5 second-year Alabama football players to watch in fall camp

3/5/25 MFB Spring Practice 2 Alabama Defensive Lineman Jeremiah Beaman (92) Photo by Kent Gidley

Alabama football gets fall camp rolling this week with its 2025 squad facing high expectations.

The Crimson Tide are lucky to have a group of players with experience returning to their team. However, there is a group of players without as much experience set to make a name for themselves in the upcoming season.

Here is a look at five second-year players in position to breakout in year two.

Rico Scott

Scott emerged late during last season as a player with potential at wide receiver. He flashed in the Crimson Tide’s win over Mercer when he pulled in two passes for 37 yards and a touchdown. The performances earned him an expanded role in the Tide’s ReliaQuest Bowl game against Michigan. The Pennsylvania native has since garnered praise from current and former teammates.

“The biggest one would probably be Rico Scott,” Former Alabama DB Malachi Moore said when asked which player he thoughts he would make a big jump in year two. “I just seen him really take his game to another level. He’s always been a hard worker, though. He’s never really complaining about playing time or anything like that. He’s always kept his head down and do what the coaches ask him to do and come out and put the extra work in. He’s looking good.”

Jeremiah Beaman

The emergence of Beaman was a huge talking point during the spring. He is up to 314 pounds at 6-foot-4 and looks ready to make a name for himself along Alabama’s defensive front in 2025. Similar to Scott, he flashed towards the end of the 2024 football season. He saw his most playing time against Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl. He finished the game with two tackles and quarterback hurry.

Zavier Mincey

Mincey contributed on special teams and defense throughout the 2024 football season and earned his first start against Michigan. The 6-foot-3 defensive back finished the game with seven tackles in a pass breakup as he made the switch from cornerback to safety as the season progressed. He is now a full-time safety with the chance to earn some snaps as a rotation piece in 2025.

Dre Kirkpatrick

Kirkpatrick is coming off a spring where he was consistently highlighted by the Tide’s defensive coordinator Kane Wommack. He looks to have found a home at the husky position for the Crimson Tide. It is a position that fits his playing style as a hybrid safety. The Alabama legacy is considered an explosive defender, who was known as an opportunist and defensive playmaker coming out of Gasden City High School.

QB Reese

Reese was a surprise during the summer, as many considered him to be a developmental piece for Alabama when he signed. Injuries at linebacker opened the door for him to experience more snaps during the spring. He impressed Alabama’s coaching staff and players when he took advantage of his opportunity.

“QB Reese been making extreme noise this spring,” Alabama veteran defensive lineman, Tim Keenan said during the spring. “I’m definitely proud of him. We got to play high school together. My senior year was his freshman year, so man, I’m excited for him. The player he’s molded into, the player he’s becoming. I’m excited to see him on that field this year, hopefully.”

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