People want to be assured that Bryce Young will take Alabama to a national championship; however, the quarterback position is not the biggest issue for the Crimson Tide.
Nick Saban has a surplus of running backs and wide receivers, while the Tide also has athletic tight ends.
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Defensively, Alabama is expected to be elite — especially with the return of veteran players.
The lone cause for concern in its journey to repeat as national champions is the offensive line. After losing three leaders to the NFL Draft, Saban has to locate the best five players in fall camp.
Fortunately, the Tide does return three starters in Chris Owens, Evan Neal, and Emil Ekiyor.
It is firm at left tackle, center, and right guard, but two starting jobs remain.
Alabama needs to lock down a left guard and right tackles, and it does have options. Tommy Brown started at guard throughout spring practice. Listed at 6-foot-7 and 320 pounds, the redshirt junior works well inside. He has played in 18 career games, including 10 last season.
His size projects him as a tackle; nevertheless, we saw Neal and Alex Leatherwood start as guards.
Javion Cohen and Damieon George Jr. both carry the size and technique at guard. Cohen has the potential to be an exceptional run-blocker, while George can run-block and pass-protect.
Pierce Quick has the toughness for either guard or tackle.
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An injury in 2020 prevented him from playing on A-Day. He was the first player to commit in the 2019 class and has played in seven career games.
According to sources connected to Quick, the redshirt sophomore loves to embarrass people on the field.
Kendall Randolph, a member of the 2017 signing class, is entering his fifth year. He has played in 26 career games (13 last year) with six starts in 2020. A native of Madison, Ala., Randolph has proven to be a solid in-line blocking tight end and a productive offensive lineman. Coach Saban loves experienced players and having Randolph at right tackle would provide an anchor.
Lastly, the Tide has two true freshmen — JC Latham and Tommy Brockermeyer — it is looking at.
Both arrived as five-star athletes in this signing class. Latham and Brockermeyer are imposing and have much potential.
The chemistry Alabama had upfront in 2020 allowed the offense to average 48.5 points per game and produced some individual awards for players. Mac Jones, Najee Harris, and DeVonta Smith received the highest collegiate honor at their positions because of the offensive front.
All three achieved All-American honors, and Smith became the first wide receiver in school history to capture the Heisman Memorial Trophy.
The 2020 offensive line also took home the Joe Moore Award for best unit.
Saban wants to repeat this honor, but he has to find his starting five.
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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.
