The Crimson Tide is facing some unexpected hurdles as spring practice kicks off, with key players sidelined! As Alabama prepares to dive into their spring football drills this Sunday, they'll be doing so without a standout Freshman All-SEC selection. Head coach Kalen DeBoer shared with Bama247 on Wednesday that London Simmons will unfortunately be out of commission due to an injury. The good news? This setback isn't expected to affect his availability for the crucial start of the regular season. Simmons was a consistent presence last year, playing in every game and even earning two starts. He contributed 19 tackles and 1.5 sacks to the team's efforts.
But here's where it gets a bit more challenging: The offensive line is also feeling the pinch. William Sanders, a frequently utilized reserve offensive lineman, will also miss spring practice as he recovers from a back injury. DeBoer confirmed that Sanders, who logged a significant 177 snaps on offense last season and was poised to compete for a starting guard position, is anticipated to be fully ready for the fall. This is particularly noteworthy given that Alabama needs to replace four out of five starters on their offensive line from the previous season.
And this is the part most people miss: The defensive backfield, a position of strength for Alabama, will also see some limitations. Star defensive backs Bray Hubbard and Zabien Brown will be participating in spring practice in a limited capacity, according to Coach DeBoer. Hubbard, who earned All-SEC honors and was a Third Team All-American, made the significant decision to return for his senior season rather than enter the NFL draft. Brown, a former Freshman All-SEC honoree, is recognized as one of the top cornerbacks in the nation, especially after his impressive sophomore season where he recorded two pick-sixes.
While these absences and limitations are certainly news, it's worth noting that Alabama boasts considerable depth in its secondary. Returning starters include safety Keon Sabb, husky Red Morgan, and cornerback Dijon Lee. Adding to the talent pool are former highly-touted recruit and redshirt freshman Chuck McDonald at corner, along with safeties Zavier Mincey, Ivan Taylor, and Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. The incoming talent is also impressive, featuring five-star Jorden Edmonds, four-stars Jireh Edwards and Zyan Gibson, junior college transfer Nick Sherman, and Mercer transfer Carmelo O'Neal.
What do you think about these early spring practice developments? Are you concerned about the offensive line's ability to gel with so many new faces, or do you trust Coach DeBoer to work his magic? Let us know in the comments below!
