He has highlighted the importance of tight ends for Alabama’s offense in fall camp, but will Kalen DeBoer push for the development of that position?
The tight end room has looked confident, athletic, and physical through six practices. CJ Dippre, a second-year player for the Crimson Tide, is the leader in the room after he transferred in from Maryland in 2023. Robbie Ouzts, a senior, is an exceptional blocker, but he also possesses soft hands in the passing game. Danny Lewis and Ty Lockwood are very athletic weapons, while Josh Cuevas — a transfer from Washington — knows DeBoer’s system. Jay Lindsey, a freshman, has a lot of potential.
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Alabama’s offense has been tough to stop when tight ends have been involved. Players such as Michael Williams, Brad Smelley, O.J. Howard, Irv Smith, Hale Hentges, and Miller Forristall help the Tide to national championships. Jahleel Billingsley, a former Alabama tight end, assisted the team to a College Football Playoff National Championship in 2020 before transferring to Texas.
Bryan Ellis, the Tide’s tight ends coach, highlighted the development of two players on Wednesday — including Lindsey.
Alabama TEs Coach Bryan Ellis with an update on freshman Jay Lindsey’s progress:
“He’s fits our room really well. Jay is a big-bodied kid, he’s tough, he got good hands.”
Alabama is working with him on becoming more flexible in his hips.@TDAlabamaMag @TouchdownETP pic.twitter.com/rar49wmvmt
— Stephen M. Smith (@CoachingMSmith) August 7, 2024
“Jay has done a good job,” Ellis said. “He fits our room really well. He is a big-bodied kid, he’s tough, and he’s got good hands. What we have to get better with Jay is we have to continue to get flexibility. We have to get him more loose in the hips. He’s got good hands. We have to continue to get him stronger and faster so once he makes a catch, he is able to do some things with the ball in his hands.”
The 6-foot-5, 235-pounder came to the Crimson Tide from Butler, Ala., which is on the Mississippi line.
He chose Alabama over Mississippi and Mississippi State from Patrician Academy. Lewis, a Louisiana native, is someone Ellis is very high on for this season. The 6-foot-5, 255-pounder is a redshirt sophomore in his third season with the Tide.
Ellis said Lewis’ game is similar to CJ Dippre’s.
Who has made the most progress at tight end under Bryan Ellis?
Danny Lewis Jr.
Danny is going to provide a huge presence for us. His game is similar to CJ’s. He’s strong, he can put his hand in the ground. You don’t find that a lot.”@TDAlabamaMag @TouchdownETP pic.twitter.com/igZqQD1irn
— Stephen M. Smith (@CoachingMSmith) August 7, 2024
“I think the player that has progressed the most since we have been here is Danny,” Ellis said.
“Danny is going to provide a huge presence for us. He is a big-bodied kid, he’s strong, can put his hand in the ground and do some things there, which you don’t find that a lot. His progression has been really meaningful to us and our offense having more than one guy that can put their hand in the ground and be successful.”
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It is going to be interesting to see which player emerges to help Dippre at tight end.
Alabama will have its first scrimmage Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The exhibition should show a lot.
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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.
