Alabama football has a strong roster in a lot of ways
As always, Alabama football will have one of the strongest rosters in all of college football. Last year, they had the best receiving corps alongside the best running back. Surtain was DB1 in the eyes of most, and Mac Jones was a Heisman finalist. This year, all of that talent is off of the roster.
Alabama will have three returning starters from last year’s healthy depth chart on offense, but they bring in key rotation players as well. Chris Owens was a rotational lineman, and Slade Bolden filled in for Jaylen Waddle early in the year. Billingsley was technically second behind Miller Forristall, but he can be viewed as a starter this year.
With so many returning stars, where will Alabama football be strongest? What position groups will be weak?
On offense, the offensive line is easily the strongest unit as a whole. Evan Neal is ready to take over at left tackle, and Alabama brings in the best recruiting class ever from an offensive line perspective. They have veteran players and young talent, and everything should be in perfect balance.
While there is no dark spot on the offense, the quarterback position has the least amount of experience. Still, this position group has what it takes to be elite. Bryce Young is an incredible talent, so this could easily be Alabama’s strongest position group by the end of the year.
On defense, Alabama will easily have the best group of linebackers in the country. Will Anderson could lead the country in sacks at outside linebacker, and Christian Harris returns for his third year as a starter on the inside. Chris Allen returns as well, and Henry To’o To’o will be great as a starting inside linebacker. This could be the best linebacking corps since 2016 for Alabama football.
The closest thing Alabama has to a defensive weakness is on the defensive line. The secondary returns every starter except for Surtain. While the defensive line is deep, someone will have to step up as the top-level lineman to replace Christian Barmore. There are plenty of great players, but one must turn elite.
For Alabama, the weakest position group is still better than most teams in the SEC. Still, this is where the roster stands.