Spring football is over for the University of Alabama, but several players stepped up in practice.
Coach Nick Saban is not satisfied with where the team is, but he is pleased with the growth of the players. The Crimson Tide is expected to be the preseason No. 1 team in college football for several media sites as summer rolls in soon. After a strong A-Day Game, here is a projected depth chart for Alabama for the fall.
These projections do include freshmen and transfers coming in during the summer.
Offense
Quarterback 1: Bryce Young
Quarterback 2: Jalen Milroe
Quarterback 3: Ty Simpson
Summary: Bryce Young returns as Alabama’s offensive leader and the reigning Heisman Trophy winner. He set the Crimson Tide’s single-season school record for passing yards (4,872), touchdown passes (47), and total touchdowns (50) in 2021.
Young earned a host of individual accolades and nearly delivered the Tide a College Football Playoff National Championship as a starter. He is back to secure a national title as a junior. The 6-foot, 194-pounder has another season with Bill O’Brien to make this the most dynamic offense in the sport.
Young has a couple of things to improve upon, but he’s taken a bigger leadership role to do it.
Jalen Milroe, a sophomore, secured himself as the primary backup quarterback with a good A-Day.
He displayed improvement as a passer and possesses the athleticism to make plays as a runner.
Alabama will use him in packages this season, but the goal is to have Milroe ready to start in 2023.
Ty Simpson, a freshman, impressed fans with his arms and legs in spring practice. He has nice zip on the ball and brings accuracy to the table. His dual-threat capabilities make him exciting for the future.
Simpson needs to add more weight to his frame and get more acclimated to the playbook, the 6-foot-2 signal-caller has some elite traits in his game.
Running Back 1: Jahmyr Gibbs
Running Back 2: Jase McClellan
Rest of RB rotation: Trey Sanders, Roydell Williams, Jamarion Miller, Emmanuel Henderson
Summary: Nick Saban likes what Alabama has in its running back room, but Jahmyr Gibbs is the starter. He brings over explosive speed, cuts, vision, contact balance, versatility, and acceleration from Georgia Tech. Gibbs totaled 1,800 all-purpose yards and seven touchdowns in 2021 with the Yellow Jackets. He dominated spring practice and earned Dixie Howell Most Valuable Player honors on A-Day.
Gibbs totaled 100 yards rushing on nine attempts, including a 75-yard touchdown run. He averaged 11.1 yards per carry and brings Alabama an element it has not had since Kenyan Drake. Jase McClellan is the perfect complement to Gibbs at the position.
He did everything for Alabama’s offense before getting hurt against Ole Miss. McClellan will be healthy for summer workouts and preseason camp.
The native Texan possesses speed, power, versatility as a receiver, vision, toughness, and explosiveness.
Trey Sanders, Roydell Williams, Jamarion Miller, and Emmanuel Henderson will get opportunities.
Sanders and Williams could be used as third-down backs or goal-line rushers. Both have the physicality to get tough yardage, and Williams can catch out the backfield. He has gotten bigger during the offseason.
Miller and Henderson could be redshirted as freshmen, especially with the Tide having four experienced backs. Should an injury occur, both will be ready to step in and contribute.
Wide Receiver 1: Jermaine Burton
Wide Receiver 2: Christian Leary
Wide Receiver 3: Ja’Corey Brooks
Other receivers in rotation: Traeshon Holden, JoJo Earle, Thaiu Jones-Bell, Aaron Anderson, Kendrick Law, Isaiah Bond, Kobe Prentice, Shazz Preston
Summary: Jermaine Burton quickly established chemistry with Bryce Young in spring practice.
After seeing what Jameson Williams did in one season, Burton is set to step in as receiver No. 1.
He brings experience coming from Georgia with 53 catches for 901 yards and eight touchdowns in two years. The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder has explosive speed, hands, routes, and separate off the line.
Christian Leary added his name to the starting receiver list with his A-Day performance. He caught five passes for 106 yards, including a 52-yard touchdown from Jalen Milroe. Leary has improved his routes and hands to pair with his acceleration.
He served as an emergency running back in 2021, but now he’s focused on becoming an impactful receiver.
Players such as Traeshon Holden, JoJo Earle, Thiau Jones-Bell, Aaron Anderson, Kendrick Law, Isaiah Bond, Kobe Prentice, and Shazz Preston will be worked into the rotation. Holden and Eagle have game experience from last season. Anderson and Law looked great in the spring. If Tyler Harrell, a transfer from Louisville comes in, he will factor in the mix too.
Tight End 1: Cameron Latu
Tight End 2: Robbie Ouzts
Other tight ends in rotation: Elijah Brown, Amari Niblack, Danny Lewis Jr.
Summary: Cameron Latu returns as the leader of the tight end room. He caught eight touchdowns in 2021 and is ready for more. Latu is a strong receiving and blocking tight end.
Robbie Ouzts is an exceptional blocker, but it was encouraging to see him catch passes in spring practice. He can run routes and get open against defenses.
Alabama is trying to build depth in its tight end room. It has Elijah Brown, Amari Niblack, and Danny Lewis Jr. One of these three should emerge in fall camp.
Left Tackle: Tyler Steen
Left Guard: Javion Cohen
Center: Seth McLaughlin
Right Guard: Damieon George Jr./Emil Ekiyor Jr.
Right Tackle: JC Latham
Summary: Seth McLaughlin is back as the starting center on Alabama’s offensive line. He stepped up late in the 2021 season against Auburn, Georgia, Cincinnati, and Georgia again. Javion Cohen will remain at left guard, and he’s grown into a leadership role. Tyler Steen, a transfer from Vanderbilt, is expected to start at left tackle.
He started 33 games as a tackle for the Commodores, including 21 games at left tackle.
Damieon George and Emil Ekiyor are battling for right guard while JC Latham is expected to start at right tackle.
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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.
