A football season isn’t defined by spring practices. Instead, the early weeks give a window into the foundation of a roster and provide areas of improvement for the summer and eventually the fall.

On Friday, during the Crimson Tide’s first scrimmage, coach Nick Saban got to see his team’s depth tested.

“Today, we really wanted to evaluate how guys competed, what their effort was, what kind of mental and physical toughness did they play with, how accountable could they be to go out there and do their job,” Saban said. “And I think first scrimmage, that’s something we really wanted to see. I like the progress the team is making. We’re not satisfied with where we are, but we’re not displeased with the progress that we’re making. I think the key is to look at this film and everybody learn and grow from the experience and improve so we do things a little more consistently in the next scrimmage.”

The offense, led by both Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson, played “equally well.” Part of the day featured explosive plays, Saban said. (The scrimmage was closed to the media and no stats were provided.) The inverse of that success though meant the defense conceded chunks of yardage. It didn’t generate enough turnovers, according to Saban, an issue that persisted last year.

Alabama was missing quite a few returning starters and players expected to grow into starting roles. Linebackers Dallas Turner and Deontae Lawson both had surgery in the offseason and won’t be available for the Tide’s 14 spring practices and A-Day game. Boundary cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry was out due to “family circumstances,” Saban said. Senior Chris Braswell was also inactive.

“We certainly miss their presence out there,” Saban said of the lack of Turner and Braswell. “I think that’s one of the biggest things right now is the guys that would be some of the best leaders are not guys that are being able to participate. But the good news is the other guys that play with them and behind them are getting a world of experience, which is gonna be very beneficial to them in their development.”

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Justin Eboigbe, a defensive lineman who was sidelined a few games into last season with a neck injury, played only on 3rd down days after he was 100% cleared to return. Hewitt-Trussville alum and senior Malachi Moore took snaps at safety in addition to reps at the STAR cornerback position, which he manned last year. Redshirt freshman Earl Little II and redshirt sophomore Terrion Arnold slotted at STAR, too.

Saban said freshman and five-star recruit Caleb Downs is “doing well for a young guy.” Downs was one of a handful of players that were commended by Saban, including pass-rushers Jeremiah Alexander, Keanu Koht and Quandarrius Robinson. At inside linebacker, Trez Marshall showed “maturity.” Shawn Murphy and Jihaad Campbell, signees from the class of 2022, have “done a pretty good job.”

“I think that’s sort of the next step in the progression of being able to play winning football is being able to go out there and have enough confidence in yourself and understand the system well enough that you can go apply it to whatever multiple sort of shows up,” Saban said. “I think competing in the scrimmage is an opportunity for guys to say, ‘Hey, I can be accountable to do my job, I know what I’m supposed to do, when I’m supposed to slant and get a gap, I know what I’m supposed to do when it’s a certain protection as an offensive lineman or running back. But I got to figure it out. I got to understand the concepts and be able to go execute it, recognize what’s happening, have the right eye control and have the discipline to execute it on a consistent basis.’”

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