Alabama spring game showcase for Hurts, backfield

TUSCALOOSA, ALA. >> Alabama’s offensive backfield is sporting a new look these days, even if in some ways it’s only temporary.

Coaches and teammates say quarterback Jalen Hurts has improved his dropback passing during spring practices while his freshman backups learned the offense and got acclimated to college life. Then there’s a talented group of tailbacks, half of whom are recovering from injuries and unlikely to play in Saturday’s spring game Bryant-Denny Stadium.

That left fans to get a glimpse at a future that appears about as bright as it’s ever been under coach Nick Saban at both positions. Plenty showed up, with Alabama announcing the crowd at 74,326.

Saban has said a top spring priority was to help Hurts work on his passing, where he struggled late in the season, including during the national championship game loss to Clemson.

“We have spent a tremendous amount of practice time at on it this spring,” Saban said this week. “I think he’s made progress.”

So do Hurts’ teammates, like wide receiver Calvin Ridley.

“I think it’s night and day,” Ridley said. “He’s gotten so much better. He sits in there and sometimes when I’m not in, and I look and he’s stepping up, making good throws. So, he’s gotten a lot better.”

Mid-year enrollees Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones are the only other scholarship quarterbacks on campus after a string of transfers. They’re continuing a duel for the backup job.

It’s the first time in three years that the spring game wasn’t a showcase of quarterbacks vying for the starting job. But there has been plenty of anticipation about the two freshmen, especially Tagovailoa as the nation’s toprated dual-threat quarterback according to the 247Sports composite rankings.

He and Hurts both on Saturday.

Hurts passed for 301 yards and two touchdowns, including a 65-yarder to Robert Foster. delivered