AM LEAVING: Domani Jackson threaten to leave Alabama Crimson Tide if nothing is done about this!

AM LEAVING: Domani Jackson threaten to leave Alabama Crimson Tide if nothing is done about this!

“A lot of times, it’s within that unit,” DeBoer said. “You’re going to have your punters (hold) a lot of times. I thought Blake (Doud) did a nice job today. Anderson (Green) does a nice job too. A lot of times, because they’re together so much, as long as they can do it, that familiarity, that consistency with all the reps they take each and every day, that’s the starting point for us.”

But there’s always the possibility someone else could hold who isn’t a punter. During Nick Saban’s tenure as coach of the Crimson Tide, quarterbacks such as Mac Jones, Tua Tagovailoa and AJ McCarron also worked as holders.

“I always like to at some point get a quarterback involved or some skill guy,” DeBoer said. “That puts a little pressure on the other team when you know you’ve got that ability there to have a playmaker holding the football. We’ll see as we go through the fall.”

Alabama held its first of 20 preseason practices on Wednesday. The Crimson Tide will start its season Aug. 30 against Florida State.

Doud, who transferred from Colorado School of Mines, is one of the punters in competition for the opening left by Burnip. Alex Asparuhov is another.

“The punter position (competition) is probably the one that is the most open,” DeBoer said.

“Blake in particular had some reps this spring, but still growing and getting stronger,” DeBoer said. “Those two guys competing. Alex is now physically in a better spot too. His progress is I guess better than expected from a physical standpoint just being able to go out there and do it. I’m excited about the competition those two will bring. I know the ceiling for them, they’ve got some pretty high ceilings. I’m expecting some big things from them.”

It remains to be seen whether one of those two players will also emerge as the holder.