Alabama football will have some big holes to fill next season, and members of the Crimson Tide’s 2023 recruiting class will have opportunities to help fill those slots.
The Tide could possibly lose key contributors on both sides of the football at the end of the year. Those departures will open up the door for some of Alabama’s incoming freshmen to come in and make immediate impacts. The Tide’s defense will be heavily hit by those departures.
Jordan Battle, DeMarcco Hellams, Eli Ricks, Byron Young, Justin Eboigbe, Will Anderson, Henry To’oto’o, Jaylen Moody and Brian Branch may not be in Tuscaloosa next season. Alabama’s offense will also have its fair share of departures with Byrce Young, Jahmyr Gibbs, Emil Ekiyor and Tyler Steen possibly moving on.
Alabama currently has commitments from 23 2023 prospects. Some of those pledges are projected to be in the mix to make some noise in their first year in Tuscaloosa.
Caleb Downs, Alabama’s five-star defensive back commit, is one of the nation’s top safety prospects. His ability to be a playmaker on the backend has many feeling he could come in and take advantage of Alabama possibly losing its two starting safeties in Hellams and Battle. Fellow five-star defensive back, Tony Mitchell will also look to take advantage of this opportunity alongside Brayson Hubbard.
Alabama’s 5-Star DB commit, @caleb_downs2 showed he was a dynamic playmaker once again Saturday.
I was thoroughly impressed with his ability to come downhill to help in run support and make tackles in open space. pic.twitter.com/LrbQaRHZ9N
— Justin Smith (@Jdsmith31Smith) August 21, 2022
The Tide’s other five-star defensive back commit, Jahlil Hurley could come in and challenge Alabama’s current cornerbacks.
Alabama 5-Star DB commit Jahlil Hurley @fnolil_ is 6-foot-3 with incredibly long arms.
He is giving receivers fits in coverage early. pic.twitter.com/RgR6XuVCaz
— Justin Smith (@Jdsmith31Smith) October 1, 2022
Alabama’s JUCO commits, Justin Jefferson and Malachi Benson will look to take their shots once they get to Tuscaloosa. Jefferson will have to battle some young inside linebackers after Moody and To’oto’o move on. Benson will have a shot in an Alabama wide receiver room that is expected to be filled with chances. Jalen Hale and Cole Adams will have an opportunity to get on the field at wide receiver as well.
Jordan Renaud is an Alabama commit to keep an eye on when it comes to Alabama’s defensive front. The Tide are hopeful they will land some other interior defensive line recruits who could shake things up when they get to Tuscaloosa.
BREAKING: 4-Star DL Jordan Renaud commits to Alabama over the Oklahoma Sooners.
— Justin Smith (@Jdsmith31Smith) September 19, 2022
Freshmen have made big impacts in Tuscaloosa in the the past, and the Tide’s 2023 class will have golden opportunities.
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Justin Smith is a Scouting/Recruiting analyst for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via @Jdsmith31Smith
