Alabama Gets Season in Gear With Fully-Padded Practice

© University of Alabama Athletics

Alabama Football held its sixth practice of the 2024 season on on Aug. 9, and for the first time, they did so in full pads. The Crimson Tide have previously held practices in shoulder pads and helmets but today they traded in athletic shorts for padded pants. Offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan emphasized the importance of the skill positions to get reps in full pads during today's live sessions.

The first practice session started Aug. 7 in the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility. The team moved drills outside to the Thomas-Drew Practice Fields later in the day and were rewarded with ice cream after practice.

Sheridan Discusses Offensive Progress

Sheridan said that the players are adapting well to the new offense and building trust within their position groups. He acknowledged the offensive players for their improved grasp of the scheme, transitioning effectively from spring to fall.

Sheridan said speed is Alabama's biggest strength in the wide receiver room. He also commended assistant head coach and WR coach JaMarcus Shepard for making sure his players understood the fine details required by their position.

Sheridan said the offensive line is making daily improvements, but he has yet to finalize a starting lineup. He mentioned that the initial fall scrimmage would provide a clearer picture of the starting roster. During the day's practice, it was noted that center Parker Brailsford delivered clean snaps to quarterback Jalen Milroe throughout the media observation period. Given the previous year's challenges with erratic snaps from ex-center Seth McLaughlin, this update is likely to be well-received by Alabama supporters.

Other Takeaways

The only players wearing no-contact jerseys were the quarterbacks signaling all practice participants are healthy. Furthermore, no players were seen on exercise bikes during the viewing period.

Defensive coordinator Kane Womack worked with the safeties on coverage drills alongside defensive backs coach Colin Hilster. Womack was reported to be instructing multiple players to play the top shoulder against receivers.

© Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News/USA TODAY NETWORK

The quarterbacks began their drills by passing to the tight ends—a position that will have a more prominent role in Kalen DeBoer and Sheridan's offense. Josh Cuevas, a transfer from Washington, looked to be the best route runner and most versatile of the tight end group.

DeBoer spent a lot of time with the offense, especially the quarterbacks, during the media viewing period. He was seen giving Milroe some feedback after making a bad handoff in a drill with running back Justice Haynes.

As mentioned earlier, the team was rewarded with ice cream late in the practice when an ice cream truck showed up at the field toward the end of practice.