Alabama Football: Top Takeaways from 2015 Fall Camp

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — After a full month of training camp, the University of Alabama football team appears to be only slightly closer to naming a starting quarterback than when the players reported.

The Crimson Tide’s initial depth chart, which was released Monday, didn’t shed much light on who might start Saturday’s game against Wisconsin at A&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas (8 p.m. ET). Senior Jake Coker, sophomore Cooper Bateman and junior Alec Morris were all listed as being with the first team, with true freshman Blake Barnett and redshirt freshman David Cornwell the second-team quarterbacks. 

“I've been really pleased with all three of the quarterbacks who have taken some reps in practice,” Nick Saban said. “Jake has really done a good job of getting the ball out of his hands and seems to be more comfortable with the offense. Cooper Bateman is more athletic. Has really improved as a passer and done a really good job of executing. Alec is very, very comfortable in running the offense in terms of knowledge and experience and that type of thing.”

Although Saban said he would have preferred to let his starter know the decision “three months ago,” the team’s approach this week will be to give each quarterback a chance to practice as if he was the starter.

Name	Year	Attempts
Jake Coker	Sr.	100
Alec Morris	Jr.	0
Cooper Bateman	So.	0
David Cornwell	RFr.	0
Blake Barnett	Fr.	0

As for how the quarterbacks might be used against the Badgers, Saban isn’t telling and neither are the players.

“Everybody else knows not to really ask me because [they know] I can’t say anything,” senior center Ryan Kelly said. “I guess we’ll just find out.”

Attitude adjustment

Alabama coaches are just a few days from finding out if their offseason efforts to make the Crimson Tide a hungry team again will pay off.

But they have to like what they’re hearing.

“We want to be a team that no one wants to play,” senior linebacker Dillon Lee said. “We want people to hate playing us,and really just be a nightmare for our opponents.”

The defensive players weren’t the only ones talking about taking it to other teams physically, as the Crimson Tide offense hopes to be more like the 2011 and 2012 national champions as well.

“Teams feared us,” Kelly said. “Teams walked away not wanting to play us."

“In the fourth quarter, we knew we had the upper hand.”

Freshmen surprises

With Alabama expecting to play a lot of its base defense against Wisconsin, it’ll likely use a nose guard in running situations. Not only does that mean more Darren Lake than usual, but also true freshman Daron Payne, who was listed as an “or” option to start.

“He's a very good player,” Saban said. “He's very explosive, quick, can play with power, and we're very pleased with the progress he's made. I think anytime you're talking about a freshman at any position, how rapidly they can develop, the knowledge and experience to do the job, the way the other players expect them to do it is really important. But I think that our players respect the fact that this guy has shown a lot of ability and has an opportunity to help us as an inside player.”

Senior linebacker Reggie Ragland called Payne a “man-child.”

Meanwhile, cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick was listed as Alabama’s “star," which is the extra defensive back when it uses a fifth defensive back, and Calvin Ridley was an “or” option to start at the X-wide receiver slot along with Robert Foster.

Injury update

Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

For the most part, Alabama emerged from training camp without having any major injury setbacks. The one regular contributor who is considered “iffy” is wide receiver Cam Sims, who is coming off a torn ACL suffered in the spring. He and freshman Daylon Charlot were listed as co-reserves to ArDarius Stewart at the Z receiver position on the initial depth chart.

Korren Kirven (sprained knee) is also questionable. Freshman Lester Cotton has been worked in his spot on the second unit at left tackle. All indications are that Dominick Jackson (shoulder) will start at right tackle.

Walk-on receiver Parker Barrineau (toe) appears to be doubtful for Wisconsin, and out is junior Raheem Falkins (leg). Neither was listed on the depth chart. Chris Black, who missed a good part of training camp with an ankle injury, is listed as the first-team slot receiver along with Oregon State transfer Richard Mullaney. 

Crimson Tide-bits

• Denzel Devall is listed as the starter at "Jack," the hybrid linebacker/defensive end position, with Lee the strong-side linebacker. Devall played mostly "Jack" in 2013, but "Sam" last season.

• The competition continues at right guard between Alphonse Taylor and Bradley Bozeman. Lately, Taylor has worked the most with the first unit during individual drills, when reporters are allowed to observe a few minutes of practice.

• Freshman running back Bo Scarbrough (knee) has started working with the scout team while serving a four-game eligibility suspension.

• Reuben Foster appears to have won the job at weak-side linebacker. “He has worked his tail off,” Ragland said. “He’s seen what the guys before him, like C.J. Mosley and Trey DePriest, did, so he’s doing what he has to do. He asks good questions and he’s going to be a monster this year.”

• While Saban didn’t announce a starter at quarterback, he did at cornerback with Marlon Humphrey, who redshirted last season. “He’s really worked hard in practice every day to improve himself,” Saban said. “He’s been very, very competitive and we’ve been very, very pleased with where he is.”

Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.

Christopher Walsh is a lead SEC college football writer. Follow Christopher on Twitter @WritingWalsh.