The Alabama Crimson Tide had their first Spring training camp for the first time in two years. The impact of COVID-19 forced all college football teams to cancel their Spring last year. After an impressive Spring camp, Alabama concluded their workouts with the 2021 A-Day Game. With 47,218 fans in attendance, the A-Day game drew in the largest crowd at a sporting event in the United States since the start of the pandemic. The university was allowed to have stadium attendance at 50% capacity. Life is starting to return to normal again in-and-outside the world of sports. What continues to be normal is the Alabama Crimson Tide looking like they will be heavy favorites for the National Championship, again. Several players had big performances. Here are the top performers from the 2021 Alabama A-Day game.
Bryce Young – Quarterback
It should come as no surprise that the projected number one quarterback for Alabama shined the brightest on A-Day. After a strong Spring, Young followed up his capabilities of taking over the Tide program by becoming the MVP of the A-Day game. Young passed for 333 yards and a touchdown on 25 completions (out of 44 passing attempts). He was “sacked” three times in the A-Day game. The lone offensive touchdown of the game came from a 59-yard pass from Young to tight end Cameron Latu early in the second quarter. It wasn’t just the plays that he was able to do for the offense. Young played poised, efficient, and mistake-free in a Spring game where the defense played their best. Young is already ahead of schedule and proving he will be a dangerous player for every team he plays against.
Traeshon Holden, Cameron Latu, & Agiye Hall – Receivers
With so many talented receivers on the roster, it can be difficult to keep up with. Their leading returning receiver in John Metchie was limited in the Spring with an injury and was forced to miss the A-Day game. Several receivers stepped their productivity in the Spring as a result. Latu had a stellar Spring but he was able to showcase that in the A-Day game. Latu was the playmaker who caught the 59-yard touchdown on a vertical route beating cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis. His unique blend of athleticism, reliability, and breakout speed will make him a great weapon for Yong and the offense. Latu adds himself as a dangerous target for the Tide’s offense along with fellow tight end Jalheel Billingsley.
With Metchie being out, Javon Baker has been the player that stepped up this Spring. In the A-Day game, however, it was sophomore Traeshon Holden that took the bulk of the receptions. Holden caught nine receptions for 89 yards with his longest catch being 32 yards for the first-team offense. True freshman Agiye Hall has worked his way up the depth chart this Spring but he saved the best for last. In the A-Day game, Hall caught four receptions for 72 yards with his longest being for 37 yards for the second-team offense. Hall was tremendous in contesting for the catch in multiple situations. With a mixture of athleticism, quick feet, and toughness, Hall is a receiver that can snatch the ball out of heavy coverage. Hall is proving himself to be one of the toughest receivers for the Tide in 2021.
Chris Braswell – Jack Linebacker
There were several defensive starters for Alabama out through a significant portion of Spring ball. With Will Anderson Jr. out for the game, sophomore Chris Braswell was inserted as the first-string Jack linebacker. Braswell was one of the most disruptive players in the game as he accounted for five total tackles, four solo tackles, three sacks, three tackles for loss, and a forced fumble on Young that gave the Tide’s defense a one-yard touchdown. He dominated consistently against some of the first-string offensive tackles like Kendall Randolph. Braswell coming into the game as a late starter shows the depth and talent the Tide’s defense has overall. Having both Anderson and Braswell will cause multiple problems for opposing offenses in the 2021 college football season.
Ga’Quincy McKinstry – Cornerback
Alabama had several true freshmen showcase their talents early in the A-Day game. Among those who shined the brightest, outside of Hall, was Ga’Quincy McKinstry. Coming in as the number one cornerback recruit in the 2021 Recruiting Class, McKinstry already faces some pressure. He accounted for three solo tackles, one tackle for loss, one fumble recovery, a pass breakup, and an interception. McKinstry was able to show his toughness and consistency in coverage. He is a player that shown that he can contribute early for the Tide’s defense, even if he isn’t a starter. With this solid start in this Spring and the A-Day game, look for him to be a more extensive and productive player in the secondary this season and beyond.
