Alabama Football: Five freshmen with best chance to start
By Ronald Evans
To start early, a freshman must impress in fall camp scrimmages, and show the Crimson Tide coaching staff he can be counted on. Consistently ‘doing their job’ must be the focus of young players. No matter how much talent they possess, Nick Saban demands dependability.
For most incoming freshmen, earning a first-game starting role in one of the standard offense and defense position groups is a major challenge. Will Anderson Jr. and Malachi Moore did it last season. Both followed those starts with outstanding freshman seasons.
Alabama Football 2021 True Freshmen
Nick Saban added 28 freshmen in the 2021 class. That total does not include JUCO transfer Khyree Jackson but does include Caden Clark, whose Crimson Tide career was delayed for a year because of a high school injury. The number also includes the Crimson Tide’s newest punter. The Australian, James Burnip has actually never played in an American-style football game.
How many of the 28 freshmen from the 2021 class have a chance to start against Miami? More than a few is the best answer until fall camp reveals the true contenders. Historically, the early enrollees in each class have a big advantage over the players who do not arrive in Tuscaloosa in the summer. A June arrival did not stop Malachi Moore from starting last season’s opener against Missouri.
Crimson Tide fans are bullish on several freshmen players who are expected to make an impact in the 2021 season.