The first week of August is three-of-this, five-of-that season in college football journalism.

Somehow, every list seems to fit into a perfectly square and predictable number of issues. Of course, that's not the reality.

There are more than three or five questions or storylines facing Alabama or any other program as preseason camp begins. We'll take a more of a wide sweeping look (in no particular order) at the issues facing the Crimson Tide over the next few weeks leading up to the Sept. 1 opener with Louisville in Orlando.

1. Will Jerry Jeudy be the next Amari Cooper/Calvin Ridley?

Jeudy came to Alabama with some of the same hype that followed Calvin Ridley and Amari Cooper. The latest import from South Florida overlapped with Ridley, something that didn't happen with the handoff with Cooper. That could explain why Jeudy's 264 receiving yards didn't hit the level of Ridley's 1,045 in 2015 as a rookie or Cooper's 1,000 in 2012.

That said, Ridley and his 63 catches last year is no longer in the picture. Jeudy has flashed the ability to be the next marquee receiver in an offense that could have more pop in the passing game.

2. Where does Patrick Surtain II fit in?

Speaking of South Florida, cornerback Patrick Surtain II is the big name who made the move to Tuscaloosa this summer. The top-ranked cornerback is arguably the prize of the last recruiting class who steps into a secondary that lost its two starting cornerbacks.

Early enrollment would have given a better indication of where things stood after spring practice. It also would've given the NFL legacy that crucial baseline knowledge of what it takes to play in the secondary on a Nick Saban defense. So, that makes August a fascinating time for a player with can't-miss credentials who seemingly only lacks experience.

3. How far did Saivion Smith come over the summer?

Another top candidate to start at corner is former LSU Tiger Saivion Smith, who transferred in from junior college before spring. His age and experience are a built-in boost for the young secondary replacing practically the entire starting lineup. Nick Saban in spring said Smith was still getting acclimated to Alabama's defensive system but started across from Treyvon Diggs on A-Day.

4. How much more opportunity will Najee Harris get in Year 2.

It was clear the former five-star running back wanted more of a role on Alabama's 2017 national title team. His 370 rushing yards on 61 attempts ranked third among running backs in the Tide backfield. No. 2 Bo Scarbrough (124 carries, 596 yards) is out of the equation that didn't add anyone who wasn't around last year.

Had Damien Harris left early for the NFL, it would have been an obvious promotion to featured territory for the sophomore from the Bay Area. Any lack of carries last year for Najee Harris could be chalked up more to the crowded depth chart more than production. With one fewer mouth to feed, it would make sense to see more of the hurdling running back from the West Coast.

5. No pressure, Skyler DeLong.

The 6-foot-4 freshman from South Carolina only has to fill the shoes of JK Scott, the two-time Ray Guy Award finalist and arguably the best punter in Alabama history.

6. How healthy is Anfernee Jennings?

The major knee injury to Alabama's starting outside linebacker occurred in the closing moments of the relatively comfortable win over Clemson in the Sugar Bowl. It turned out to be quite serious, though the redshirt junior said he's good to go eight months later. Given the depth issues presented by Terrell Lewis' offseason ACL tear, Jennings ability to play to that Sugar Bowl level will be even more of a factor for a positional group ravaged by injury in 2017.

7. What about Eyabi Anoma?

Like Surtain II, Anoma was a top-end five-star recruit who wasn't in school for spring practice. The 6-foot-5, 245-pound outside from linebacker from Baltimore is certainly intriguing given the issues laid out in the previous paragraph.

Unlike Surtain II, he isn't named after a former NFL star father. In fact, Anoma has only been playing football two years so the talent is still pretty raw. It didn't keep him from a top-five overall ranking in the Class of 2018. How will all of that translate to a complex Alabama defense? That could be among the most interesting questions facing this team because he has the talent and potential to be a special player at Alabama.

8. Tyrell Shavers is an intriguing possibility at WR

You can't teach 6-foot-6. Tyrell Shavers has that envious size and a touch of mystery after redshirting as a true freshman last fall. He was getting some buzz in spring practice before going down with an injury two weeks before A-Day, but he could be a name to watch in the effort to replace Ridley.

9. Jaylen Waddle, meanwhile ...

On the other end of the spectrum is Jaylen Waddle. The freshman and summer enrollee is that 5-foot-10 slot receiver Alabama hasn't seen the last few seasons. New England made stars out of slot guys like Danny Amendola, Julian Edelman or Deion Branch. Waddle comes to Alabama from Texas with all the credentials to be a change of pace receiver that has been missing.

10. Who will be the quarterback?

Good question.

11. Is Josh Jacobs the forgotten running back?

Granted, we are guilty as anyone already mentioning Najee Harris on this list. But the junior running back who came from recruiting obscurity to become as effective as any running back at Alabama when he's healthy. Jacobs was dangerous catching the ball in mismatch situations against linebackers.

Finding creative ways to distribute production between Damien Harris, Najee Harris and Jacobs could be among the bigger (but most welcomed) challenges for first-year offensive coordinator Mike Locksley.

12. Who fills in behind Mack Wilson and Dylan Moses at middle linebacker?

That's a solid starting two for middle linebackers. Both were big-time recruits who have lived up to the hype. But who's next in line? Keith Holcombe isn't an option since the Hillcrest graduate is focusing on baseball now. Markail Benton redshirted his freshman year and Joshua McMillan has played sparingly in his three years at Alabama.

Jaylen Moody was the only signee at the position as a player who didn't come onto the radar until the closing days of the recruiting cycle. Given the Wilson and Moses both missed time with injuries last year, development of depth couldn't be more important than right here at middle linebacker.

13. The kicking adventure.

There's no denying it. Kicking has been a white-knuckle ride for almost Saban's entire time at Alabama. The good news for the Tide is redshirt freshman Joseph Bulovas had a strong spring, from all accounts.

Temple transfer Austin Jones enters the mix after arriving over the summer. There aren't many grad transfer kickers out there, so he came to Tuscaloosa with every intention of winning the job. He was 50 for 67 kicking field goals at Temple and once made 19 straight. It's not the competition that's stealing the summer headlines, but it's one that could make the difference in a key moment.

14. What's up with the offensive line?

It was more porous than one would have assumed in spring practice considering only one starter graduated. With the talent in the backfield -- both rushing and passing -- a fall that mirrors the spring for the linemen would be a considerable hurdle in a repeat bid.

15. New coordinators taking over.

Mike Locksley has experience as an offensive coordinator while Tosh Lupoi steps into the leadership role on the defensive side for the first time with some serious work to do on the secondary.

16. Who are we missing?

It's not unheard of for someone to come out of relative obscurity to grab a major role on Alabama's roster. Not many could've seen Levi Wallace starting at cornerback in 2017 a year earlier. DeVonta Smith probably wasn't the championship-game hero receiver you would've penciled in last August.

That kind of unknown is what makes this time of year interesting even for a team that seems to operate with assembly-line efficiency.

Michael Casagrande is an Alabama beat writer for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or on Facebook.