Alabama will hold its annual spring game on Saturday afternoon.

This year’s spring game will come with plenty of intrigue as it will be the first chance for fans to see Kalen DeBoer’s team in action. A-Day headlines a full slate of SEC spring games on Saturday and will be broadcast on ESPN at 4 p.m. ET.

Here’s something to look out for on both sides of the ball during Alabama’s spring game:

How does Jalen Milroe look in Kalen DeBoer’s system?

Jalen Milroe is an elite athlete, but he had his limitations as a passer last season in his first year as a starter in Tuscaloosa. He enters the 2024 campaign as the unquestioned starter at Alabama, but may need to continue to prove himself throughout the year for that to remain the case.

Alabama did an excellent job of covering for Milroe’s issues last season. The Tide operated a run-first offense, as they rushed the ball about two-thirds of the time. When Milroe did throw it, it was often in advantageous situations — and on the whole, he was very efficient. Milroe averaged 10 yards per attempt last year and had a TD-to-INT ratio of 23-to-6. Despite his efficiency, he attempted under 22 passes per game in 2023.

Milroe’s limitations caused Alabama’s offense to be one-dimensional when it faced elite defenses. Against Texas, Tennessee, Georgia and Michigan, Alabama’s running game faltered against loaded boxes. Alabama rushed for under 3.3 yards per carry against those teams (a full yard below their season average), and Milroe wasn’t able to make up the difference. Milroe averaged 8.3 yards per attempt in those games, nearly 2 yards below his season-average.

In the end, it wasn’t good enough for Alabama to advance in the College Football Playoff. Things could get more complicated in 2024 if DeBoer wants to run any semblance of the same offense he led at Washington over the past 2 seasons. With Michael Penix Jr. under center in 2023, Washington threw the ball over 58% of the time. If that sort of breakdown is going to work with Milroe under center, he will need to take some big steps forward this offseason.

So far, the early returns out of Tuscaloosa have been positive, with DeBoer praising Milroe’s skillset and growth as a passer.

“He’s got that dual skillset,” DeBoer said in a press conference midway through spring practice. “Being able to run and throw. Now that we have enough things in where he can utilize all of that … He’s tough to handle. He’s just so extremely fast. You think you’ve got him bottled up, and he just runs right around you. He’s done a really good job. I think he’s getting more and more comfortable with the offense every day, especially when it comes to the pass game.”

The spring game will provide a glimpse of what Alabama wants to do offensively — and how Milroe might fit into that equation.

As for the rest of the QB room, Alabama does have an intriguing backup option in Austin Mack. The former 4-star recruit followed DeBoer from Washington to Tuscaloosa this offseason and figures to be more of a pass-first option under center. Watching how Milroe and Mack operate in Alabama’s offense — for better or worse — will likely be the most intriguing part of Alabama’s spring game this year.

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First look at Alabama’s defense in the post-Nick Saban era

For the first time in nearly 2 decades, someone other than Nick Saban will be leading Alabama’s defense. That someone is new defensive coordinator Kane Wommack, who was hired away from the South Alabama head coaching position earlier this offseason.

Wommack has the reputation as a brilliant defensive mind, but anyone who follows Saban is going to be facing some unrealistic expectations. To make a tough situation even more difficult, Alabama lost over 20 players on defense to the NFL Draft or the transfer portal off of last year’s team.

Perhaps the biggest area of concern for the defense is in the secondary. A total of 12 defensive backs departed Alabama this offseason, leaving behind a couple of big question marks for Alabama on the back end.

Alabama was aggressive during the winter window, adding high-impact defensive back transfers Domani Jackson (USC) and Keon Sabb (Michigan). Jackson and Sabb both project as starters at cornerback and safety, respectively. Malachi Moore also figures to retain his role as a starter at safety in 2024 as he enters his 5th season with the program.

Other players of interest in the secondary include DeVonta Smith, Tony Mitchell, Jahlil Hurley, Jaylen Mbakwe, Zavier Mincey and Zabien Brown, amongst others. It’s a young group, but according to DeBoer, Alabama’s defensive backs have been impressive during spring ball.

“I think, defensive back wise, there are some young guys that are growing,” DeBoer said Thursday. “I’m impressed with some individual play, considering how young they are.”

Still, Alabama could also look to be aggressive in the transfer portal this spring to help shore up its secondary. DeBoer and his staff have not had the opportunity to hit the transfer portal since taking over in Tuscaloosa. Since Jan. 2, the portal has only been open for short periods of time for players whose coaches have left (which is how Alabama was able to land Sabb in February). With the portal set to re-open next week, Alabama could look at adding significant help in the secondary.

DeBoer told reporters on Thursday that Alabama will likely add players in the secondary via the portal during the spring window.

“I’d say in the defensive backfield we’re a guy short or so,” DeBoer said. “Just from the [scholarship] numbers that you typically would see and also where we want to be.”

The spring game could shed some light on whether Alabama will be looking for starters, depth or both in the portal at defensive back during the April transfer window.

Alabama’s spring game kicks off at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN on Saturday afternoon.