During the 2022 college football preseason, the emergence of a freshman wide reciever was teased by Nick Saban and noticed in Calera, Alabama.

The Crimson Tide head coach mentioned Calera’s Kobe Prentice to reporters as a player who “stood out” after the first scrimmage last August. Saban followed up by saying Prentice was “showing promise.” The press conference snippets were clipped and shared among Prentice’s friends and family and confirmed his eventual debut as a starter in Week 1.

Who’s trending in a similar direction during this year?

Due to the reserved nature of Alabama football’s fall camp — the only open practice to the public or media was fan day on Aug. 5 — comments on a player or position group can provide glimpses into the team’s progress ahead of the Sept. 2 opener. Especially when Saban highlights a specific area.

With 10 practices and one scrimmage completed, here’s an analysis of Alabama’s roster from the head coach himself.

Quarterbacks

The No. 1 question in camp has unexpectedly been a throughline in most of Saban’s opening comments. As opposed to addressing Jalen Milroe, Ty Simpson or Tyler Buchner’s performances individually, Saban has referenced what he wants from the position overall. After the Tide’s scrimmage on Aug. 12, Saban once again referenced ball security and execution as part of the evaluation.

Saban has addressed Buchner’s arrival after he transferred from Notre Dame in the spring window.

“I still think that he’s probably getting comfortable with the system. There’s some new terminology in it. And I think he’s probably still getting comfortable with the players around him because the other guys have been with those guys a little more. But I do think there’s really good competition at the position.”

Offensive line

Saban has spoken glowingly about a couple of the returning players assuming larger roles this season, like Terrence Ferguson and Seth McLaughlin. Saban said he looks at Ferguson, who’s worked with the first-team group at left guard, as a starter after displaying his “explosive power and body quickness” through camp. McLaughlin has had the “right stuff” while developing into a reliable center.

The group’s unanswered question is at left tackle, where Elijah Pritchett and Kadyn Proctor are battling.

“I think both (left tackles) need to continue to develop and play with a little bit more consistency in terms of the very things that I’ve been talking about in terms of paying attention to detail, doing the little things right, being able to stay focused when they get tired, having the mental toughness to see it through,” Saban said, ” … Nobody’s disappointed in their development, but if they’re gonna be starters, there’s an expectation that goes with that, too, and I think that’s something that we need to continue to work.”

Running backs

Alabama may have one of the most talented running back units in the country. As offensive coordinator Tommy Rees put it, UA is “spoiled.” Saban said special teams can be a place for its running backs that may not be as featured in the offense.

“Jase (McClellan) has been a really good leader. Roydell (Williams) has always set a really good example. He’s a good special teams players, as well as a good runner. Loves to play on teams, loves to do whatever he can to help the team. Jase has really stepped up and set a good example. And the two young players, Justice (Haynes) and Jam (Miller), have done really, really well, too. Of course, we have a new addition, the new freshman (Richard Young), but he’s probably a little bit behind the other guys just from a learning standpoint. But I like all those guys. I think they all have great attitude, and I think that’s one of the strongest positions from a depth standpoint on our team.”

Wide receivers

The wide reciever room remains largely the same with Jermaine Burton and Ja’Corey Brooks returning. From the beginning of camp, Saban has harped on reducing mental errors, which means limiting penalties for the team but specifically cutting down on drops for the pass-catchers.

“We made some good plays today too,” Saban said after the Tide’s first scrimmage. ” … I mean, if you’re a receiver, why do they call your receiver supposed to be able to catch the ball, right? I mean, that’s what receiver means. So you should never drop a ball. And you know, that’s something that we got to stay focused on.”

Tight ends

“CJ (Dippre) has been a really good addition to that group. He’s got maturity. He’s got experience. He’s got size. He’s got good hands. He’s pretty good in the passing game. He’s a pretty decent blocker. Amari (Niblack) has really made a lot of improvement. He’s kind of a mismatch player a little bit in the passing game, which is a good thing. All the other guys are progressing nicely, as well. That group has come a long way, I think, over the spring and summer.”

Rees isn’t expected to introduce a whole new offense, instead adding “wrinkles” to the Tide’s existing system. That could mean more production from tight ends in the passing game.

Defensive line

“I think we have five or six guys that are playing pretty well. … (Jaheim Oatis) has had a really really good camp. Justin (Eboigbe) has had a really good camp so far. We’re trying to bring some of the other guys along to be able to play. Tim (Smith) is a little up and down, he needs to be more consistent. So everybody’s got something that they can work on and that’s really what we’re focused on right now.”

The other side of Alabama’s trenches has a mix of returners and freshmen fighting for playing time after Oatis’ emergence and Eboigbe’s return from injury.

Inside linebacker

“I’m happy with the group. Deontae Lawson played really good football when he played last year. He was injured a lot of the time. He sat out the spring, got his knee worked on a little bit. He’s had a good summer. He’s got leadership, he’s got a good understanding of the defense. Jihaad Campbell has made really good progress. We’ve got lots of competition at the position. I’m pleased with the way these guys are progressing.”

Another position group that is replacing decorated starters, this case Henry To’oTo’o and Jaylen Moody, UA has an opening next to Lawson inside. The redshirt sophomore has embraced a leadership role. Another contributor could be Georgia transfer Trezmen Marshall.

Outside linebacker

Pass rusher may be the least talked about position in camp and that’s by virtue of its steadiness. Dallas Turner is set to replace Will Anderson as the group’s leader. Saban noted Chris Braswell’s success when he’s been on the field and now the senior has a chance to be a full-time starter. The intrigue arises with a pair of blue-chip recruits who enrolled in the summer, Yhozae Pierre and Keon Keeley.

“So their learning curve is a little bit behind a lot of the other guys but they have a lot of potential, they have a lot of ability,” Saban said, ” … To teach guys how to play that is a little bit of a work in progress. How do you drop? When do you drop? How do you stand up and play and use your hands when can you rush up the field and when can you not?”

Secondary

Versatility has been the keyword for the defensive backs. Aside from Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold at the cornerbacks, the safety and star positions can see a few different faces try to mesh together. Junior DeVonta Smith has demonstrated a better handle on the playbook and transfers Jaylen Key and Trey Amos have taken snaps at safety and cornerback.

“(DeVonta Smith) can play a couple different things. Kristian Story can play a couple of different things. That’s one of the things that we tried to do in camp, we got guys rolling all over the place. It does sort of sometimes affect the repetitions that a guy gets at a certain position, but I think it’s important that guys have a background and a basic knowledge of information so we get guys injured during the season we can move guys around and have a chance to get the best people in the field.”

Special teams

Kicker Will Reichard, punter James Burnip and long-snapper Kneeland Hibbett are all returning.

“We’ve got a lot of confidence in both guys. James has gotten a little better each year in terms of his consistency. He’s got a really strong leg, but he’s gotten a little more consistent, so his bad kicks aren’t as bad and his good kicks are even better. But he’s more consistent all the way around. And Will’s been as good a college kicker over the last two, three years as anybody could ever ask for. We’re really glad to have both those guys back.”

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