Alabama put on the pads for the first time during the 15-practice spring session. Nick Saban seemed particularly pleased with what he saw from a trio of newcomers.
Saban highlighted 2 transfers and a freshman while speaking with reporters after Wednesday’s practice.
After flashing throughout 2 seasons at Georgia Tech, running back Jahmyr Gibbs looks to play a key role in the Alabama ground attack in 2022. Saban had high praise when asked about Gibbs.
“He has really been a very good addition to our team,” Saban said. “He’s got great speed. He’s really a good receiver, good third-down back. He’s got great vision. He’s got really good burst out of a cut. I’m really, really impressed with what he’s been able to do. He’s smart. He picked up things. He’s an experienced player. He really does a good job of understanding what we’re trying to do and how we’re doing it, and that’s what experienced players can do. He’s done a really, really good job.”
Saban pointed to experience, again, when talking about another Power 5 transfer. Eli Ricks, a transfer from LSU, has impressed while bouncing back from last season’s injury.
“He’s done a good job,” Saban said of Ricks. “He’s coming off a shoulder injury. He missed half the season or more than half the season last year. He didn’t do anything, he wasn’t able to do anything for a long time, so when he started here in the offseason program, that was the first thing he has done for a long time. He lost some weight. He’s been gaining it back. Again, an experienced player who understands how to play the game. He’s picking up things and doing a good job out there. So it’s a real positive addition to our team.”
Saban has also been impressed by an inexperienced newcomer. Kendrick Law is a freshman early enrollee. A former top-100 prospect with the “ATH” designation, Law can play multiple positions but looks to have a bright future at wide receiver.
“He’s done a nice job,” Saban said of Law. “He’s a guy that could play multiple positions if that creates value, in your opinion. But he has done a really good job at receiver. He’s got some speed, he’s got some size, he runs good routes, he’s got really good hands. He’s picked up on things and sort of has the right mindset to be able to deal with some of the frustrations young players go through when they’re trying to learn a system and making more mistakes than they’re used to probably. He plays through it, and he’s made a lot of plays, and I think he’s a guy who might be able to help us if he continues to develop.”
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
