{"id":37556,"date":"2021-08-16T11:00:26","date_gmt":"2021-08-16T15:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/?p=37556"},"modified":"2025-09-13T16:09:04","modified_gmt":"2025-09-13T20:09:04","slug":"five-questions-the-alabama-crimson-tide-have-this-fall-camp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2021\/08\/16\/five-questions-the-alabama-crimson-tide-have-this-fall-camp\/","title":{"rendered":"Five Questions The Alabama Crimson Tide Have This Fall Camp"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Alabama Crimson Tide is coming into this 2021 season as the number one team in the Coaches Poll. They are the team that returns the most talent and experience among all College Football Playoff teams. Alabama is also the team that will face the most pressure this upcoming season. The Tide faces some changes compared to last year\u2019s championship-winning team<\/a>, including the loss of Heisman Trophy-winning wide receiver DeVonta Smith<\/a>. With a fantastic recruiting season and the first full off-season development in two years, Bama is ready for the final preparations of Fall camp.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Five Questions The Alabama Crimson Tide Have This Fall Camp<\/strong><\/h2>\n

How Ready is Bryce Young?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Young hasn\u2019t started a regular-season game, yet he is already one of the most popular quarterbacks in college football. He has already reportedly made nearly $1 million in NIL deals, and he is among some of the Heisman Trophy favorites. The reality for Young is that he will go into the final stages of preparation for his first start. There will be a ton of pressure for Young through the remainder of the off-season. Most quarterbacks coming into the season as the starter, especially on a championship-winning team, have experience playing in games. This past season, Young threw for 156 yards and a touchdown on 13 completions (out of 22 passing attempts) in seven games played.<\/p>\n

After the loss of offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian<\/a> to become the head coach of the Texas Longhorns, the Tide hired former Houston Texans head coach Bill O\u2019Brien<\/a> as the new offensive coordinator\/quarterbacks coach. The loss of Sarkisian and quarterback Mac Jones<\/a> would be a significant loss for any team. But both O\u2019Brien and Young attempt to retain the high-intensity scoring of the Tide\u2019s offense last season. O\u2019Brien has been complementary of Young\u2019s ability to be a solid teammate and has earned the trust of the locker room.\u00a0 Time will tell how physically prepared Young is as they are over two weeks away from facing the Miami Hurricanes in Atlanta. Young needs more time to retain consistency throughout the remaining off-season for the Tide. The season\u2019s success rests on his shoulders.<\/p>\n

Which Running Back Stands Out In Fall Camp?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

While most of the attention is on the passing game this off-season, the Tide are still trying to figure out their running game. While senior\u00a0Brian Robinson Jr.<\/strong> is likely the first-string running back to start the season for the Tide, there is still a high level of competition among four backs. Sophomore <\/span>Jace MccLellan<\/a>\u00a0has complimented on his speed and velocity to be the starting back this season. Sophomore\u00a0<\/span>Roydell Williams<\/a>\u00a0has been getting first-string reps with Robinson out during the summer. Finally, sophomore\u00a0<\/span>Trey Sanders<\/a>\u00a0has been solid this Fall Camp returning from a season-ending injury caused by a car crash this past year. He has practiced playing at 100% speed and strength, which becomes harder for O\u2019Brien to pick a starter. Expect this position battle to keep developing throughout the 2021 season.<\/span><\/p>\n

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How Are The Elite Linebackers Progressing This Fall Camp?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The biggest positive going into the off-season after winning the championship was the talent at the linebackers. Alabama returned three solid contributors in\u00a0Christian Harris<\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Christopher Allen<\/a>, and\u00a0<\/span>Ryan Anderson<\/strong>\u00a0this season. The Tide also has former Tennessee Volunteers transfer\u00a0<\/span>Henry To\u2019o To\u2019o<\/a>\u00a0coming in as the immediate replacement for\u00a0<\/span>Dylan Moses<\/a>. The biggest strength of the defense this season became more dangerous for opposing offenses. Anderson looks to be one of the best pass rushers in the nation as a first-team preseason all-American. Harris has developed the most this off-season, despite being a two-year starter. Allen\u2019s experience and To\u2019o To\u2019o\u2019s leadership and talent are a bonus for the Tide\u2019s defense that looks to rebound after some inefficiencies last season.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Who Are The Leaders On Offense?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Last year, there was no question of who the leaders of the offense were. Jones and Smith came into 2020 looking to rebound after missing the playoffs for the first time in 2019. Those two helped the Tide rebound in a significant way by creating an elite, high-power offense. Alabama is not looking to replace the playmaking abilities of Jones and Smith, but rather their leadership roles. Junior Evan Neal<\/strong> moves from right tackle to left tackle to protect the blindside. Junior\u00a0<\/span>John Metchie III<\/strong>\u00a0comes into this season as the new #1 wide receiver for the Tide\u2019s elite passing offense. These are two players that come to mind quickly based on NFL talent and immediate impact. Based on seniority, Brian Robinson<\/strong> and center\u00a0<\/span>Chris Owens<\/a>are two that can be relied upon. Young also has potential despite the lack of experience.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Who Will Be The Providers At Cornerback?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The loss of\u00a0Patrick Surtain II<\/a> as the top coverage cornerback has been difficult a difficult adjustment for the Tide. Senior cornerback <\/span>Josh Jobe<\/strong>\u00a0has been the suitable replacement as the number one cornerback in 2021. The most deciding factor for the Tide\u2019s secondary would be who the other main cornerbacks are this season. Junior\u00a0<\/span>Jayln Armour-Davis<\/strong> has been projected to start at the other cornerback position since the conclusion of the 2020 season. He has been developing well this off-season as he looks to be one of the top-man coverage players in the SEC. One of the most discussed players on Alabama\u2019s defense this off-season is true freshman cornerback Ga\u2019Quincy \u201cKool-Aid\u201d McKinstry<\/strong>. He is a player that constantly gets praised by first-team defensive players, head coach <\/span>Nick Saban<\/a>, and defensive coordinator\u00a0<\/span>Pete Golding. He could be a big-time contributor or surprise starter in 2021.<\/span><\/p>\n

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