Alabama Football: 3 interesting position battles this spring

Which Alabama football positions have battles?

Alabama football is looking for revenge after losing in the National Championship last season, but they have to improve the roster. With multiple stars heading to the NFL on both sides of the ball, there are some gaping holes on the Tide’s depth chart.

Many of these gaps have been filled with underclassmen or transfers, but not all of them are settled. Heading into the spring, there are a few position battles that will take over the team.

If Alabama football is going to win another ring, they have to have positive outcomes with these position battles. We’ll have a better idea of what to expect after scrimmages, but here are the main position battles right now.

3. Left Tackle

Alabama football had one of the best left tackles in college football last year, but Evan Neal is off to the NFL. Thankfully, the Tide also recruited multiple tackle prospects in 2021. It now comes down to who takes over as the starter. Will JC Latham win the job? Can Tommy Brockermeyer beat him out? Will Javion Cohen make the switch to tackle? What about Damieon George?

Alabama needs two starting tackles, but left tackle will be the bigger battle. With the interior set, the success of the line will come down to these two positions.

2. Who replaces Christian Harris?

Returning Henty To’o To’o is huge, but Alabama still has one inside linebacker missing from last year’s team. Replacing Christian Harris will help determine Alabama football’s ceiling in 2022. So, who will be that guy?

Unless Alabama lands another transfer, Jaylen Moody is the frontrunner to win the job. However, he will face competition with Deontae Lawson and Demouy Kennedy. Other underclassmen may rise through the ranks, but the battle between Moody and Lawson will be crucial. However, it does not matter who wins. It just matters that one of these players is capable of being a starting inside linebacker for Alabama football.

1. Who is the STAR?

This battle has taken place over the past two seasons. Malachi Moore started as a slot corner for the Tide, but injuries and inconsistencies saw him miss time this year. Brian Branch lived up to the hype in his absence, and we now have two slot corners with starting experience.

The loser of this battle will see time as a rotational safety and a slot corner on the other side of the field, but this is an intriguing matchup.

We also have questions surrounding the depth chart at receiver and who will crack the rotation on the defensive line, but these starting battles will be the focal point of spring practices.