Spring practice begins in a few weeks for Alabama football.
Crimson Tide fans are ready to see their team make a return to the College Football Playoff National Championship stage, but the work starts in March and April. Nick Saban has graduated a lot of experience to the NFL Draft, but the Tide has retooled its deck of players and coaches.
The staff at Touchdown Alabama Magazine is getting everyone prepared for spring football with a new series.
We will be highlighting early spring positions battles and which players will earn starting roles. After a breakdown of the safety position, we now transition to the offense. We dissect who takes the second tight end spot behind Cameron Latu for spring ball.
Latu finished 2021 with 26 catches for 410 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. He set the Crimson Tide’s record for touchdown receptions by a tight end, surpassing Irv Smith’s mark of seven from 2018. Latu is back to improve his status for the 2023 NFL Draft.
Robbie Ouzts
Robbie Ouzts arrived in the 2021 class as a three-star from South Carolina.
He caught 43 passes for 619 yards in his tenure at Rock Hill High School, but Ouzts excelled as a short-yard fullback in the red zone for the Crimson Tide. He blocked for Brian Robinson and others to score rushing touchdowns. Ouzts was becoming an unsung hero for the team before sustaining a foot injury. He caught one pass for eight yards versus New Mexico State.
The 6-foot-4, 260-pounder is a good route runner with soft hands. Ouzts can be effective in the passing game, but he is a much better blocker. Cameron Latu raved about his physicality, but spring practice will show how much better Ouzts has gotten in the receiving game.
Major Tennison
Major Tennison is in his sixth season at Alabama.
He enrolled early as a four-star from Texas in the 2017 recruiting class. Tennison has three SEC Championships and two College Football Playoff National Championships, but he has not produced much. He’s played in 35 career games, but Tennison does not have the numbers to show for it. He has been hidden behind Miller Forristall, Irv Smith, and Jahleel Billingsley in his career.
The 6-foot-5, 252-pounder has the talent, but will spring ball present him with a chance?
We will see.
Elijah Brown
Elijah Brown will complement Latu at tight end if Oustz does not win the second spot.
Brown is an early enrollee from Dayton, Ohio. He is a good blocker and receiver. The 6-foot-5, 230-pounder caught 30 passes for 278 yards receiving and one touchdown at Wayne High School in his junior year. He also blocked for 1,754 rushing yards on 277 carries. Brown is physical at the attack point, but he can also run routes and create plays in the passing game. He enrolled early to position himself as the tight end behind Latu. Spring practice allows him an opportunity to win the spot over Tennison and Oustz.
Related Stories
Alabama backup quarterback battle
Alabama starting running back competition
Alabama defensive tackle competition
Alabama defensive end competition
Alabama inside linebacker competition
Helpers for Alabama in outside linebacker room
Alabama outside cornerbacks competition
Helpers for Alabama in nickel and dime for secondary
Helpers for Alabama in the safety room
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber-only content!*
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.
