5 offensive players with the most to prove for Alabama during spring practices

Nov 16, 2024; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) rolls out and throws with Mercer defensive lineman Andrew Zock (94) pressuring him at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated Mercer 52-7. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News

Alabama began spring practice on Monday. The Crimson Tide will have a lot of improving to do on both sides of the ball in order to reach the ultimate goal which is the 12-team College Football Playoff.

Touchdown Alabama lists five offensive players with the most to prove during spring practices.

1. QB Ty Simpson

There might not be a player on Alabama’s roster that has more to prove than redshirt junior quarterback Ty Simpson. The Tennessee native has waited in the wings to start under center. Now, the time has finally come. It is now or never for the former five-star. Simpson has shown signs of potential in the past. His strongest performance came during the 2023 season against USF. He finished the game 5-of-9 passing for 73 yards and a rushing touchdown. 

He will have his work cut out for him with redshirt sophomore Austin Mack and true freshman Keelon Russell both vying for the starting position as well. Each of them have the potential to earn the starting job. Simpson must find a way to separate himself from the rest of the pack. Otherwise, he will be on the outside looking in yet again in 2025.

2. OT Wilkin Formby

The Tuscaloosa native and former four-star Wilkin Formby has had his share of ups and downs throughout his college career. He has shown shown flashes of promise but has struggled significantly at other times to hold his own weight at right tackle. During the 2024 season, Formby played in nine games with two starts. He had a series of holding penalties in the USF game that led a lot of fans to degrade his performance. Over the course of the season, he was used very sparsely. In 2025, Formby will have a great opportunity to earn the starting spot at right tackle. Can his experience and upside outweigh the struggles of the past? That is the question surrounding Formby the most at this point in time.

3. RB Jam Miller

Another player that still has a lot to prove is rising senior Jam Miller. The Texas native started at running back for the Crimson Tide in 2024. He had 145 carries for 668 yards and seven touchdowns. He never seemed to be able to fully tap into his potential last season. The offensive line struggled to create running lanes, and Miller never seemed to be able to get into the groove over the course of the season. With Alabama losing Justice Haynes to the transfer portal, Miller is expected to be the feature back when the season starts. Miller has always been good. The key for him is whether or not he can reach his full potential in his final year with the Crimson Tide in 2025? He will have the opportunity to solidify himself as RB1 during spring practices. 

4. RB Richard Young 

Interestingly enough, another ball carrier for the Crimson Tide has a great chance to prove his worth in the offense during spring ball. Redshirt sophomore Richard Young has patiently waited for his chance to burst onto the scene in Tuscaloosa. The former five-star has made the most of every opportunity thus far. In 2024, Young had 27 carries for 146 yards and two touchdowns. With Haynes transferring, Young has a legitimate shot at pushing for the RB2 spot and potentially even RB1 as the season progresses. Throughout the spring, it will be interesting to see and hear how Young is performing in Alabama’s new-look offense. 

5. TE Josh Cuevas

On Monday, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer met with media to discuss several things. One of those things being the surplus of players that will be unable to participate in spring practices due to injury. Redshirt junior Danny Lewis Jr. will be sidelined throughout the spring due to a lingering injury. With that being the case, redshirt senior Josh Cuevas has a great opportunity ahead of him to cement himself as a mainstay in Alabama’s offense. He is a balanced tight end that can catch passes and run block. It will be interesting to see how he takes advantage of the opportunities that he is given by the coaching staff with Lewis Jr. sidelined. 

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Brody Smoot is a team reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “follow” him on X, via @brodysmoot.