Alabama Football: Early enrolling ’21 class players arrive on campus

Alabama Football: Early help for the 2021 Crimson Tide as 15 guys will enroll early at the Capstone.

Unlike last spring, enrolling early in 2021 should mean a spring of Alabama football practices. Fifteen members of the 2021 Signing Class are scheduled to arrive in Tuscaloosa by Sunday. One of them, Monkell Goodwine tweeted on Saturday afternoon that he is already in T-Town.

It is not known if they will all watch the National Championship game from their new home or if some will dash to south Florida, Monday night. What is known is several of the early 15 have a chance to become key players next season.

NFL Draft decisions are still to be made and because of the one-season, COVID exception, every Crimson Tide player can choose to play again next season. As at the end of every season, players will move on to the NFL, to other schools, or to begin their non-playing careers.

Predicting the turnover is impossible. Except for the several players, like DeVonta Smith, for whom another season of college football makes no sense. The same is true for Najee Harris, Patrick Surtain II and Alex Leatherwood, and most probably Mac Jones and Jaylen Waddle.

In order for a member of the 2021 class to make an impact similar to Malachi Moore and Will Anderson, attrition at some positions must occur. The offensive line is one. Another is the wide receiver group. The Alabama football defense will need one, or if Josh Jobe leaves early, two new starting cornerbacks next season.

There will be competition for three starting spots on the offensive line. The 5-Star signees, Tommy Brockermeyer and J.C. Latham are both enrolling early. Other early offensive linemen are 4-Stars, Terrence Ferguson and James Brockermeyer. At wide receiver, 5-Star, Jacorey Brooks and a pair of 4-Stars, Agiye Hall and Christian Leary will get early chances to develop into 2021 starting roles.

The replacement for Patrick Surtain II might be one of the early enrollees. Highly touted 5-Star, Ga’Quincy McKinstry will have the spring and summer to fight his way into the two-deep when fall camp starts.

Assuming Mac Jones makes a sound business decision and heads to the NFL, 4-Star quarterback, Jalen Milroe will be part of the battle to succeed Mac. Other new players enrolling early are Deontae Lawson, Keanu Koht, Ian Jackson, Robbie Ouzts, Caden Clark and as mentioned up top, Monkell Goodwine.

Twelve members of the 2021 Crimson Tide Signing Class will enroll this summer. They too have a chance to make an impact next season.