Alabama held the first A-Day of the Kalen DeBoer era on Saturday afternoon.

The exhibition game headlined a loaded slate of SEC spring games on Saturday, but was the only one to appear on ESPN. In the end, the offense defeated the defense 34-28. Like many spring games put on by other schools across the country, A-Day featured a unique scoring system.

Alabama is likely to have one of the best-attended spring games in the nation this year, as 72,358 people were in the stands to watch DeBoer’s first A-Day.

Here are 3 takeaways from the afternoon in Tuscaloosa:

Jalen Milroe showed improvement as a passer

One of the biggest questions facing Alabama this spring has been how Jalen Milroe would adjust to DeBoer’s pass-heavy scheme. Milroe had some limitations at times as a passer last season, and often had to do damage in the running game instead.

But on Saturday in the spring game, Milroe showed off some of his improvements as a passer. His best ball of the day was a cross-field throw to Germie Bernard, which ended up going for 50+ yards. Milroe hit Bernard in stride and allowed the talented wideout to make a play after the catch.

Here’s video of Milroe’s toss:

Milroe’s growth will be crucial to the level of success that Alabama is capable of in 2024. In the spring game on Saturday, he showed as much as he could have to prove that he’s on the right track.

Bernard emerging as a top offensive weapon

Alabama will need to re-make its wide receiver room this offseason after losing top receivers Jermaine Burton and Isaiah Bond. Bernard is an early favorite to be one of Milroe’s top targets in 2024 given his performance on Saturday.

Bernard transferred to Alabama back in January after spending a season at Washington last year. He managed to go for over 400 yards a season ago with the Huskies despite playing behind a trio of elite wide receivers who will be playing on Sundays in the near future.

Bernard also caught a 30-yard pass from Milroe early in the game and is shaping up to be an effective deep-ball weapon in Alabama’s offense this season. Last year for Washington, he averaged 12.3 yards per reception.

Alabama’s defense struggled early, but rebounded late

The Alabama defense struggled in the 1st half, but rebounded well as the game went on. The Crimson Tide’s offense scored points (3 touchdowns and 1 field goal) on each of their first 4 possessions before the defense settled in.

One of the plays of the day for Alabama’s defense was made by true freshman defensive back Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. He picked off Austin Mack on 4th down in the end zone, but the pick was negated due to an offsides penalty. Still, it was a good sign of progress from a young defensive back that may be able to play for the Tide in 2024.

Alabama’s struggles against the first-team offense underscore some of the concerns the team is facing now that spring ball is over. DeBoer told reporters earlier this spring that the team will likely look to add a defensive back or two in the transfer portal in the spring.

The portal window is set to open on Monday. That will mark the first time that Alabama’s new coaching staff has been able to make full use of the portal since arriving in Tuscaloosa.

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