Alabama Football: Redshirts who can breakthrough in 2020

Every offseason the most buzz comes from the latest early enrollees. Alabama football has a group of redshirts, newbies may not be able to push aside.

Alabama football fans are still celebrating the 2020 signing class, and for good reason. It included several players who can fill key roles as freshmen. It happens every year that the shiny new class takes some luster away from a slightly older model.

In case any Crimson Tide fan needs a reminder, the No. 1 CFB class in 2019 belonged to Alabama football. As measured by the 247Sports Composite, the class was so strong it blew away its closest competitor, the Georgia Bulldogs.

The Tide signed 27 players in the 2019 class. The top-rated recruit, Antonio Alfano bailed. Among the next 16, most highly rated signees, three became starters, two more became regular, defensive contributors and eight were redshirted. The remaining three were special teams players.

In the special teams group, sophomores Demarrco Hellams and King Mwikuta will compete for slots in the defensive two-deep. Both young men stood out in a season of practices. Hellams will be a serious contender for a starting safety position.

Another member of the 2019 class, sophomore, Darrian Dalcourt could win a starting role at center.

What about the redshirts? Which ones can breakthrough as key players in 2020? A healthy Trey Sanders will certainly do just that. Sanders has a good chance to get the second-most touches out of the Crimson Tide backfield. Another redshirt who can earn plenty of snaps is defensive end, Braylen Ingraham. Ingraham needed a year of weight training and adding bulk to his 6-foot-4 frame. Now listed at 291 pounds, he should see considerable playing time.

Outside linebacker, Kevin Harris was another freshman who was under-sized last season. The Alabama football coaches value his pass-rushing ability and now at 222 pounds, he is nearing the weight needed to be a threat off the edge.

On the offensive line, Pierce Quick and Amari Kight will fight for playing time. Quick is most likely in the two-deep, with an outside chance of becoming a starter.

In the secondary, the Crimson Tide staff sees potential in Brandon Turnage. Scooby Carter has perhaps as much upside as Turnage if Scooby gets properly focused.

The big (in multiple ways) redshirt question mark is Ishmael Sopsher. Not physically ready for a defensive line rotation role last season, there is hope Ish will continue to develop into a player matching his recruiting profile.

There is one more redshirt to consider. In this case, it is a redshirt sophomore. Jalyn Armour-Davis had to overcome a serious knee injury. After missing the 2018 season in injury rehab, Jaylyn is starting his third season in Tuscaloosa. Tide coaches have always rated him highly. He could break into a nickel or dime role in 2020.

The 2020 Alabama football season officially kicks off with spring practice on Mar. 13. After taking off for Spring Break, the Tide will return to work on Mar. 23.