Five Highlights of Alabama Football's Unusual A-Day 2025

The Crimson Tide went through a number of exercises, some 11-on-11, some more controlled. Precision players had an opportunity to show off, even though the structure did not encourage big hits, highlight-reel runs, or quarterback sacks. Those who are skilled in technique, elegance, and field awareness were able to show off their abilities in front of coaches and fans without the mayhem of full contact.

This meant that ball-carriers and trench warriors had to take a backseat. But for quarterbacks, defensive backs, and receivers? They used this as a playground.

The following five athletes attracted attention on Saturday:

1. Lotzeir Brooks, a true freshman wide receiver

Brooks cuts through routes like a scalpel, not just running them. The rookie wideout, who enrolled early, looks perfect for the position because of his exceptional balance and quick feet. Brooks always found daylight, even in drills with limited coverage.

He violently slashed the inside of nickelback DaShawn Jones on one rep. The distance the ball traveled was too far for a diving Brooks, but there was no denying the separation he produced. Keelon Russell later hit him in stride up the middle for a touchdown during a red-zone drill.

It is obvious that Brooks will not require much training to play in 2025. He is already making his presence inevitable in a packed receiver room.

2. CB Dijon Lee (Real Freshman)

Lee has filled in opposite Zabien Brown since Domani Jackson was injured this spring, and he has not looked out of place.

Lee, who is six feet four, adds ridiculous length to the boundary corner position. However, his cool eyes and responsive hips were the main attraction. After matching up with seasoned Germie Bernard in one-on-ones, Lee stayed tight to the route and intercepted a possible touchdown pass from Ty Simpson.

The freshman's combination of size, instincts, and tenacity shouts future starters, although he was later caught being a little too aggressive on a deep pass (more on that in a moment).

3. Miami Transfer WR Isaiah Horton

The play of the day was this one.

The pass on a trick-play deep shot appeared to be doomed. The ball drifted long enough for safety Bray Hubbard and Lee, two defenders, to come together and almost bump into each other. However, as calm as a jazz soloist, Horton never lost sight of the goal.

In what may have been the afternoon's greatest athletic display, he high-pointed the ball through traffic, pulled it in, and coasted into the end zone.

Horton's potential was encapsulated at that moment: a seasoned presence with the poise and agility to turn missed plays into highlights.

4. DB (True Freshman) Ivan Taylor

Taylor has a long family history, and genetics cannot be controlled.

Ivan, the son of veteran Steelers CB Ike Taylor, made an immediate impression. He fielded a punt-like interception after undercutting a route during the day's first deep-ball drill. He later pursued and brought in another of Russell's misfired passes in 11-on-11 play.

In a single practice, two picks? That is maturity beyond his years and expectation, not just performance.

Although Taylor is playing like a freshman and does not intend to sit quietly behind the veterans, the Tide's secondary appears to be strong.

5. Ty Simpson, junior quarterback

Simpson stood out in a workout with little flamboyance for the straightforward reason that he played clean football.

No spectacular throws. No mistakes that changed the game.Keelon Russell and Austin Mack both made interceptions, but Simpson made quick decisions, kept the offense under control, and never seemed unsettled.

That was enough to distinguish him.

No starter has been announced, and it is still early. However, Simpson's solid hand put him in the middle of things on a day when every throw was scrutinized.

Conclusion:
A New Age, A New Feel A-Even if Day 2025 did not provide the spectacle that fans have come to expect, it did provide us a better understanding of how this team is being reconstructed under the new management.

Playmakers, poise, and accuracy were notable. The murmurs of possibility were obvious and strong, even though the crowd's shout was quieter.