Preseason practice for Alabama football starts Wednesday.
After a good showing at Southeastern Conference Media Days, Kalen DeBoer is ready for his team to take the practice field and show what it has for the upcoming season. He has built a winning culture at each stop on his coaching journey, but he has an opportunity to do something special in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
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Alabama signed several talented freshmen in its 2024 recruiting class, but who should we be watching the most in camp?
A breakdown of five playmakers is below.
Ryan Williams, WR
Ryan Williams has every Alabama fans excited for his freshman campaign.
The five-star wide receiver was nothing short of incredible across his career at Saraland (Ala.) High School, accomplishing “Mr. Football” honors twice for the state of Alabama and being the Gatorade Player of the Year twice. His maturity and work ethic has the coaching staff ready to put him in positions to be successful. Williams has all the tools to take college football by storm, but it starts with how he works in preseason practice. The 6-foot-1, 165-pounder is set to put on a show that will lead to excellence.
Caleb Odom, WR
He arrived as a tight end, but Alabama saw something special in Caleb Odom to move him to wide receiver.
The 6-foot-5, 215-pounder had a very good spring and comes from a program — Carrollton (Ga.) High School — that prepared him for the Southeastern Conference. Odom caught 64 passes for 1,121 yards and 13 touchdowns during his junior season, while also excelling in basketball at Carrollton. His size, routes, hands, and speed should create favorite matchups in the passing game.
Nick Sheridan, Alabama’s offensive coordinator, has to find ways to use Odom’s skill set to be explosive.
Red Morgan, DB
Red Morgan could finish fall camp as the Crimson Tide’s starting ‘Husky’ defensive back.
He is competing with DeVonta Smith for the position. Morgan, a product of Central High School in Phenix City, Ala., had 50 tackles, five tackles for loss, a sack, four pass breakups, and two interceptions in his junior year of high school. His coaches and teammates for the Crimson Tide praised his playmaking abilities throughout spring practice. The 6-foot, 175-pounder plays much bigger than his size indicates. He will get marquee reps as a backup, yet Morgan has the potential to be a starter for the Tide.
Zabien Brown, DB
Zabien Brown is a legitimate position to start at cornerback, especially if one of Alabama’s two transfers struggles.
The 6-foot, 180-pounder from California is the ideal frame and size at corner for the Tide.
He will put on more weight, but the five-star from Mater Dei High School is an elite defender. Brown may have some early growing pains, but if he is the best option after fall camp … Alabama needs to roll with him.
Jaylen Mbakwe, DB
He needs to learn the cornerback position, but Jaylen Mbakwe is such an explosive talent.
Mbakwe played quarterback, wide receiver, defensive back, and return specialist for Clay-Chalkville High School, leading the program to a Class 6A state championship in 2023. Alabama needs to consider having him return punts.
If Mbakwe is on special teams, Tide fans will return to having someone that creates excitement again in the return game.
He is very good in open space and knows how to turn it on with the ball in his hands.
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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.
