Alabama football very rarely allows media observation of practice. Before the Rose Bowl against Michigan, the decision was taken out of the Crimson Tide’s hands, and reporters were allowed in for around 15 minutes of team stretching and position drills.

The Tide is practicing at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. before Monday’s College Football Playoff tilt with Michigan. The park is home of Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy.

Here’s eight observations from the open periods. Alabama will have more open viewing time on Saturday.

— Former USC cornerback Domani Jackson was among the recruits in attendance Thursday. Jackson entered the transfer portal after the season. He shook hands with Alabama head coach Nick Saban during the observable period.

— Speaking of Saban, he was in his usual role for the open periods, helping coach UA’s defensive backs. True to form, he was dressed in his regular straw hat, crimson pullover and khaki pants.

— The weather in California was a beautiful 65 degrees and sunny during practice.

— Besides Alabama’s quarterbacks, no players were wearing black jerseys, signifying them as non-contact participants.

— Running back Jase McClellan, who missed the SEC championship game with a foot injury, was in uniform and seemed to be fully participating in drills. McClellan and Saban have both said he expects to play in the Rose Bowl.

— Several members of Alabama’s recruiting class of 2024 have joined the team for practice, though they will obviously be unable to play in the game. Among them was five-star quarterback Julian Sayin. The top-ranked QB recruit in the nation was participating in practice, wearing a black No. 7 jersey.

— George Helow was helping coach Alabama’s defense. Helow was Michigan’s linebackers coach in 2021 and 2022 and was hired by the Crimson Tide ahead of the Rose Bowl.

— Defensive lineman Jaheim Oatis had a portion of his right leg wrapped. He seem to be avoiding putting all of his weight on the leg during warm-up drills.

— Quarterback Tyler Buchner was at practice and in uniform, just as he expected to be. Buchner entered the transfer portal after the regular season ended and will head to Notre Dame to play lacrosse at the conclusion of Alabama’s CFP run.