A few days into spring practice, players who transferred from the previous system are helping Alabama football adjust to a new one.
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama: For Alabama football, the spring football season heralds a significant transformation that hasn’t been witnessed in Tuscaloosa in more than 15 years.
Over the course of the first three days of spring practice, Alabama players have had to adjust to a lot of change, with Nick Saban having retired and Kalen DeBoer taking the helm.
A benefit of this coaching staff spearheading the change—many of whom followed DeBoer from Washington—is that a few players from DeBoer’s 2023 Huskies squad have transferred to Alabama and are assisting in instilling the principles of the new system.
JaMarcus Shephard, the wide receivers coach for Alabama, said, “You know what, there’s some small little nuances that come up from time to time, that every once in a while even as a coach you kind of breeze over.” “You have players who have mastered the ins and outs of the game for the past two years. Guys like Austin Mack and Germie Bernard are in the building, and they draw guys aside to tell them, “Hey, this is the expectation.”
Centre Parker Brailsford, wide receiver Bernard, and quarterback Mack were all on the 2023 Washington squad that advanced to the national championship game. This indicates that DeBoer, Shephard, and offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan—all significant contributors to this potent offensive scheme—were also their coaches.
Shephard notably noted Bernard, a player in his position group, as someone who knows what he looks for in a player.Shephard stated, “Germie knew what the receivers were getting into.” He was aware that I would push them to their absolute maximum and that I would be flying about every day. He was aware that there would be very high standards. He was aware that admission would become more expensive. He is assisting these men in realizing that a high level of performance is expected of them in the offence.”
Throughout this phase of adjustment on the Capstone, the three Washington transfers will remain crucial as Alabama’s spring practice progresses and prepares for the A-Day game on April 13.
