day was two weeks ago.
Almost normal.
Our favorite connection moved the needle back to traditional times.
The word “or” has been included 27 times in the first 2020 Alabama depth chart, the two-letter option was slashes and hinted at making the next decision. The whole punting unit split one or so is still a battle between freshman Sam Johnson, grade transfer Charlie Scott and part-time starter Ty Perrin.
In the regular year, we will analyze this now-digital document for every possible nugget or inspection and we are striving for routine, so let’s do this.
As expected by everyone online, to begin with, Mac Jones was alone in the quarterback list. Bryce Young is a solid No. 2 and gets strong reviews from everyone inside.
“It comes naturally to him,” receiver Devanta Smith said Monday. “He is doing great. Crime has a few things to do to get better, and we’re working on that. But he is learning very well. ”
Jones only has the confidence, experience and abstraction to stay at the top of Week Depth Chart Week 1.
There are some moving parts towards the offensive line, not even a big surprise at how Saban is talking. Landon Dickerson and Chris Owens were co-first teammates at the center at the start of the right guard with Emil Aquier. Both Alex Leatherwood and Evan Neil have space to move in the interior with solid.
And in the receiver, there was a third starter with John Matchi, Jalen Waddle and Devonta Smith.
“John Matchie got to play some last year and I think as he continues to progress and, you know, some young players are putting up a lot of competition for that position,” Subne said Monday. “Those people are working a little bit in progress, as we go through a season of improving their abilities, but when we need them we need to be able to be those who consistently perform. , Because I think the depth of that position is really something that we should continue to work to develop. “
Those newcomers include Javan Baker and Trash on Na Holden, Smith and Thai ones back-to-back with Tim Bells, Xavier Williams behind Matchi, or with him.
It becomes more interesting on the defensive side of the ball.
That’s where the true freshmen made more pitfalls at the top of the charts.
Will Anderson has received the most Prison Buzz and was listed as a first-team Jack (outside) linebacker. All-American middle linebacker Dylan Moses is certainly impressed with Anderson.
“It really reminds me of myself when he came in. He was already physically ready to stay at the cage level,” Musa said Monday. “So I expect big things from him this year.”
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Malachi Moore and Brian Branch, true newlyweds, were co-starters in the fifth defensive back position known as the Star.
“They were able to learn and grow in the system very quickly,” Subne said. “And we needed some players to come in as young players in certain positions and these two guys definitely did it and did very well. So, I’m sure this first game is going to be a challenge in terms of their chance to get out there and focus on their work and we’ll help them in every way so they can play well. ”
Jack’s position is significant because Anderson’s backup is also listed as Drew Sanders, a true freshman.
Only two newcomers made two newcomers, including nose guard Tim Smith (co-backup with redshirt freshman Ishmael Soapsher) and Theodore Grade Demoi Kennedy (backup middle linebacker with Joshua Macmillan and Elle Kaho).
The middle linebacker has deepened the depths after Musa and M line Camilon went down with knee injuries in 2019 and were replaced by Christian Harris and Shane Lee. Well, Harris retained his starting job next to Moses while Lee is co-backing up with Jillian Moody in second place.
Back from injury is further experience with Labrian Ray, DJ Dale is a nose guard healthy and has a three-way pairing on other DE positions, including sophomore Justin Eboigbe, third-year sophomore Christian Barmore and fourth-year junior Fidarian Mathis.
Experience in secondary will be no strength, although there will be first-year players in the branch and Moore mix. Daniel Wright is in his fourth season with Recruitment, playing reserve roles before being named as a starter in safe time. He made eight appearances in 13 games last year. Next on the safety spot will be Jordan Bett, next to Sofmore, who started four games last year.
Both will have to replace Pitt Xavier McKinney and Jared Madden who know the intuitive level of defense and can direct traffic to the secondary. Patrick Suren is the only returning starter on the Cornwall that Josh Jobs takes full time against.
No real surprise in the units of special teams. Will Richard is again a starting kicker after hurting his hip as a true fresh man, while the punting race has remained unresolved as mentioned above.
Waddle Punt is a returner along with Devonta Smith, while Brian Robinson and Huatown newcomer Roydale Williams have also made the list.
If you’re counting, these are the 15 true fresh ones that were listed on the depth chart. There are pencils as two starters.
Beyond that, everything will have only pre-2020 shades.
This fall this depth is even more important because you never know when a positive test can trigger contact tracing domino effect. Players take multiple cross-training positions in the event of an emergency, so this first depth chart is likely to be unlike any other.
This is a strange time and generality is a spectrum.
There are a lot of ways to write it, but you know the early left guard on Monday afternoon before the kickoff. Sounds almost like old times.
Michael Casagrande is a journalist with Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter ByCasagrande Or on Facebook.
