Following the Sugar Bowl on New Years Eve, Alabama football will have several players that will officially announce their intentions for next season. The Crimson Tide has draft-eligible players on both sides of the ball that will have to make decisions regarding whether they will pursue professional options or return to school.
Among the most important decisions are those of running back Jahmyr Gibbs, defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe, and defensive backs Brian Branch and Eli Ricks.
Eboigbe is a senior, and Gibbs, Branch, and Ricks are all juniors who are considered borderline first-round draft picks. For the moment, we should assume that they are all departing from the program after the bowl game. None of these exits are a sure thing, however, and the decisions of these four players could be critical to the 2023 team’s success. Should Alabama football retain any of them, the roster will receive a huge boost going into next season.
Alabama Football: RB Jahmyr Gibbs
Jahmyr Gibbs transferred in from Georgia Tech last offseason, and immediately factored in as a starter at the running back position. In 2022, he led Alabama with 850 rushing yards in the regular season. He will have the opportunity to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark in the Tide’s bowl game. Gibbs also has a team-high 42 receptions for 378 yards. He has amassed 1,455 all-purpose yards and 10 total touchdowns so far in his junior season.
Jahmyr Gibbs’ ability as a multi-purpose threat makes him appealing to NFL GMs. He is an elusive runner with home-run speed that can run through arm tackles and make defenders miss in space. He also provides great value as a receiver and a kick returner, and has improved in pass protection.
Gibbs is widely considered to be one of the top running backs in the draft. Should he return, he could potentially be a Heisman candidate as the feature back in an offense that will be breaking in a new quarterback. If he opts to enter the draft, Alabama football should be fine at running back. The Crimson Tide would still return three blue-chip running backs, and will bring in two more in its 2023 recruiting class.
Alabama Football: DL Justin Eboigbe
Senior defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe appeared to be on the way to his best season yet in Tuscaloosa. Eboigbe made a big impact through the first four games before suffering a neck injury that required season-ending surgery. Prior to the injury, he recorded 11 tackles and provided invaluable leadership on the defensive line.
Should he return in 2023, he would be an established commodity on a relatively young defensive front. Fellow seniors Byron Young and DJ Dale have already announced their intention to declare for the NFL draft, so snaps will be available.
Players such as Tim Smith and Jamil Burroughs saw increased reps due to Eboigbe’s injury. Jah-Marien Latham and Damon Payne also saw time down the stretch in the regular season.
Nose guard Jaheim Oatis could be ready for a breakout season, and classmates Khurtiss Perry and Isaiah Hastings could play their way into the rotation as well. In the 2023 class, 5-star James Smith could be an instant impact player on the interior defensive line.
Alabama has a lot of young depth on the defensive line, and competition projects to be fierce in the position room. Eboigbe’s steadying veteran presence would be of great value.
Defensive backs Brian Branch and Eli Ricks would make an enormous difference should they opt to return. Both are impact players that could fundamentally change the 2023 Alabama defense with their experience and skillsets.
Alabama Football: Safety Brian Branch
Brian Branch was the best defensive back on the team, and one of the best defenders in the country in 2022. He was snubbed from All-SEC honors, but was named a second team All-American by the Associated Press. Heading into the bowl game, the versatile Branch has 78 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, two sacks, an interception, and seven pass breakups.
Branch can effectively play either safety position, but most often lines up in the slot in Bama’s nickel package. He is extremely disruptive and is adept at blitzing and playing in the box. If he returns for his senior year, he would give Alabama football a lot of flexibility in the secondary. As it stands, fellow veterans Malachi Moore, Kristian Story, and Devonta Smith will be in the mix for starting roles. The incoming freshmen class, led by 5-star Caleb Downs, will also make a splash.
Alabama Football: CB Eli Ricks
Cornerback Eli Ricks saw limited reps this season due to multiple injuries and other obstacles. He has started just four games this season and made seven tackles, yet his draft grade remains high. Ricks was able to display his freakish athletic traits and superior coverage skills in his opportunities this season.
Should he return in 2023 and be available to Alabama in a full-time capacity, he could raise the ceiling of the Crimson Tide defense. In theory, Ricks would combine with Kool-Aid McKinstry to give Alabama a lockdown cornerback tandem. Terrion Arnold, Jahquez Robinson, and a wealth of young talent would provide depth behind the pair.
The 2023 roster for Alabama football is still very much in flux, and there will be lots of questions answered following the Sugar Bowl. Jahmyr Gibbs, Justin Eboigbe, Brian Branch, and Eli Ricks could all go pro after this season, but could also return and raise their stock.
This quartet will make some of the most important decisions regarding Alabama’s roster outlook for next season.