The first of two Nick Saban news conferences in a 17-hour span came and went without a single quarterback question. Stay tuned for Saturday's media day briefing that figures to be longer than the nine minutes he spent at the podium Friday evening.

Anyway, other matters were worth exploring in the moments after Alabama completed its first official practice of the 2018 preseason training camp. Among those other concerns: depth at middle linebacker.

Mack Wilson and Dylan Moses are the obvious starters with little experience behind them. Saban said he thinks those two "will do extremely well."

It's a matter of who comes in next.

Saban said they tried to add somebody new to the position after signing just one freshman -- Jaylen Moody -- to that position in February. It didn't help when senior-to-be Keith Holcombe decided to focus on baseball.

"We need Markail Benton to mature and develop and not be one of those guys that's always looking for an easy way," Saban said.

Benton, a Phenix City product, was a redshirt freshman last season. Veterans Shaun Dion Hamilton and Rashaan Evans were observed a few times in practice helping the young player ranked among the best middle linebackers in the country as a senior.

Saban also mentioned redshirt junior Josh McMillion as someone with "experience and toughness."

The coach also named two guys who have been primarily outside linebackers to this point. Sophomore Christopher Allen and Christian Miller have been getting a look at middle linebacker, Saban said Friday.

Moody, the lone freshman, remains young and "has to develop some confidence and knowing what to do."

Asked later about Mack Wilson's ability to lead, Saban offered some insight into that dynamic.

"I think that remains to be seen," Saban said. "I think there's quite a bit of responsibility that goes with being a leader. I think you have to have a lot of maturity, got to have a lot of mental toughness, got to have a lot of discipline, got to set a good a good example, got to care about other people. I think Mack has the potential to do all those things and I think he's made progress in doing it."

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