Alabama had the second of its two preseason scrimmages on Saturday.
While the scrimmage was closed to the media, here are some notes and takeaways based on information gathered via sources:
— Word is it was another nice scrimmage for Mac Jones, who is “way ahead” in the competition for Alabama’s backup quarterback job according to Nick Saban. Overall, it’s been a positive preseason for the redshirt sophomore. “He knows the offense,” Saban said. “He’s really smart. He makes good decisions for the most part. The big thing we’ve been trying to get him to do is when he doesn’t make a good play, don’t hang on to it, go to the next play. He’s done a much better job of that. He’s been very productive in both scrimmages we’ve had. He really has.”
— With Josh McMillon injured, freshman Christian Harris has emerged as the clear leader in the competition for the inside linebacker spot next to Dylan Moses. Like Moses, Harris played at University Lab High School in Baton Rouge. And like Moses, the 6-foot-2, 245-pound Harris has big-time athleticism, enough so that he was a cornerback, slot receiver and kick returner in high school. Harris got the start at that second inside linebacker position on Saturday, got the majority of the first-team reps there and had a big hit at one point during the scrimmage. “There’s still competition at that position,” Saban said, “but he’s a guy that has made plays throughout fall camp so far that we’re hopeful will be able to continue to improve and develop and play like a starter.”
— Freshman kicker Will Reichard was again on point on field goals. After going 4 for 4 on field goals in the team’s first scrimmage, word is Reichard had at least a few makes on Saturday while only missing once, which was on a longer attempt of about 50 yards.
— Tua Tagovailoa and Jerry Jeudy connected for a long touchdown on one of the first plays of the scrimmage while working against the second-team defense. They beat freshman cornerback Scooby Carter.
— It sounds like Chris Owens and Florida State graduate transfer Landon Dickerson both got reps at center with the first-team offense. Dickerson, a 6-foot-6, 310-pound redshirt junior, seems to have some momentum in that competition. “I think Landon Dickerson has done a really good job,” Saban said last week. “He’s really tough. He’s a very physical player. Very smart.”
— Freshman safety Jordan Battle has been impressing since arriving at Alabama this summer and had an interception Saturday. Battle worked with the second-team defense during the scrimmage. The Fort Lauderdale, Florida native was the No. 2 safety and No. 43 overall player in this year’s recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. Sophomore safety Eddie Smith had one of the other interceptions Saturday.
Matt Zenitz is an Alabama and Auburn reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @mzenitz.