Alabama staff talks development of multiple young offensive players

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — During Alabama’s 52-7 win against Mercer on Saturday, the Crimson Tide got the luxury of playing a large portion of the roster by the end of the game, many of which wouldn’t have the opportunity to receive playing time otherwise.

In their Monday press conferences, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer and offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan were asked about a wide variety of young offensive players and their individual developments. Here’s what they said about each:

Nick Sheridan on Alabama’s backup quarterbacks:

“I thought all of them did a nice job. Certainly there was learning moments for each one of them, but as far as just execution and loving their unit, I thought those guys did a nice job. Every snap that you get is invaluable for their growth and development, but yeah, I thought all three guys did a nice job.”

Stats against Mercer:
– Ty Simpson: 5-for-10, 71 yards, 2 carries, 14 yards
– Dylan Lonergan: 5-for-6, 23 yards
– Austin Mack: 2-for-3, 39 yards, 1 TD

Nick Sheridan on running back Richard Young:

“I think toughness, I think a physicality. He’s a decisive runner, he runs behind his pads. He’s a great kid, very well liked, not just by the other running backs but by the whole team. You see that. He had a really tough fourth-down run, he ran through a guy. And he’s done that back in spring practice and training camp. And so he’s just a great kid and a really tough runner who runs downhill, he’s decisive and he stays behind his pads.”

Stats against Mercer: 7 carries, 26 yards, 1 TD

Nick Sheridan on wide receiver Caleb Odom:

“He’s a great kid. I think he’s a really conscientious, hard-working player. He has talent, there’s no doubt about it. Anytime those moments present themselves, you learn from them. That’s what I expect him to do. I know that was his approach (Monday). He’s just a really conscientious, hard-working kid who has great football in front of him. His attitude has been good, he continues to work hard and practices well. (He) cares a lot about improving as a player. I think he’s got a lot of great football ahead of him”

Stats against Mercer: 4 targets, 2 catches, 20 yards

Nick Sheridan on backup wide receivers:

“There was a lot of players, not just receivers, tight ends, running backs. There’s a lot of guys that touched the football, which was great to see. And so, I think you see some of the flashes with some of the young receivers that we have in our program, you know, the Caleb Odoms, the Rico Scotts. Some of those guys that have played some this year certainly, but you can see some of the talent, some of the explosiveness, some of the ball skills. And there were other guys as well. There’s certainly guys that have played a lot of football, but there were some young players that went in there and did a nice job and continue to grow, practice really hard. Coach Shep coaches the heck out of those guys. So yeah, we’re encouraged by some of the young skill players, and not just at wide receiver. I think tight ends, running backs, there’s some good young players in our program, there’s no doubt about it.”

Stats against Mercer:
– Rico Scott: 2 catches, 37 yards, 1 TD
– Bubba Hampton: 1 catch, 6 yards

Kalen DeBoer on running back Kevin Riley:

“Kevin, explosive guy. I think he’s learning a lot from the upperclassmen: Justice and Jam, just as far as what it takes to come in every day and have that workman like mentality. So Coach (Gillespie) has coached him up, he gets out there and you feel very comfortable with him that he’s gonna know what to what his job responsibility is on any play. So really like what those two guys are doing right now in our program as they develop.” 

Stats against Mercer: 3 carries, 4 yards, 2 catches, 9 yards

Kalen DeBoer on offensive lineman William Sanders:

“The thing I really noticed is you don’t get to see him on the field much on Saturdays, or at all, I think he got a snap in on Saturday. The cool thing was he was just as happy to let other guys go out there who will probably not get many chances in the rest of their career, to go out there in the football field and took advantage of his opportunity. But he works so hard and he is becoming extremely strong in the weight room, and that’s only going to translate to him being really comfortable when his time comes here. And he’s got to be ready anytime, but in the days and the next spring and moving forward. But he’s got a great attitude, great personality about him. I think he really enjoys being here.”