There will be a lot of eyes focused on the Alabama Crimson Tide this offseason. In particular, there will be a major amount of attention directed toward the quarterback position. For the first time in two years, Alabama will have a new quarterback under center.
In addition, Alabama lost some valuable players on offense including left guard Tyler Booker and tight ends Robbie Ouzts and CJ Dippre. Each of which declared for the NFL Draft in the offseason. Not to mention, Alabama lost a handful of key contributors as well to the transfer portal. While there will be a number of returners, there will also be some new faces in the fold in Tuscaloosa.
Touchdown Alabama projects Alabama’s offensive depth chart heading into the first week of spring practice.
Quarterback
1. Ty Simpson – R-Jr. / Keelon Russell – Fr. / Austin Mack – R-So.
Yes, everyone wants to know who will start at quarterback for the Crimson Tide in 2025. No, there is not a favorite or a frontrunner at this point in time. With that being said, I firmly believe each of the three scholarship quarterbacks will split reps at the position to begin spring practices. Simpson, Russell, and Mack will have a fair shot at earning the starting role over the course of the spring and leading up to the start of the season. There will be plenty of opportunities for one of them to stand out and take the reigns as QB1. However, with the unclarity, there is no need to make a projection yet for who the starting quarterback will be.
Running back
1. Jam Miller – Sr.
2. Richard Young – R-So.
3. Dre’lyn Washington – R-Sr. / Daniel Hill – So.
4. Kevin Riley – R-Fr. / AK Dear – Fr.
There is no questioning the fact that Alabama has depth and talent at the running back position. Running back should be a position of strength for the Crimson Tide in 2025.
The room is led by senior Jam Miller. The Texas native is heading into his fourth season and figures to be the starting tailback for the second year in a row. He will be complimented by redshirt sophomore and former five-star Richard Young. The Florida native has played sparsely in his first two seasons in Tuscaloosa. That trend is sure to change in 2025 given the departures and the continuous improvement that Young has continued to show in an Alabama uniform.
Louisiana transfer Dre’lyn Washington will likely be used in short yardage situations. He is listed at 5-foot-9 and 224 pounds. Washington will be accompanied by sophomore Daniel Hill as Alabama’s most powerful runners. Hill played in nine games as a true freshman.
Talented freshman AK Dear and redshirt freshman Kevin Riley round out the talented room of ball carriers for the Crimson Tide for the 2025 season.
Wide receiver (X)
1. Isaiah Horton – R-Jr. / Jalen Hale – R-So.
2. Lotzeir Brooks – Fr.
Miami transfer Isaiah Horton and Jalen Hale appear to be the frontrunners to become Alabama’s WR3 in 2025. With Alabama’s top two wide receivers returning, there is a promising opportunity for one of them to step up and be a very complimentary piece of the offense.
Horton is coming off of his best season at the college level. In 2024, he reeled in 56 receptions for 616 yards and five touchdowns for the Hurricanes. He was a reliable weapon for future first-round pick Cam Ward and the Hurricanes. He will look to improve even more as a redshirt junior in Tuscaloosa.
Hale is coming off of a season-ending injury that occurred before the start of the 2024 season. He was cleared to play in the Crimson Tide’s bowl game against Michigan but was held out to prevent injury. The Texas native has a lot of potential to thrive in Alabama’s offense in 2025. Regardless of who wins the starting spot, the latter will receive a lot of meaningful playing time.
Brooks has a lot to like as a true freshman. He was named the New Jersey Player of the Year following his senior season. Brooks is athletic and versatile with his hands on the ball and could see some opportunities early on as a newcomer.
Wide receiver (Z)
1. Ryan Williams – So.
2. Rico Scott – R-Fr. / Derek Meadows – Fr.
Alabama was led in receiving last season by freshman sensation Ryan Williams. The former five-star is entering his sophomore season at The Capstone with very high expectations. He will continue to be a driving force in Alabama’s offense for the foreseeable future.
Williams will be accompanied at the position by two hard-working, bright stars in redshirt freshman Rico Scott and true freshman Derek Meadows. Scott displayed his skillset and talent level in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Michigan. He has a knack for creating big plays and making the most of every opportunity. When it comes to Meadows, I continue to hear high praise about him. The coaching staff seems to be surprised at how well Meadows plays for his size. Alabama certainly has two reliable options behind Williams.
Wide receiver (H)
1. Germie Bernard – Sr.
2. Cole Adams – R-So.
3. Bubba Hampton – R-Fr.
One of the more sure-handed, reliable targets in Alabama’s offense last season was Germie Bernard. The Washington transfer finished the season as the team leader in receptions with 50. The Nevada native just continued to improve and find ways to impact the game for the Crimson Tide. He will need to do the same and then some for the Crimson Tide in 2025.
