Alabama Players Evaluate Performance in Second Scrimmage

Veteran leaders Roydell Williams and Justin Eboigbe talk about how the improvements the Crimson Tide made in the final scrimmage of fall camp.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama wrapped up fall camp with its final scrimmage Saturday afternoon inside Bryant-Denny Stadium. 

Some of the Crimson Tide players reflected Tuesday on how their respective positions performed in the scrimmage. 

"We still have some things to work on," said Alabama running back Roydell Williams. "But I feel like as a unit, as an offensive unit, we were very efficient, starting off very, very strong. As a running back unit, we finished strong, finished our runs. We had some explosive plays."

The running back said the offensive line performed well Saturday. After the scrimmage, Saban said the unit had improved from the first scrimmage to the second. Part of that was moving sophomore guard Tyler Booker from the right side over to the left side of the line to help balance out the inexperience at left tackle. 

For Williams, a major focus of the scrimmage was making sure the running backs and offensive line were working in sync to keep the quarterbacks protected. 

"Those guys work their butts off each and every day," he said about the offensive line. "Being able to communicate with those guys and being on the same level as them is the most important thing, just making sure we’re keeping those quarterbacks clean.”

On the defensive side, fifth-year senior Justin Eboigbe said the defensive line took big strides between the two scrimmages.  

"We were able to force a couple fumbles, get a couple fumble recoveries," Eboigbe said. "That’s what we want. We want to create turnovers and get to the ball— gang tackle, everyone get to the ball. That’s what we want our defense to be about.”

Turnovers have been a major point of emphasis for Saban over the last two seasons. In 2022, the Alabama defense only forced three fumbles and seven interceptions, so Saturday's scrimmage performance is an encouraging sign for the defensive line. 

Eboigbe is one of the three players in the position group alongside sophomore Jaheim Oatis and redshirt sophomore Tim Keenan III as players who Saban cited as having performed well in fall camp. Overall, Saban wants to see more consistency in the defensive line. 

Even though fall camp is over, the team has still not started official preparations for Middle Tennessee

See also:

What We Learned from Alabama Football's Final Scrimmage of Fall Camp

How Alabama's Quarterbacks Looked in Final Scrimmage

True Freshman RB Justice Haynes Misses Alabama's Second Scrimmage with Injury