Alabama Football: Ranking All Position Groups Heading into Spring, Part 2
Since Alabama football spring practice begins soon, let’s take a look at which position groups are in a better spot than others.
In Part 1 of this position group review, we looked at the tight ends, running backs, inside linebackers, defensive line and offensive line. Those position groups were ranked as most vulnerable based on key losses and key returnees. Here, we continue our look with the Alabama football position groups in the best position heading into spring practice.
4. Quarterback
Key Losses: Jalen Hurts
Key Returnees: Tua Tagovailoa
I can feel some of you pulling away from me. Tua Tagovailoa makes this a Top 2 position group if he’s healthy. The guy definitely can play through pain, but the extent to which he is effective playing through said pain against good defenses is debatable. Quarterback is not a position that lends itself to “depth”. You have one clear leader and you hope the backup can play well if needed. And in 2018, Alabama had the most envious quarterback situation in college football. Jalen was wonderful and we all wish him the best in Norman.
Jalen’s gone, though, and Tua’s backup, Mac Jones, has only played mop-up duty to this point. He’ll need to be ready at some point and Alabama football offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian will bring him along if the moment presents itself. The idea of a true freshman starter at QB is en vogue, but Tua’s younger brother, Lia, and “Bear” Bryant’s great-grandson, Paul Tyson, will most likely be third and fourth options in 2019.
3. Secondary
Key Losses: Deionte Thompson, Saivion Smith
Key Returnees: Xavier McKinney, Trevon Diggs, Patrick Surtain, Jr., Shyheim Carter
I know two coaches are splitting the secondary duties this season, but the safeties and the corners work in conjunction with one another and usually there is at least one guy who can play both, i.e. Shyheim Carter. That being said, what was a glaring weakness of the 2018 Alabama football defense could be its biggest strength in 2019.
McKinney could be one of the better safeties in the SEC and a healthy Diggs along with an improved Surtain will make a stellar cornerback tandem. In all honesty, the secondary could be in the Top 2 of this list, but a lot of what I’m discussing is conjecture. Diggs hasn’t played a full season to date, Surtain is still young and we don’t know what position Carter will play. If it all comes together this spring, though, watch out.
2. Outside Linebacker
Key Losses: Christian Miller
Key Returnees: Anfernee Jennings, Terrell Lewis, Chris Allen
I thought for sure that Jennings would give up his fifth year of eligibility to turn pro and I wouldn’t have blamed him. His devastating knee injury in the 2017 semi-final was enough to make me believe that he wouldn’t want to risk anything after 2018. That being said, I’m absolutely thrilled he’s returning because he’s one of the few Tide players who gave themselves entirely in the championship game against Clemson. That type of leadership will be paramount.
Lewis and Allen both return from knee injuries, as well, and we can tentatively say that if healthy, they will provide depth and experience to a position group that had very little last season. Lewis is a first-round legitimate talent when healthy. Unfortunately, he’s had the worst luck of any Alabama football player and we’ll all be biting our nails, anxious for a drama-free and healthy spring practice. Second-year players, Eyabi Anoma, Cam Latu and Jarez Parks can help make this a fierce squad in 2019.
1. Wide Receiver
Key Losses: N/A
Key Returnees: Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, Devonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle
3,597 yards. Of the 4,854 total yards the Alabama football offense accrued through the air in 2018, 3,597 of those passing yards return in 2019. The Tide’s top four receiving options, the above mentioned “Gods of the Route”, all bring back their singular skills and traits for at least one more season. 2018 Biletnikoff winner Jeudy is the do-all leader of this group. Ruggs is arguably the fastest and certainly the toughest. Waddle is the most electric. Smith has the best hands. In the words of Coach P, “everybody eats.”
If one had to identify a negative in this position group, and I’m really grasping right now, it would be locating a fifth option in the event that one or more of these guys goes down during the season. Tyrell Shavers and Chadarius Townshend are third-year guys itching for their shot and redshirt freshman Xavier Williams has all the tools to be the Tide’s next great downfield threat. At the end of the day, this is not only the top position group on the team, but in the FBS.
The receiving stats above are from Sports Reference – College Football.
So, rebuilding some position groups is a harder task than others. The good news is so much young talent on the Crimson Tide roster.