Alabama football’s ReliaQuest Bowl practices represent a valuable opportunity for some of the youngest members of the Crimson Tide. Members of Alabama’s 2025 recruiting class who opted to enroll early were allowed to join the team for practice.

Four of them were defensive players, and all of those were spotted on the field at Berkeley Prep in Tampa Saturday.

“We go right in and they’re taking snaps day one,” Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack said on Friday. “And then they’re going with the scout team and they’re taking snaps as well. So, really excited about those guys. It’ll be great when we can get them in more in spring ball and all that stuff, but I would say, from a defensive perspective, it’s a really athletic class. Guys that look good in space, move well and run.”

Justin Hill was wearing No. 8 as an outside linebacker for the Crimson Tide. He stuck close with OLBs coach Christian Robinson throughout the drills.

Hill joined the Crimson Tide as a four-star prospect out of Winton Woods in Ohio. He looked to be fully participating in drills as a member of the scout team defense.

Alabama had two prospects working with the inside linebackers. Both Luke Metz and Darrell “Duke” Johnson were wearing No. 1.

Both of those players looked to be taking scout team reps, going through individual drills against backup tight ends. As the three observable periods came to an end, the group of youngsters joined the scout team in running to the offensive side of the practice field.

Finally, safety Ivan Taylor worked with the defensive backs group, wearing No. 25. Michigan has defensive players wearing all three numbers that the Crimson Tide youngsters were in, so those could be temporary.

After the practice ended, linebacker Jihaad Campbell praised how the young players have responded so far.

“They’re absorbing a lot of great information,” Campbell said. “Obviously, they don’t know everything. But they’re doing a pretty good job just learning the playbook and understanding different things that we do out there in our individual drills, and they’re going to be great guys for our program.”

Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe also said the youngsters have been a positive presence in Tampa so far.

“Very helpful,” Milroe said. “Very helpful to have some guys come in at DB position and linebacker core. It’s been big for us, just to get another look.”

Alabama and Michigan are scheduled to kick off at 11 a.m. CT Tuesday at Raymond James Stadium. The game will be aired on ESPN.