If it had been a normal game -- and if quarterbacks weren't in black non-contact jerseys -- Christian Miller would have finished Alabama's scrimmage on Saturday with three or four sacks.

The redshirt junior outside linebacker was one of the standout performers during the scrimmage, creating consistent pressure as a pass rusher and looking like someone ready to have a very productive season.

"He's doing a good job and had a lot of production points in the scrimmage," coach Nick Saban said. "So we're really happy with his progress."

What makes Miller's performance on Saturday even more impressive is that he's still in the process of working back to 100 percent health-wise after undergoing sports hernia surgery in late April.

Miller, who is competing for a starting job at outside linebacker job, had a lot of success even matched up against standout sophomore left tackle Jonah Williams.

Miller's top play from the scrimmage was a strip-sack of Jalen Hurts after beating Williams around the edge.

"I think I played well," Miller said. "I feel like if I can just keep building off of how I played, I should be pretty good."

The 6-foot-4, 240-pound South Carolina native has put on 30 pounds since arriving at Alabama in 2014 and remains one of the Tide's fastest and most athletic linebackers.

Miller, who posted 16 tackles and two sacks as a reserve last season, ran the 40-yard dash in 4.69 seconds during the spring despite being limited by the sports hernia while also posting one of the top vertical jumps on the team (35 inches).

That athleticism is part of what makes him so tough to deal with as a pass rusher and capable of creating havoc like he did on Saturday.

"I feel I'm right on track," Miller said. "I've got the weight, strength, speed and a lot more confidence now that I know everything. I'd probably say I'm just where I feel like I should be, and I'm excited to get started."