TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — If it seems like spring practices have been going on for a long time at the University of Alabama, they have.

The first workout was held before spring break, more than a month ago. More important for the Crimson Tide is that it’s been a relatively quiet spring.

Some of it has to do with all the news with the basketball team, including Avery Johnson’s departure and the hiring of Nate Oats, plus there’s been no quarterback competition overshadowing the team.

There have been no incidents, no major injuries and seemingly no transition issues with the seven new additions on the coaching staff.

But there have been some rising talents, some of whom have positioned themselves to make an impact during the 2019 season.

Here’s five fans should keep an eye on during Saturday’s A-Day Game at Bryant-Denny Stadium (1 p.m., ESPN2).

1] No. 94 DJ Dale

You don’t see too many early enrollees make a big splash in the spring, but Dale is already in the mix to be the starting nose tackle. Redshirt sophomore Phidarian Mathis got the first look at trying and fill the void left by Quinnen Williams, but is more of a natural end. “He’s a hard-working kid. He came in just grinding,” senior defensive end Raekwon Davis said about Dale, who is listed as 6-3, 314 pounds. “He plays just like Da’Ron Payne.”When asked if he told that to Dale, Davis said yes, “He just laughs. He tells me he’s going to be better that Da’Ron.”

2] No. 9 Eyabi Anoma

In the span of a couple of months, Anoma has gone from considering a transfer due to lack of playing time to filling in for injured linebacker Terrell Lewis at strongside linebacker this spring and looking like he could be getting a lot of playing time in the fall.Both his teammates and Saban say they see a different player. “He's doing a good job,” Saban said. “He's working hard. He's learning a lot. I think he's responding very well to Sal [Sunseri] with Sal coaching him. He's doing much better in school. Being responsible and trying to do the right things and respond to people the right way. He's certainly making a very positive contribution to the defense. I certainly think that's our expectation for him and if he continues this way I'm sure he's going to make a huge impact.”

3] No. 73 Evan Neal

Listed as 6-7, 360 pounds, Neal is reminding Alabama fans of when DJ Fluker first arrived. There’s a lot for him to learn and get down, but if he continues to develop the early enrollee might force the coaches to put him in at left guard. “I think I’ve been really pleased with some of the young players that we have,” Saban said about the offensive line. “They’ve got to develop probably more consistency in what they’re doing, but I feel pretty good about that group and I feel good about the progress they’ve made. And I think the transition to Coach [Kyle] Flood has been seamless and seems to be working really well.”

4] No. 28 Josh Jobe

The sophomore has worked his way up to being third among the cornerbacks, and taken some first-team reps with both Trevon Diggs and Patrick Surtain II getting some work at star (the extra defensive back in the nickel formation). At 6-1, 186 pounds he looks a little like Anthony Averett when he played with the Crimson Tide, but is physical. “I’ve seen a lot of improvement from him,” Diggs said. ​📷​

5] No. 27 Jerome Ford and No. 3 John Metchie

Ford is a redshirt freshman running back and Metchie is an early-enrollee wide receiver. Saban said both have shown "flashes" this spring, especially during the scrimmages. With Alabama dividing the roster into two teams for A-Day they’re going to get opportunities to impress their head coach even more.Barring a lot of injuries neither is going to start this season, but they've taken steps toward being contributors.“With Metchie and al the guys who came early, it’s exciting to see someone come in straight out of high school like that, and adapt this quick, be able to read the playbook and things like that,” junior wide receiver DeVonta Smith said.