Alabama wraps up spring practice on Saturday with its annual A-Day spring game.
Here are six lesser-known players generating some buzz so far this spring (in no particular order):
Redshirt freshman quarterback Mac Jones
Jones clearly isn’t going to be talked about as much as Alabama’s other two scholarship quarterbacks, but the redshirt freshman has done some things throughout the spring and in both of the team’s scrimmages.
That’s important because of the possibility that one of those other two scholarship quarterbacks could transfer before the season, which would leave Jones as the team’s backup quarterback.
“I think Mac had made a lot of improvement,” Tide coach Nick Saban said last week. “He’s a guy that has to mature in terms of … he’s very competitive. When you’re the quarterback, how does what I’m doing affect my unit? So when things don’t go well, you can’t always show your emotions, show your disappointment. You have to be positive, like ‘We’re going to get them on the next play.’ That’s a part of his leadership we have to continue to work on. But he’s made more and more good plays. We feel really good about his development. We’re just trying to get him to focus on being the best player that he can be because he’s going to be in position this year where he’s not going to be far away from having to play.”
Sophomore running back Brian Robinson
According to people at Alabama, Robinson looks like someone who could be a star in the future.
The 6-foot-1, 220-pound Tuscaloosa native impressed behind the scenes last year and has continued to do so this offseason.
He’s been a standout in both scrimmages and scored at least one touchdown in last week’s scrimmage.
“He runs the ball real hard,” outside linebacker Terrell Lewis said. “He’s a real aggressive runner. He gets you yards. I know for a fact if he gets the ball, he’s going to get yards.”
Redshirt freshman wide receiver Chadarius Townsend
Townsend has had some standout moments in both scrimmages.
The former high school quarterback is raw but fast and talented.
He had a touchdown in the first spring scrimmage that was negated due to a penalty.
The 6-foot, 190-pound Tanner native is in the mix for a backup job at receiver.
Sophomore tight end Kedrick James
Word is that James has taken a big step forward since the end of last season and that he’s had a great spring.
The 6-foot-5 James, who’s down to 255 pounds after arriving at Alabama about 20 pounds heavier, has made a lot of plays in the passing game this spring and is apparently very difficult to bring down after the catch.
“Obviously didn’t get a lot of playing time last year, but he’s a really young guy who is extremely talented,” tight end Hale Hentges said. “He’s huge. He’s very fast. He’s physical. And he causes problems for a lot of DBs and linebackers. We’re looking forward to him continuing to get better. And overall, we expect him to be able to help us this year.”
Redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Quinnen Williams
The 6-foot-4, 290-pound Birmingham native has a good chance of being a starter this season.
Williams has consistently worked with the first-team defense throughout the spring and can play both inside and outside along the defensive line.
“Quinnen Williams. That’s the guy you need to know,” former Alabama All-American defensive lineman Jonathan Allen said during the 2016 season. “He’s going to be a baller. He’s going to be a beast.”
Sophomore outside linebacker Chris Allen
The Baton Rouge native is in the mix for playing time as a backup or situational player.
The 6-foot-4, 245-pound Allen led the defense in production points during the Tide’s first spring scrimmage.
Allen posted six tackles and a stop for a loss as a freshman last season.
Matt Zenitz is an Alabama beat writer for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @mzenitz.
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