Fall camp for the University of Alabama football team starts on Wednesday, July 31, in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
The athletes are scheduled to report to camp on Tuesday, July 30, as Kalen DeBoer and his coaching staff looks to produce a national champion in this team. In this series, leading into the first practice, the staff at Touchdown Alabama Magazine will break down starting jobs that are up for grabs.
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Competition will be marquee in practice, and DeBoer is only putting the best on the field.
We have broken down left tackle, right tackle, cornerback, and Husky, but now we turn our attention to who wins Alabama’s starting job at tight end.
CJ Dippre
Amari Niblack’s decision to transfer to the University of Texas opens the door for CJ Dippre at tight end for Alabama.
Dippre, a former Maryland transfer, did not get a lot of opportunities with the Terapins.
He played in 14 games for the Crimson Tide in 2023, catching 11 passes for 187 receiving yards. Dippre was on the Tide’s Southeastern Conference Championship team, but he was not utilized like he should have been. The 6-foot-5, 257-pounder has the physicality, hands, and routes to be more of a factor in the passing game. He can be a true security blanket for Jalen Milroe, especially on third downs and in the red zone. Kalen DeBoer and Nick Sheridan must find ways to target him offensively.
The Field
Alabama moves Caleb Odom from tight end to wide receiver, which leaves Danny Lewis Jr., Robbie Ouzts, Ty Lockwood, Jay Lindsey, and Josh Cuevas at the position.
All four will push in fall practice to see if one can beat out Dippre.
Lewis and Lockwood are good athletes while Ouzts has been an impressive blocker. He improved as a receiving option last year, recording a touchdown catch. Lindsey, a freshman, is a physical blocker that could be special in the receiving aspect.
Cuevas, a transfer from Washington, brings experienced depth. He assisted the Huskies to a Pac-12 Championship and a berth in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. We will see if someone emerges from the pack to over take Dippre.
Predicted Winner: CJ Dippre
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
