No matter if Nick Saban calls it a “rep chart,” fans of Alabama football that study rosters understand a depth chart when one is presented. Not that anyone can put Saban’s team together better than he can, but it is fun to test projection skills in terms of the Crimson Tide’s roster.
It lost a lot of talent and experience to the National Football League – as it always does – however, Alabama appears to be reloaded again and ready to push for national championship No.18 and the sixth under Saban this fall.
In doing our best here at Touchdown Alabama Magazine, here is how the two-deep rotation looks for the Tide’s offense. Tune in later this week for a special (subscriber only) feature for defense and special teams.
OFFENSIVE LINE
LT: Jonah Williams, Alex Leatherwood
LG: Lester Cotton, Joshua Casher
C: Ross Pierschbacher, Hunter Brannon/Emil Ekiyor/Tommy Brown
RG: Alex Leatherwood, Chris Owens
RT: Jedrick Wills, Scott Lashley
Summary: While Jonah Williams and Ross Pierschbacher are solidified at their respective spots, Alabama wants to have Alex Leatherwood and Jedrick Wills anchor the right side.
Lester Cotton, the most powerful lineman of the group, fits well at left guard with his blend of footwork and hand strike. Should he continue to grow in confidence, the Tuscaloosa native will start.
RUNNING BACKS
First: Damien Harris/Josh Jacobs
Second: Najee Harris/Brian Robinson
Third: Ronnie Clark/Jerome Ford
Summary: This position group is the most self-explanatory of the offense. Damien Harris is the leader and workhorse. He is one 1,000-yard season away from setting a school record, and is the most consistent of the bunch. When healthy, Josh Jacobs is Alabama’s swiss army knife.
He shows power and speed as a rusher, while possessing soft hands as a receiver and strong technique in pass protection. The junior is 100 percent healthy for the first time since his freshman season, when he totaled 567 rushing yards, 156 receiving yards and four scores.
Najee Harris and Brian Robinson are both on the rise.
Harris recorded a team-high 65 rushing yards in Alabama’s 26-23 win over Georgia in the College Football Playoff national title game and ended the season with 370 yards and three touchdowns. Robinson, on the other hand, has impressed thus far in fall camp as an all-around playmaker. He’s being patient now, but as some point he will get his chance to shine.
As for Ronnie Clark and Jerome Ford, both guys make up the rotation as fresh bodies that will see action late in games – provided if the team does not redshirt Ford.
WIDE RECEIVERS
X: Henry Ruggs III, Tyrell Shavers
Z: Devonta Smith, Derek Kief
H: Jerry Jeudy, Jaylen Waddle/Chadarius Towsend
Summary: Despite Jerry Jeudy being the marquee name in the 2017 class, Henry Ruggs III led the team in touchdowns (six) and Devonta Smith brought in two game-winning scores versus Mississippi State and Georgia. All three are projected have huge seasons and having the likes of Tyrell Shavers and Jaylen Waddle with this group means trouble defensive secondaries.
TIGHT ENDS
1st: Hale Hentges, Irv Smith Jr
2nd: Kedrick James, Miller Forristall
Third: Major Tennison
Summary: While most people do not talk enough about this unit, the tight end position is arguably Alabama’s deepest one on offense. The trio of Hale Hentges, Irv Smith Jr and Miller Forristall all return as experienced players. Hentges fits the realm of a blocker that will catch a touchdown pass or two. Forristall and Smith are more athletic pass catchers, who will also see time at H-back more than likely. Kedrick James is starting to grow as the freakish athlete of the group. He’s turned in a strong fall camp, coupled with some huge plays in two scrimmages.
When you look at Major Tennison, he’s a big-time talent at 6’5” and 246 pounds.
A four-star prospect from Texas, he stepped up in the absence of Forristall last season and made a couple of nice receptions. As he continues to develop into being a complete player, the sophomore will be very special soon.
QUARTERBACKS
1st: Jalen Hurts/Tua Tagovailoa
2nd: Mac Jones
3rd: Layne Hatcher
Summary: This position was strategically placed last for a reason.
Sophomore Tua Tagovailoa is the popular name and the guy everyone anticipates starting against Louisville in week one. No one doubts the extraordinary talent and potential he has; however, Jalen Hurts enters his junior season as the typical quarterback Saban likes.
Per sources from the second scrimmage, Hurts played “substantially better” and displayed confidence in stretching passes downfield. Both guys have different skill sets, yet the two are successful nonetheless. Saban usually goes with the veteran in this situation but after playing Hurts in the 2016 meeting against USC (freshman), it will be interesting to see how it plays out.
He’s the third name in the race, but Mac Jones was all summer long.
After posting an MVP-caliber performance in the A-Day game, Jones has followed efforts by adding weight to his frame and continuing to grow as a player. He exudes confidence and his mannerisms after scoring drives resembles those of former Tide quarterback, AJ McCarron.
Layne Hatcher, a signal-caller in the 2018 class, is the new guy in town.
He has a prior connection with Alabama’s quarterbacks coach Dan Enos, seeing how the two were at Arkansas before coming to Tuscaloosa. Hatcher throws a tight spiral, but his job will be studying the system as he is the fourth scholarship man on the roster.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
