The depth chart has arrived for Alabama football’s season opener against Western Kentucky.
Kalen DeBoer begins his era at Bryant-Denny Stadium as the Crimson Tide’s head coach.
RELATED: LOOK: Alabama’s week one depth chart for WKU matchup is here
Several things stand out in the depth chart, but we bring you the top five most interesting aspects here.
1. Keon Keeley, a former five-star edge rusher, is not listed
– Jah-Marien Latham and LT Overton are the players listed at “Bandit” on the roster.
-Keeley, a member from Alabama’s 2023 recruiting class from Tampa, Fla., should get reps but is not listed on the week one depth chart.
2. Alabama is set to play four tight ends vs. WKU
-Alabama has the Y-position and H-position at tight end. CJ Dippre and Danny Lewis are at Y, while Robbie Ouzts and Josh Cuevas are at H. The Y position can be on the inline blocking or stretched wide as a receiver.
-The H position can be an H-back blocker, but it is also used in the passing game.
3. Jihaad Campbell is starting at middle “Mike” linebacker
-Jihaad Campbell excelled at communication so much in fall camp that Kane Wommack has him as the starting middle linebacker versus Western Kentucky. Deontae Lawson is the starting “Sting” linebacker, while Justin Jefferson is the backup Mike.
4. Ryan Williams is No. 2 behind Kendrick Law as X receiver
-We are going to see a lot of Ryan Williams today.
-The former five-star is behind Kendrick Law as the No. 2 X receiver for Alabama. Coach DeBoer said the Tide would rotate five to seven receivers and the group is Law, Kobe Prentice, Germie Bernard, Williams, Emmanuel Henderson Jr., and Cole Adams.
5. Roq Montgomery is Alabama’s backup center
-Montgomery, a product of Anniston (Ala.) High School, has emerged as the No. 2 center behind Parker Brailsford.
Additional takeaway
Alabama only has 10 defensive positions listed as the second cornerback spot got left off.
Maybe, it was strategically done. Domani Jackson has been the leading cornerback throughout camp.
Zabien Brown, a freshman, was listed as the other corner.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
