Alabama Football: Slash marks lead on Nick Saban’s Depth Chart Monday

Alabama football kicked off 2019’s first game week with Nick Saban’s Monday presser. Nick’s comments were interesting but slash marks ruled the depth chart.

Normalcy has returned for Alabama football. Finally, a new season has arrived. As always, the anticipation has been agonizing.

While few in the national media have chosen to acknowledge it,  a Nick Saban rant is far from the norm. Over the last couple of seasons, the King of College Football has publicly softened. Most questions are given thoughtful consideration. He no longer appears automatically primed to challenge reporters for stupid questions.

Such was the case on Monday of Duke week. Saban praised Duke and especially David Cutcliffe. Building up an opponent is common fare but the extent Nick dispensed accolades for Cutcliffe revealed sincere respect.

Hypotheticals being heresy for Saban, he leapfrogged any ‘how good will Alabama football be’ in his opening remarks. Nick admitted what every coach knows – there is no way to tell how good a team is until it plays a game.

During the offseason we have discussed how young this Alabama football team is – Monday’s depth chart reinforced that claim. Eighteen true freshmen were listed on the first week depth chart. What stood out most on the depth chart was the frequent use of a slash mark to signify a starter has not yet been chosen. Check out the slash situations below.

• Second unit Defensive End – Justin Eboigbe/ Byron Young
• Second unit Nose Guard – Stephon Wynn/ Tevita Musika
• Second Unit Mike Linebacker – Shane Lee/ Markail Benton
• Second unit Will Linebacker – Jaylen Moody/ Ale Kaho
• Second unit Jack Linebacker – Ben Davis/ King Mwikuta
• Second Unit Cornerback – Jalyn Armour-Davis/ Scooby Carter
• First unit Cornerback – Patrick Surtain II/ Josh Jobe
• Second unit Free Safety – Daniel Wright/ Jordan Battle
• First unit Strong Safety – Shyheim Carter/ Jared Mayden
• First unit Star Corner – Shyheim Carter/ Patrick Surtain II
• First unit Left Guard – Emil Ekiyor/ Evan Neal
• First unit Center – Chris Owens/ Landon Dickerson
• First unit Right Guard – Landon Dickerson/ Matt Womack
• First unit Slot Receiver – Jerry Jeudy/ Jaylen Waddle
• Punter – Skyler DeLong/ Will Reichard

A couple of decisions for the Duke game will be determined by player health. Saban said Justin Eboigbe’s foot injury is not a long-term problem but he is questionable for Duke. Stephon Wynn is another defensive lineman who may not be healthy enough to play against the Blue Devils.

When asked about the progress of true freshmen defensive backs, Saban very cautiously praised Jordan Battle and DeMarcco Hellams.

The complete depth chart, compliments of al.com.

How good is Jaylen Waddle? The returning Biletnikoff winner (Jerry Jeudy) has to share a starting role with Waddle. Alabama football fans can expect to see them both on the field frequently in 2019.