Observe These Five Players During Alabama’s A-Day
Alabama’s annual A-Day spring game is more than a glorified scrimmage—it’s a public unveiling. For fans and analysts alike, it offers the first true glimpse of the team’s makeup ahead of the upcoming season. With Kalen DeBoer now at the helm following Nick Saban’s retirement, the 2025 iteration of A-Day carries even greater significance. Schemes will evolve, leadership will shift, and opportunities will emerge.
While spring games rarely tell the full story, they do allow viewers to observe positional battles, rising stars, and schematic nuances that shape fall expectations. With that in mind, here are five players every Alabama fan should keep an eye on during A-Day 2025.
1. Jalen Milroe – QB
Let’s start with the most obvious name on the list—Jalen Milroe. Though he enters the season as the unquestioned starter following his late-2023 breakout and solid 2024 campaign, Milroe’s development in DeBoer’s system will be a focal point. Gone is Tommy Rees’ offense, replaced by DeBoer’s quarterback-friendly, aggressive vertical system that helped Michael Penix Jr. lead Washington to the national title game.
Milroe’s athleticism is unmatched, but A-Day presents a crucial test: Can he demonstrate improved timing, precision, and pocket presence in a system that emphasizes anticipation throws and pre-snap reads?
His rapport with a relatively young receiver room, his comfort in DeBoer’s progressions, and his ability to lead the first-team offense with tempo will all be under the microscope. Expect DeBoer and OC Nick Sheridan to showcase a few of the new offensive wrinkles, giving Milroe a platform to show he’s more than just a dual-threat weapon—he’s a refined passer ready to thrive in an NFL-style offense.
2. Justice Haynes – RB
With Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams off to the NFL, it’s officially Justice Haynes season in Tuscaloosa. The former five-star from Georgia saw spot duty in 2024 but flashed elite vision, contact balance, and burst. His 6.0 yards per carry on limited touches revealed a dynamic back waiting to be unleashed.
A-Day will mark Haynes’ first true opportunity to showcase himself as Alabama’s workhorse. Not only will fans get to see how he handles a full load, but they’ll also gain insight into his development as a pass-catcher and blocker—both vital in DeBoer’s pass-heavy offense.
Haynes’ ability to create in space and his explosiveness through the hole could shine behind a revamped offensive line. With true freshman phenom Kevin Riley and sophomore Richard Young also in the mix, the competition is fierce, but Haynes enters spring as the alpha. How he performs on A-Day could foreshadow a potential Doak Walker campaign.
3. Caleb Downs – S
The anchor of Alabama’s secondary in 2024, Caleb Downs returns for his sophomore season as arguably the best defensive back in the country. A Freshman All-American and the Tide’s leading tackler last year, Downs is a game-changer whose instincts and football IQ far surpass his age.
This spring, Downs steps into an even greater role. With Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold off to the NFL, Downs is now the vocal and emotional leader of a new-look secondary. He’ll be tasked with directing traffic, disguising coverages, and supporting in the run game.
On A-Day, fans should observe not just his elite playmaking, but also his communication pre-snap. Is he aligning others correctly? Is he baiting quarterbacks into throws with disguised coverages? Is he rotating down to the STAR role in certain packages? Expect DeBoer’s staff to experiment with his versatility—slot coverage, single-high safety, or even linebacker-esque roles.
Downs’ presence gives the Tide a chess piece few teams possess. His A-Day performance may be a clinic in how elite safeties impact the game at all three levels.
4. Kadyn Proctor – LT
After briefly transferring to Iowa and then returning to Alabama this offseason, Kadyn Proctor is once again entrenched as the starting left tackle. His freshman year was a rollercoaster—he allowed more sacks than desired, but also showed glimpses of dominance, especially in the latter half of the season.
A-Day offers Proctor a chance to show growth under new OL coach Chris Kapilovic. Can he anchor the blind side with more consistency? Has his footwork improved? How’s his hand placement? These technical aspects will be on full display during the spring scrimmage, especially against Alabama’s fearsome pass rushers.
Proctor’s matchup against rising edge defenders like Keon Keeley and Yhonzae Pierre will be must-watch. If he can dominate or even hold his own, it bodes well for Alabama’s offensive identity in 2025. The Tide’s championship hopes are tied to Milroe’s health, and that begins with Proctor holding the line at left tackle.
5. Keon Keeley – EDGE
Speaking of edge defenders, Keon Keeley has the potential to be Alabama’s next pass-rushing superstar. The former top-10 national recruit played sparingly as a freshman but used the offseason to bulk up and improve his technique. Now, Keeley is poised for a breakout.
A-Day will be our first extended look at Keeley operating as a full-time starter. His explosiveness off the edge, bend around the corner, and ability to disengage from blockers will be critical components of his performance. But more importantly, fans should monitor how well he sets the edge in the run game—something Alabama struggled with in key moments last year.
With Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell off to the pros, Keeley becomes the focal point of the pass rush. DeBoer’s defensive staff—led by DC Kane Wommack—will likely feature Keeley in multiple alignments, from wide-9 stances to standing OLB. Expect some exotic blitz packages and stunts designed to free up Keeley and test his football IQ and motor.
Bonus Names to Watch
While the five names above headline the list, a few other players deserve honorable mention:
- Julian Sayin (QB): The 5-star freshman quarterback has already drawn rave reviews in camp. How much of the offense will he run, and could he push for the No. 2 spot over Dylan Lonergan?
- Malik Benson (WR): Alabama needs a go-to receiver after losing Jermaine Burton and Isaiah Bond. Benson has elite speed and could flourish in DeBoer’s offense.
- Jihaad Campbell (LB): A thumper in the middle, Campbell brings leadership and range. His ability to cover tight ends and RBs out of the backfield will be vital.
- Amari Niblack (TE): In a tight end-friendly system, Niblack could become a mismatch nightmare. Expect to see him split out wide or line up in the slot on A-Day.
- Desmond Ricks (CB): After a quiet freshman year, Ricks is competing for a starting job. His A-Day performance could help solidify his place in the cornerback rotation.
The Bigger Picture: Kalen DeBoer’s Vision
Beyond individual players, A-Day 2025 is about the debut of Kalen DeBoer’s vision for Alabama football. How much of the new offense will he show? Will the defense look more aggressive under Wommack? Are there signs of a cultural shift—or is Alabama still Alabama, just under new management?
There’s also the question of tempo. DeBoer’s teams typically play faster than Saban’s more methodical approach. Will we see hurry-up sets? Quick throws? More RPOs? These nuances will offer insight into how the team will function in high-pressure SEC matchups.
Also, leadership matters. With so many vocal leaders gone to the NFL, who steps up? A-Day is a proving ground not just for skillsets, but for locker room alphas.
Alabama fans are entering uncharted waters—a new era led by Kalen DeBoer and shaped by a mix of returning stars and rising talent. The 2025 A-Day Game won’t answer every question, but it will provide essential clues. From Jalen Milroe’s development to Keon Keeley’s emergence, from Justice Haynes’ workload to Kadyn Proctor’s protection, and Caleb Downs’ domination—it’s a day to observe, evaluate, and dream.
For the fans in Bryant-Denny Stadium or watching from home, take notes. The first chapter of the post-Saban era begins here.
