Since Alabama football spring practice begins soon, let’s take a look at which position groups are in a better spot than others.
Since the orange and white confetti rained on Alabama football’s parade in January, the Tide have seen over ten major contributors to the 2018 team leave for the NFL. We’re going to analyze which position groups still look good heading into spring practice and which ones are more in doubt.
9. Tight End
Key Losses: Irv Smith, Jr., Hale Hentges
Key Returnees: Miller Forristall
Even though the 6’5″, 240-pound Forristall is a fourth-year junior, he has seen little action during his time in Tuscaloosa. This spring, Nick Saban and tight ends coach Jeff Banks will have to pinpoint which of their four current scholarship tight ends can even remotely fill the shoes of the prolific Irv Smith, Jr. Smith and Hale Hentges proved to be an effective tandem in 2018 accounting for close to 800 yards offense and 10 touchdowns.
With Kedrick James’ eligibility up in the air for the first of the 2019 season, this leaves very few options to go along with Forristall. Look for Saban and his staff to be shopping for a JuCo or grad transfer this offseason to shore up depth.
8. Running Back
Key Losses: Damien Harris, Josh Jacobs
Key Returnees: Najee Harris
Just two years ago, running back was easily the deepest unit not only on the Alabama football team, but arguably the entire FBS. And were it not for Jacobs’ stellar second half of the 2018 season, he might’ve returned and the running back position group would be towards the top of this list. Jacobs, along with Tide stalwart Damien Harris, is gone, though, leaving rising junior Najee Harris as the only experienced option for 2019.
There’s a strong sense, however, that junior Brian Robinson is more than ready to make his Eddie Lacy-esque impact on the Tide offense this fall. For two years he’s been cursed by depth and now he looks to be Harris’ primary back-up. Former five and four-star freshmen RBs, Trey Sanders and Keilan Robinson, respectively, arrive this summer.
7. Inside Linebacker
Key Losses: Mack Wilson
Key Returnees: Dylan Moses
This particular ranking is dependent upon your level of cynicism. Dylan Moses is no doubt going to be a much more effective linebacker in 2019 and will most likely be calling the defense for Saban and new defensive coordinator Pete Golding. However, despite Mack Wilson’s underwhelming play at times last season, losing your primary on-the-field play caller stings.
To replace Wilson, you have plenty of talented options, none of whom, however, have any meaningful playing time on the defense. Early money seems to be on rising sophomore Ale Kaho, but I wouldn’t sleep on his 2018 recruiting classmate Jaylen Moody. Markail Benton, Josh McMillon and Ben Davis all provide valuable experience in Saban’s system.
6. Defensive Line
Key Losses: Quinnen Williams, Isaiah Buggs
Key Returnees: Raekwon Davis, LaBryan Ray
Heading into 2018, my thought was that Raekwon Davis will leave early for the NFL draft after the season ends and the Tide will get back Williams. Boy, did Quinnen prove me wrong! With about as impressive a showing by a defensive tackle in several years, Williams justifiably left early to get paid. Davis returning for his senior year is huge, though, because it allows for an experienced alpha like A’Shawn Robinson in 2015 and Jonathan Allen in 2016 to bring along a talented, but young corps of players.
The first team of the line seems to be set with Davis, Ray and nose guard Phidarian Mathis. It will be incumbent upon the impressive crop of true freshmen coming in to push second-year players, Stephon Wynn, Christian Barmore and Tevita Musika. There’s not a lot of experience among this unit, but there’s a crazy amount of talent. Look for former five-star and early enrollee Antonio Alfano to be a contributor in 2019.
5. Offensive Line
Key Losses: Jonah Williams, Ross Pierschbacher
Key Returnees: Jedrick Wills, Alex Leatherwood
Normally, losing three and four-year starters along the offensive line would be cause for concern, but “normally” doesn’t know Alabama football. Not having Jonah Williams and Ross Pierschbacher will hurt, but the potential of Leatherwood moving from right guard to left tackle (his more natural spot) could give the Tide one of the best tackle bookends in the FBS, along with right tackle (and blind spot protector of southpaw Tua), Jedrick Wills.
Add into the mix 2017 starter Matt Womack to possibly replace Leatherwood at right guard and you have three experienced guys across the line. It’ll be paramount to find a replacement for Pierschbacher and fourth-year junior Chris Owens seems to be the next man up. With Deonte Brown serving a possible suspension at the beginning of 2019, look for redshirt frosh Emil Ekiyor, Jr. to be ready. Offensive line coach Kyle Flood has a lot with which to work.
Alabama football will be young in 2019, but some of the underclassmen have game experience. Others will have to step up quickly.
Part II is on the way!