Behind Bernard, Alabama will use rising junior Cole Adams. The Oklahoma native is coming off a season-ending injury, so it will be interesting to see how he fares during spring ball. Needless to say, he could be a vital part of what Alabama does offensively in 2025 given his versatility and playmaking ability.
Lastly, former four-star athlete Bubba Hampton will round out the group of pass catchers. The Texas native received very little playing time as a true freshman, but that is subject to change in 2025 given his big-play ability.
Tight end (Y)
1. Josh Cuevas – R-Sr.
2. Marshall Pritchett – Fr.
With starting tight end CJ Dippre turning pro, someone will have to replace him. The top option to do so heading into the spring is redshirt senior Josh Cuevas. The former Washington tight end flashed signs of potential in 2024 with the Crimson Tide. He finished the season with 16 receptions for 218 yards. His experience and balanced skillset is sure to help Alabama in 2025.
True freshman Marshall Pritchett will make a strong case for immediate playing time. The Georgia native will be nursing an injury in the spring but figures to be a potential option at tight end by the time the season rolls around.
Tight end (H)
1. Danny Lewis Jr. – R-Jr
2. Kaleb Edwards – Fr. / Jay Lindsey – R-Fr.
After entering the transfer portal, Danny Lewis Jr. elected to withdraw and return to Tuscaloosa. The Louisiana native is a respected player in Alabama’s locker room. He is a big-bodied tight end at 6-foot-5 and 257 pounds. Lewis Jr. will be used primarily as a blocker, similarly to former Alabama tight end/h-back Robbie Ouzts.
True freshman Kaleb Edwards and redshirt freshman Jay Lindsey could push for playing time at the position as well.
Left tackle
1. Kadyn Proctor – Jr.
2. Arkel Anugwom – R-So. / Jackson Lloyd – Fr.
There is no doubt that Kadyn Proctor will be Alabama’s starting left tackle in 2025. The Iowa native showed drastic improvement from his freshman to sophomore season. Can he continue to improve as a junior? That will be the key as he looks to improve his draft stock and become a better offensive tackle in 2025.
Behind Proctor, Ball State transfer Arkel Anugwom and true freshman Jackson Lloyd will work to develop an learn the position. The two of them will have the opportunity to sit and learn behind one of the top offensive tackles in college football next season with Proctor returning to Tuscaloosa.
Left guard
1. Kam Dewberry – Sr. / Geno VanDeMark – R-Sr.
2. Michael Caroll – Fr.
3. William Sanders – R-Fr.
This is a position of uncertainty. With Alabama losing a potential first-round pick in Tyler Booker to the NFL Draft, someone will have to assume the starting role.
Texas A&M transfer Kam Dewberry and redshirt senior Geno VanDeMark have the best odds to do so. Each have valuable experience at both guard positions and understand what it takes to play in a grueling conference like the SEC.
It would be unfair to not mention former five-star and true freshman Michael Carroll. There are rumblings in Tuscaloosa that he is working at both guard and tackle. That is a development worth following with spring ball around the corner.
Center
1. Parker Brailsford – R-Jr.
2. Roq Montgomery – R-So.
3. Joseph Ionata – R-Fr.
One of the top centers in college football in 2025 will be Parker Brailsford. The one-time Washington Husky transferred to Alabama to play for DeBoer and the Crimson Tide. The move has paid dividends for both parties as Brailsford has already established himself as a promising interior offensive lineman.
His backup will be redshirt sophomore Roq Montgomery. The Alabama native has played both guard and center for the Crimson Tide over the course of his career. He provides valuable depth at the position.
Right guard
1. Jaeden Roberts – R-Sr.
2. Casey Poe – R-Fr.
3. Micah DeBose – Fr.
One of the toughest players on Alabama’s roster over the years has been Jaeden Roberts. The Texas native is returning to Tuscaloosa for his fifth and final season. Roberts is a veteran up front for the Crimson Tide and will be the anchor of the offensive line alongside Brailsford. If he can stay healthy, he will be a very impactful player for Alabama during the 2025 season.
If Roberts were to suffer an injury or need to be replaced, there are some intriguing options behind him. Redshirt freshman Casey Poe and true freshman Micah DeBose are former four-stars that have the potential to develop into good guards over the course of time.
Right tackle
1. Wilkin Formby – R-So.
2. Olaus Alinen – R-So.
3. Mal Waldrep – Fr.
Despite some early struggles, it appears that Tuscaloosa native and redshirt sophomore Wilkin Formby will start out taking first team reps at the right tackle position. Formby is a hard worker that is very passionate about helping Alabama win football games. He will receive the first opportunity at right tackle.
The other option that I am looking for to step up in 2025 is redshirt sophomore Olaus Alinen. The native of Finland has played in 17 games in two seasons. He is respected by the coaching staff and is bound to see the field at some point in time. Will it be this season? We will have to wait and see how things play out.
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Brody Smoot is a team reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “follow” him on X, via @brodysmoot.
