Against Arkansas, Alabama needed a Star.

Brian Branch, the starter at the Tide’s linebacker/cornerback hybrid position, was taken out after an injury in the second quarter. Backup Malachi Moore started cramping and was off the field. Third-string Jahquez Robinson wasn’t available, either. Scanning the sidelines while fending off a comeback bid, Alabama coaches didn’t have many options. That’s when the preseason preparation came in.

Sophomore cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry had taken snaps as a Star in fall camp but hadn’t during the first five weeks of the season. On the sidelines, Nick Saban mentioned to senior safeties Jordan Battle and Demarcco Hellams, “Tell (McKinstry) what to do on every play.”

“It shows how much guys on our defense, guys in our secondary, we know everyone’s job, and that helps us be prepared for whatever goes on on the field,” Hellams said.

Situations like that happen over the course of the season, and a win or loss can be determined by the readiness of a reserve player. At Texas, the Longhorns’ go-ahead field goal in the fourth quarter was preluded by a broken coverage because someone ran onto the field late and didn’t know the play. In Fayetteville, Jalen Milroe delivered five touchdown drives.

With varying injury updates at different positions, the Tide hasn’t seen a significant drop-off when it pulls from the lower section of the depth chart. Receivers have stepped up, the positional versatility in the secondary is coming together and the offensive line is rounding into form. As starters work through treatment, namely quarterback Bryce Young, the depth of No. 1 Alabama (5-0, 2-0 Southeastern Conference) will be further tested against Texas A&M this Saturday and at Tennessee next week.

Along the trenches, eight offensive linemen have been featured in non-blowout scenarios. There’s been a rotation among the guards and with center Darrion Dalcourt injured, Seth McLaughlin got the start at Arkansas. He helped spring a couple of explosive runs while not surprising any of his teammates.

“Think something special about the o-line we have in general is we’re really deep. Ones and twos, everybody is a really good player and could be a starter anywhere in the SEC,” Emil Ekiyor Jr. said. “… It’s awesome. I told him afterward, ‘Man, you’ve got some great football IQ.’ He just does some good stuff out there.”

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Alabama’s freshmen receivers were the first to have to fill in following the preseason injuries of JoJo Earle and Tyler Harrell. It started with Kobe Prentice out of the slot and the pass-blocking of Isaiah Bond quickly earned him more playing time. Against the Hogs, Bond showed bursts of speed for a career-high 76 yards receiving.

Like McKinstry at the Star — he’s also been a standout filling in for Earle as a punt-returner, leading to program records — Alabama has readied for the worst situations. And it’s paid off.

“I think that’s one of the reasons why you come to Alabama,” Will Anderson said. “Coach Saban says it all of the time to add value to your game, to add versatility to your game. When you come here, they’re going to ask you to do things that you’re probably not comfortable with, but they know you can do it. They have all the trust and confidence in you to do it. You just have to go out there and believe in yourself.”

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].