The Alabama football season gets underway this weekend at home against Utah State!
With considerable turnover on the offensive side, some might expect the high-powered Bill O’Brien offense to slow down after the departures of Evan Neal, Brian Robinson Jr., John Metchie III, and Jameson Williams.
But this is Nick Saban’s Alabama. There are incoming freshmen and rising sophomores who would be star players at most programs ready to shoulder the load!
In fact, I would say that the 2022 Bama offense could be better than last year’s group thanks to Bryce Young’s development, a re-tooled offensive line, and a plethora of running backs in the stable.
Alabama Football Honorable mentions
WRs Traeshon Holden and Kobe Prentice
The first depth chart of the season came with a couple of surprises, most notably at wide receiver.
With JoJo Earle out of action for the first month of the season with a foot injury, Bryce Young will look to a veteran pass-catcher and a true freshman to produce.
Holden – a rising junior – found a role in the offense last season where he racked up 21 catches for 239 yards and a touchdown. Holden has good size and is considered a possession wideout. He won’t blow you away with his speed or flashy plays, but his 6’3″ frame and strength at the top of routes should compliment WR1 Jermaine Burton on the other side and give the slot receivers some additional space, too.
With Earle sidelined, freshman speedster Kobe Prentice will lineup as the starting slot guy against Utah State Saturday night. Prentice runs a sub-4.4 second 40-yard dash and has received plenty of praise from his QB and coach during summer practice.
Bryce Young throwing an absolute dime to new starting slot receiver Kobe Prentice.
— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) August 30, 2022
This could be a potential special connection 👀 pic.twitter.com/liQVTdSYoR
“He’s had great energy,” Young said of Prentice. “He’s been able to make some dynamic plays for us in practices and scrimmages. He’s easy for everyone to work with.”
RB Jahmyr Gibbs
Everyone who follows Alabama football has seen Jahmyr Gibbs’ film with Georgia Tech. One of the hottest commodities in the transfer portal will now line up next to the defending Heisman Trophy winner.
Arriving as a junior with two years of experience under his belt in the ACC with the Yellow Jackets, Gibbs adds yet another scary element to the offense. As a freshman, the running back totaled 763 yards from scrimmage and 1,211 yards as a sophomore.
A consistent playmaker with Georgia Tech, Gibbs is just as good a receiver out of the backfield as he is a running back. It never hurts to have options!