Alabama passed the midway point of spring practice as it held its first scrimmage in Bryant-Denny Stadium on a gorgeous afternoon that later turned rainy. Here are our observations from the brief viewing period:

Henry Ruggs III was not with the rest of the wide receivers during drills before the scrimmage. According to reports, he went back home to Montgomery to attend his cousin’s funeral. The receivers were in four lines, catching off-target passes thrown by assistants. The first line was DeVonta Smith, Jerry Jeudy, Jaylen Waddle and Tyrell Shavers. The second line consisted of early enrollee John Metchie, Mac Hereford, Xavier Williams and Slade Bolden.

Miller Forristall and Major Tennison led the tight ends as they honed footwork approaching a blocking dummy. Giles Amos and converted linebacker Cameron Latu were next. Tight ends coach Jeff Banks complimented Latu once during the viewing period, but on his next rep he told the redshirt freshman to keep his second step shorter.

The inside linebacker lines remained unchanged as Dylan Moses and Joshua McMillon were the first group through coverage and tackling drills. Defensive coordinator and ILBs coach Pete Golding had them simulate dropping back into coverage, then shouted “Drive!” as they quickly changed direction to catch his pass. A few minutes the group worked on keeping their eyes up as they approach ball carriers.

Def. coordinator and ILBs coach Pete Golding got in his players' faces, reminding them to keep their eyes up as they make tackles. pic.twitter.com/pM0MNziqCh

— James Ogletree (@TheOgletree) March 30, 2019

The defensive backs again paired up, mixing corners with safeties. Shyheim Carter, still in a black non-contact jersey, was with Xavier McKinney at the front of the line.

We’ll be back later with some updates from the scrimmage itself.