Alabama football has some rebuilding to do in 2019. Check out five returning offensive players who must step up for the Crimson Tide next season.
Alabama football has some roster gaps to fill in 2019. Replacing starters and key contributors Jonah Williams, Ross Piersbacher, Damien Harris, Josh Jacobs, Quinnen Williams, Isiah Buggs, Mack Wilson, Christian Miller and Deionte Thompson is a big task.
Fifteen members of the 2019 Signing Class enrolled early. Perhaps as many as ten of those early-to-work freshmen have a chance to make into the Tide’s two-deep by the end of August.
More important than the progress of the freshmen will be the emergence of returning players. At least a dozen Crimson Tide backups from the 2018 roster have a chance to earn a starting role in 2019.
Needing to step up on Offense
It all starts upfront for the Crimson Tide offense. New starters needed at left tackle and center for the NFL-bound Jonah Williams and Ross Pierschbacher. In addition, with the expected suspension of Deonte Brown in the early season, The Tide needs three new O-line starters.
Experience will be valued on the O-line and redshirt senior, Matt Womack has it, giving him the lead to earn a starting role. Last week, Ross Piersbacher mentioned Womack, sophomore Emil Ekiyor and redshirt junior, Chris Owens. Ross sees Owens at center while Brown is out, with Ekiyor at guard. When Brown returns, Ross thinks Ekiyor will slide to center. Emil Ekiyor was a highly rated 4-Star in the 2018 class whose participation was limited last season after not enrolling until summer. Ekiyor is currently listed at 342 pounds and will need to keep his weight in check.
The trio is versatile. Womack can play guard or tackle. Owens and Ekiyor can play center or guard. Owens will battle to hold on to a starting role after Brown returns. Brown will have to earn back a starting role and nothing is guaranteed. The Crimson Tide rushing attack was more effective in 2018 when Brown was in games.
Najee Harris will be the lead back in 2019 but the Alabama football staff will still look to split carries among four or five running backs. The second guy in the rotation should be Brian Robinson. The hometown player is big and fast. He runs with power and is more elusive than many fans realize. Incoming freshman phenom, Trey Sanders, already intent on being in the Heisman discussion for 2019 will have to at least beat out Robinson first.
Check out this video of Brian Robinson.
Brian Robinson has had to wait his turn. Bama Insider recently asked Brian if he considered transferring.
"I’ve thought about it, but I realized at the end of the day it will take the same amount of time. I’m also not going to turn around and run away from something when it gets hard. That’s not who I am."
One more key offensive position has to be filled. The backup to Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback. Mac Jones has the inside track based on experience. He will have to hold off three youngsters in Layne Hatcher, Taulia Tagovailoa and Paul Tyson. The best scenario is for Mac to show he can step in whenever needed. There is plenty of talent behind him but zero experience.
Bama Hammer will continue this theme with a future post profiling key returning defensive players. Stay connected with us as we follow all the roster developments throughout the spring.