SEC football is fast. Alabama, which started preseason camp on Thursday, is no exception.

The Crimson Tide added two junior college transfers this offseason in wideout Malik Benson and linebacker Justin Jefferson. According to head coach Nick Saban, getting up to the mental speed the SEC game takes was challenging for both of them.

“I think both guys are, sort of, developing nicely,” Saban said Thursday after the start of camp. “I think the biggest issue with those guys is understanding what to do so they can go play fast all the time. I think there’s still a little apprehension.”

Benson was the top-ranked JuCo player nationally after spending 2022 at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas. He caught 43 passes for 1,229 yards and 11 touchdowns in his first season there and added 54 catches for 923 yards and 10 scores in 2022.

Jefferson, a Memphis, Tenn. native, joined the Tide from Pearl River Community College, also in Kansas. He was a four-star prospect after making 86 tackles with two sacks and an interception in 2022.

According to Saban, Benson’s position makes it slightly easier for him to assimilate to Alabama than Jefferson.

“Malik’s probably a little further along than Justin,” Saban said. “Because at least on offense, you know, I know what I’m supposed to do. On defense, you’re reacting to something, s o not being able to understand what your assignment is and how to react to that, I think takes a little longer, but I think both those two guys can make a contribution to our team.”

Alabama’s fall camp is scheduled to run through Aug. 26. The Crimson Tide open the season on Sept. 2 against Middle Tennessee State.

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