The offseason discussion around Alabama football has been about quarterbacks, the offensive line, defensive players, wide receivers, and running backs.
However, one can trace the Crimson Tide’s six national championships under Nick Saban to the success of the tight end position.
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When the offense has used its tight ends, the Tide has been successful.
Collin Peek helped Alabama to a BCS National Championship in 2009, the combination of Brad Smelley and Michael Williams assisted the Tide to a national title in 2011, Williams caught four touchdown passes for Alabama’s 2012 national championship team, O.J. Howard shredded Clemson’s defense in the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game (2015 season), Irv Smith played a role on the Tide’s 2017 CFP National Championship roster, and the duo of Miller Forristall and Jahleel Billingsley helped Alabama to a title in 2020. Coach Saban has CJ Dippre (Maryland transfer), Amari Niblack, Danny Lewis Jr., Miles Kitselman, and Robbie Ouzts on the roster, but which one becomes the breakout star at the tight end spot for the fall?
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In a recent segment from “The Final Whistle” via The Bama Standard, the panel weighed in on who they felt will be the marquee player at tight end for the Tide. Niblack served as the favorite among the group, but they mentioned not to overlook Dippre or Lewis. Justin Riley, the host of The Bama Standard, mentioned Kitselman as a potential big-play target in the red zone.
Joe Cox, Alabama’s tight ends coach, has players to get ready. We will see who becomes the primary target.
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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.
