It’s a strange time for spring football. At Alabama and across the sport, the upcoming transfer portal window has made the annual practices seem less useful, given how much rosters can shift between spring and fall.

Still, Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide have goals. After UA opened spring ball on Monday, the head coach was asked what a successful spring would look like.

“I think it’s always about just continuing to climb, continue to have progress,” DeBoer said. “Challenged the guys out there. You’re either getting better or getting worse. That’s individually. That’s us collectively. It’s your side of the ball. And so I think that’s a good starting point is which direction did you go? And I expect a great attitude. Energy, effort, all that, it’s always going to be that Practice 1, and I expect that every single practice.

“ But there are some times where a guy maybe is coming back from injury or a rep that didn’t go as well. We’ve gotta pick each other up. And that’s, to me, it’s either you’re going up or you’re going down. That’s what I’m always gonna gauge it by. Because in the end goal, it’s to be our best and do your best individually.”

Alabama is dealing with a laundry list of injuries to begin spring practice. Domani Jackson, Deontae Lawson, Danny Lewis and Keon Sabb are among those who are out and Justin Jefferson, Kadyn Proctor, James Smith will be limited.

DeBoer said the absences could be good opportunities for younger members of the team to gain experience.

“With the list, yeah, there’s a lot of guys that are returners and upperclassmen, so yeah, there’s a chance to build some depth with our guys and get some younger guys a lot of reps,” DeBoer said.

Alabama has a ways to go this spring. Practices continue through April 12, when the Tide will play a “modified” A-Day game at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

After the first practice though, DeBoer said things were going well.

“It comes and goes fast,” DeBoer said. “Guys did a nice job, workmanlike mentality. Just out there doing what they can, I think, just like they have been the first 6-7 weeks of training. Doing what they can to be their best and bring others with them. Good leadership, accountability from just requiring the maximum effort, maximum strain. And I liked what I saw.”