All signs point to Alabama football having an opportunity to play more reserves this weekend against Eastern Illinois.
With several young Alabama players expected to see some action on Saturday, here are five young players to watch out for:
5. QB Reese
Reese is an inside linebacker, who took a big step forward during the spring. Unfortunately for him, he has not been able to carve out a role in the Tide’s linebacker room due to several experienced linebackers lining up ahead of him. The Birmingham, Alabama, native has contributed on special teams for most of the season. With Justin Jefferson, Deontae Lawson and Nikhai Hill-Green set to depart from the Tide’s program at the end of the 2024 season, Reese could be giving a preview of what is to come next year at inside linebacker for Alabama.
4. Marshall Pritchett
Alabama football has shown it will continue to use multiple tight ends in the future. While he has not played much this season, Pritchett was thought to be one of the better receiving tight ends coming out of high school last season. His skill set is a perfect fit for what DeBoer wants the tight end position to look like in Tuscaloosa in terms of being a receiving threat. This could be put on display on Saturday.
3. Will Sanders
Will Sanders has been used as an extra blocker at times this season, and he is projected to take over one of the Tide’s guard spots next season if he continues to develop at a positive rate. Sanders was considered one of the nation’s best lead blockers as a prospect. Look out for the Tuscaloosa area native on this weekend.
2. Keelon Russell
Russeell is considered the future of Alabama football. With Ty Simpson playing like one of the best quarterbacks in college football this season, Russell and Austin Mack have settled in as the Tide’s backup options. Mack is considered the Crimson Tide’s second-string quarterback because he has played before Russell has this season, but Alabama’s coaching staff has not named an official backup to Simpson. Russell should get an opportunity to remind Tide fans why they are so excited about him on Saturday.
1. AK Dear
Many Alabama fans want to see more of Dear due to the Crimson Tide struggling to run the football. Some are hopeful he can help turn things around on the ground for the Tide. The running back should get an opportunity to spin and show flashes against the Panthers. Dear was considered an explosive and tenacious runner when he was coming out of Quitman High School in Mississippi. He flashed this explosiveness against ULM when he broke free for a 56-yard rushing score. He could have a repeat performance on Saturday. But will a good performance against Eastern Illinois be able to catapult him into more meaningful playing time?
Justin Smith is the Managing Editor and Lead Writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine with over 10 years of writing experience & expertise. Smith has consistently delivered high quality, extensively researched information on the University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide football team that fans can trust. Smith is official credentialed media with the University of Alabama under Touchdown Alabama Magazine. He is also the Director of Recruiting for Touchdown Enterprises, specializing in scouting and analyzing high school recruits around the nation, specifically focusing on recruits within the state of Alabama.
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