Alabama Football: Monday is Day One on the road to No. 19. Check out the 4th Quarter Program details and an update on 2021 roster numbers.
And so it begins for Alabama Football. Two weeks past a National Championship, the quest for the next one begins, in earnest. Nick Saban’s famed 4th Quarter Program starts on Monday with freshmen doing weight training.
The rest of the Crimson Tide roster begins weight training on Feb. 1. The full menu in the 4th Quarter Program kicks in for the freshmen on Feb. 15. The returning players are added to the full program on Feb. 21. Acknowledged as a key to Alabama Football success, the 4th Quarter Program finishes on Mar. 18. Players will then get some needed rest, followed by spring practice.
The 4th Quarter Program has been modified by Matt Rhea and Dr. David Ballou. It is not the same as when Scott Cochrane was in charge. It is still grueling and players still accurately describe it as a grind. Under the Tide’s new training and conditioning gurus, it is based more on the latest science of making players stronger, faster, quicker and more agile, while also building endurance.
A major offseason task for Nick Saban and the Alabama Football staff is roster management. It is never easy to reach the 85-player scholarship limit. One year changes, approved by the NCAA, make the task tougher in 2021.
In a response to COVID-19, the NCAA has granted every 2020 player an extra season to complete their athletic eligibility. That includes players, like Keilan Robinson, who opted out of the 2020 season. The result is players who would have been in their last season of eligibility in 2021 can return for 2021. The 85-player scholarship limitation will go up for each team, based on seniors or graduates deciding to return. For example, having already redshirted, plus given a medical redshirt season, Josh McMillon could have returned to the Crimson Tide for a seventh season. He decided it was time to move on.
Two Alabama football players, Brian Robinson Jr. and Chris Owen are taking advantage of the NCAA eligibility extension. There has been no definitive word on Ben Davis. Depending on Ben’s decision, the scholarship limit for the 2021 Alabama Crimson Tide will be 87 or 88.
Counting all three, plus other returning players and the ’21 signing class, the Crimson Tide roster is at 94 players. To avoid confusion, subtract Davis, Robinson and Owens from the scholarship count, and the Crimson Tide is at 91, six players over the limit. The 91 number does not include ’21 class commit, Camar Wheaton or an expected addition of two more players on National Signing Day. Those three probable additions would put the roster nine players over the limit.
What will happen? Nick Saban, as always, will make the numbers work. There will be more players enter the transfer portal over the next few months. There might be an injury-driven need for an incoming player to grayshirt in 2021 as Caden Clark did in 2020.
Alabama Football 2021 Roster
Defensive Backs (17)
- Jaylin Armour-Davis
- Brandon Turnage
- Jahquez Robinson
- Ronald Williams
- Marcus Banks
- Josh Jobe
- Ga’Quincy McKinstry
- Khyree Jackson
- Kristian Story
- Malachi Moore
- Brian Branch
- Kane Williams
- Kadarius Calloway
- Devonta Smith
- Daniel Wright
- DeMarcco Hellams
- Jordan Battle
Defensive Linemen (15)
- LaBryan Ray
- Byron Young
- Phidarian Mathis
- Stephon Wynn Jr.
- Justin Eboigbe
- Jamil Burroughs
- Braylen Ingraham
- Damon Payne
- Monkell Goodwine
- Tim Keenan
- Anquin Barnes
- Tim Smith
- D.J. Dale
- Jah-Marien Latham
- Dallas Turner (may play Jack linebacker)
Linebackers (18)
- Ben Davis
- Christian Harris
- Ale Kaho
- Chris Allen
- Shane Lee
- Demouy Kennedy
- Jaylen Moody
- Jarez Parks
- Jackson Bratton
- Quandarrius Robinson
- Chris Braswell
- Will Anderson Jr.
- Deontae Lawson
- Kendrick Blackshire
- Keanu Koht
- Drew Sanders
- Ian Jackson
- King Mwikuta
Offensive Linemen (17)
- Chris Owens
- Darrain Dalcourt
- Pierce Quick
- Emil Ekiyor Jr.
- Tommy Brown
- Amari Kight
- Seth McLaughlin
- Tanner Bowles
- Damieon George
- Tommy Brockermeyer
- James Brockermeyer
- J. C. Latham
- Javion Cohen
- Evan Neal
- Terrance Ferguson
- Jaedon Roberts
- Kendall Randolph
Tight Ends (6)
- Jahleel Billingsley
- Michael Parker
- Cameron Latu
- Major Tennison
- Caden Clark
- Robbie Ouzts
Wide Receivers (10)
- John Metchie
- Slade Bolden
- Xavier Williams
- Javon Baker
- Treashon Holden
- Thaiu Jones-Bell
- Jacorey Brooks
- Agiye Hall
- JoJo Earle
- Christian Leary
Running Backs (7)
- Brian Robinson Jr.
- Trey Sanders
- Jase McClellan
- Roydell Williams
- Kyle Edwards
- Keilan Robinson
- Camer Wheaton (Verbal Commit)
Quarterbacks (3)
- Bryce Young
- Paul Tyson
- Jalen Milroe
Kickers (4) not all on scholarship
- Will Reichard
- Skyler DeLong
- Tyler Perine
- Sam Johnson
The official Alabama Crimson Tide roster is available here.
Bama Hammer will report each official roster change as the Alabama Crimson Tide works it way to NCAA requirements.