The fact that it’s hot in Alabama isn’t news. It’d be more noteworthy if the state dropped into more comfortable temperatures in August.

Small comfort for the football players at Alabama’s flagship university. Crimson Tide athletes are in the midst of preseason camp and the fact that it gets hot every year doesn’t make the field any cooler.

“That heat is something different,” defensive lineman Jaheim Oatis said Monday.

One of Nick Saban’s major points of emphasis this camp has been focus. He wants the team zeroing in on every play, trying to eliminate some of the late-game gaffes that cost Alabama last season against LSU and Tennessee.

That’s harder when the heat index sits over 105 degrees like it did during the Tide’s first scrimmage on Saturday. However, the head coach mentioned wanting his squad to deal with challenges.

The temperature certainly qualifies.

“This is a great opportunity, in these circumstances, for us to be able to preserve some difficult things to overcome adversity,” Saban said. “I don’t think you could be a great competitor if you can’t overcome adversity, because adversity is coming some kind of way.”

With temps where they are, players have to be smart. For JC Latham, a 335-pound offensive tackle, nutrition is a key.

The junior said he’ll usually eat twice before practice, but will add a third meal Monday with the Tide conducting a night practice.

“Try to get a snack in, definitely need to hydrate,” Latham said “Different fluids going through your body, but it needs to be the right stuff. Just making sure that when you’re out there, you’re prepared. You can’t just go out there on one sandwich for the whole day, because you’ll die.”

Latham spent part of his high school career in Wisconsin, which usually doesn’t hit the same levels of heat and humidity as Alabama. However, he originally hails from Meridian, Miss., and transferred to the IMG Academy in Florida for his later prep career, so he’s well-versed in the area’s climate.

He said the temperatures can help the Crimson Tide grow more cohesive.

“It’s 105 (degrees) out there some days, and we’re in full pads, but we’re not going to change what we do,” Latham said. “We’re out here, so we might as well get something out of it. Previously, there were guys on past teams, individuals, trying to step up and be that voice, but now, it’s groups and whole units, like the whole defense. The whole defense comes together, rallies, and says, ‘Let’s do this, let’s go.’ The offense does the same thing. We’re all out here, whether it’s 105 or not. We’re all ready to go.”

Alabama is set to continue preseason camp through Aug. 26. The Crimson Tide will open the 2023 season on Sept. 2 at Bryant-Denny Stadium against Middle Tennessee State.

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