Jumbo Package: Saban is Digging Trevon’s play

Happy Friday, everyone.

We will open with the latest practice video.

Great stuff. As an aside, I may be related to a certain rising junior who was selected for one of only three student positions on the football marketing team for this year, who will be contributing to the official photo/video content. #humblebrag

We have reached the point of camp where Saban runs off the beat writers after about ten minutes, so don’t expect too much in terms of practice information. There was one interesting nugget from yesterday, though.

-- Patrick Surtain II was working at Star with the first-team in a nickel package while Shyheim Carter was at safety with the reserves in a similar alignment.

This is an interesting development. Saban specifically praised Trevon Diggs and Xavier McKinney for their work thus far, not mentioning Shyheim Carter who has reportedly been intercepting everybody. He also mentioned that he’s concerned about a few breakdowns where ten guys are on the same page and one isn’t, which will obviously be the concern with a completely retooled secondary. Might Carter moving to second team safety mean that he’s one of those guys who excels in individual work but struggles to function in the defense? It could also be that Carter is indeed the burgeoning star of the group and is receiving the Minkah cross training so that he can move from star to money in the dime defense. Saban typically likes to have a safety in that spot since they tend to play a lot of shell coverage on third and long to force things underneath. In any event, it certainly sounds like Surtain is getting the opportunity to assert himself, which is exciting.

The OL is still experimenting some, with Alex Leatherwood moving between right guard and right tackle while Jedrick Wills and Deontre Brown seem to be competing for one opening. Saban also mentioned that he is very pleased thus far with the punt returners and credited Jeff Banks. Word is that Diggs is excelling there as well, and Jaylen Waddle is already carving out a role.

Full video of the press conference below.

Moving on, the other big topic of the day is “The Crimson Standard,” as Greg Byrne has named the facilities improvement plan.

So, did he have a big hand in how the Bryant-Denny Stadium renovations were planned?

”Not really,” Saban said. “I think it goes the other way a little more.”

There are people with more expertise in these kinds of things, Saban said.

”Those people do the research,” he said, “they do the planning and then they come and ask me do I think that’s a good thing, bad thing, is there something else we could do better.”

Saban may not have designed the place, but his $1 million leadership donation will certainly help it come to fruition.

Coach Josh Gattis seems to have received it well.

That Gattis tweet includes a video rendering of the renovated Bryant-Denny for those who haven’t seen it.

Faceplant alert!

and here are good old Jonathan Allen and Da’Ron Payne meeting at the QB.

It’s like a family reunion. Feels like 2016 all over again, eh Sam?

Last, um...

Why is a school in Indiana paying homage to the Yankees? Are they angling for a bid in the prestigious Pinstripe Bowl?

That’s about it for today. Have a great weekend.

Roll Tide.