Alabama Football: Biggest impact from new players next fall
By Ronald Evans
Kendrick Law or Jamarion Miller
For this pair, ‘or’ is likely more accurate than ‘and’. Law can play multiple positions and might settle in on either side of the ball. His outstanding speed suggests he will play on offense, either at wide receiver or running back. At this point. the prediction is Law will be at running back. Without more exits at running back than Brian Robinson Jr., at most, one freshman running back gets into the mix.
Jase McClellan, Trey Sanders, Roydell Williams and Camar Wheaton may get almost all the snaps next season. But as receivers out of the backfield, there might be an opening for one of the true freshmen.
Law is labeled the speedster and Jamarion Miller as more of a power runner. Both players have a complete package of running back skills. If any of the four returning backs make a Portal move, Law or Miller have a good opportunity to be in the rotation next fall.
Why not include Emmanuel Henderson in this running back ‘or’ grouping? Henderson has the potential to be a Crimson Tide star, but his somewhat lanky body will need some bulk first.
Ty Simpson
No, Ty Simpson is not going to compete for the starting job that belongs to Bryce Young. He will however compete with Jalen Milroe for the QB2 slot. Milroe is likely to win the competition, but Simpson will push Milroe as Paul Tyson has not been able to do consistently.
Nick Saban’s praise of Simpson is above the norm for an incoming player. In recent comments, Saban was almost effusive.
"I just absolutely love the guy, his character…He’s got all the right stuff, and I think that’s really important in the quarterback position."
Simpson will have to earn future praise. The Crimson Tide will need him to develop quickly. If Bryce Young were to miss time from an injury, a third QB must be ready.
Alabama football fans can watch the development of these guys in the spring. Next summer another group of talented players will arrive, all believing they can make an immediate impact.
Additional new Crimson Tide players via the Transfer Portal could mean this post will need an update.