Kalen DeBoer evaluates Alabama’s battle on line of scrimmage

Alabama is weeks away from opening the 2024 season and the Kalen DeBoer era. And that means the Crimson Tide need to be rounding into form, especially in the trenches.

After a scrimmage on Saturday, DeBoer said both the pass protection and defensive front units each had moments of good and bad. And as DeBoer described it, it’s more to do with each unit being good and capable of winning a rep due to talent and technique.

“I thought it was probably the best give and take as far as pressure but also just really being able to kind of dig in and give a pocket for the quarterback, so when we needed some time, they did it,” DeBoer said. “But there was also some times, especially like last week, where the defense got to the quarterback and finished drives off and a lot of times those are in your third down situations. Third down, back to the wall, got home.”

The pass protection formula wasn’t quite perfect on Saturday, though, DeBoer said. Two notable pieces of the pass protection recipe — offensive lineman Jaeden Roberts and running back Jam Miller — didn’t practice on Saturday.

“I thought with running backs, Jam in particular, not really doing anything out there, rotation with some of those guys, I thought we were solid,” DeBoer said. “I do think our defensive line is doing a really good job against the run.”

More on Miller, Roberts missing Saturday’s scrimmage

DeBoer shared a positive update on the status Miller and Roberts after Saturday’s scrimmage.

According to DeBoer, Miller did not participate in the scrimmage but could have suited up, while he stated Roberts “will be able to play Week 1,” according to BamaOnLine’s Charlie Potter.

Miller was dinged up during fall camp, DeBoer said, and was seen earlier this week wearing a no-contact practice jersey on Tuesday during running back drills. Meanwhile, Roberts has been dealing with a leg injury that he suffered during the spring game.

Keeping Miller and Roberts healthy and ready for Week 1 will be a priority for the Crimson Tide moving forward. Miller figures to be one of two Alabama running backs alongside Justice Haynes expected to carry the bulk of rushing production out of the backfield this season.

With 41 carries for 201 yards and one touchdown, Miller is the top returning running back at Alabama (QB Jalen Milore had more rushing production) after Jase McLellan left for the NFL and Roydell Williams transferred to Florida State.