As most Alabama football fans know, until the Monday of the first game week, depth charts are projections derived without one item of official information from the Alabama football staff. To Nick Saban, spring and even fall camp, projected depth charts are worse than laughable – they are insulting.
Jumping into the breach of the unknown is necessary for fans to develop a sense of progress toward next fall’s Middle Tennessee game.
What we already know is the 2023 season is not a good one for Crimson Tide fans to brag Nick Saban is reloading the roster. In some position groups, a correct description is rebuilding. This is not to mean the Crimson Tide roster is lacking in talent. It has talents in bunches. What it does not have, is much returning experience.
According to ESPN’s Bill Connelly, Alabama returns just 40% of its production from the 2022 season. That percentage puts Alabama at No. 125 among the 133 FBS teams. The limited levels of meaningful playing experience are on both sides of the ball, with a somewhat larger rebuilding burden on defense. For example, in the Crimson Tide’s base nickel defense, new starters are needed at six key positions; Jack Linebacker, Mike Linebacker, Cornerback, Star, Free Safety and Strong Safety. Since Alabama rotates its defensive front, the exact count of new starters needed on defense varies, but suffice it to say, Alabama will play with eight new defensive starters in 2023.
From 247Sports, here is added perspective on defensive production lost from 2022. The Tide’s eight top tacklers in 2022 combined for 563 tackles. One player in that group returns; Dontae Lawson, with 51, 2022 tackles.
A first look at a projected depth chart is provided below. It will need updated many times before the offseason turns into late August.
Alabama Football Pre-Spring Defensive Depth Chart
Projected starters are shown in bold
- Defensive End – Justin Eboigbe; J.C. Latham; James Smith
- Nose Guard – Jaheim Oatis; Jamil Burroughs; Tim Keenan
- Defensive End – Tim Smith; Daron Payne; TBD
- Mike Linebacker – Deontae Lawson; Trezmen Marshall
- Will Linebacker – Jihaad Campbell; Kendall Blackshire
- Jack Linebacker – Chris Braswell; Jeremiah Alexander
- Sam Linebacker – Dallas Turner; Quandarrius Robinson
- Cornerback – Kool-Aid McKinstry; Antonio Kite or Tre’Quon Fegans
- Cornerback – Terrion Arnold or Earl Little Jr.
- Star – Malachi Moore; Jahquez Robinson
- Safety – Caleb Downs or Terrion Arnold
- Safety – Kristian Story or Terrion Arnold
- Money – Devonta Smith or Arnold or Story
Alabama Football Pre-Spring Defensive Depth Chart
- Quarterback – 1A) Jalen Milroe, 1B) Ty Simpson; Eli Holstein or Dylan Lonergan
- Running Back – Jase McClellan; Roydell Willaims; Jam Miller; Justice Haynes
- Wide Receiver – Ja’Cory Brooks; Kendrick Law
- Wide Receiver – Malik Benson; Isaiah Bond
- Slot Receiver – Jermaine Burton; Kobe Prentice
- Tight End – CJ Dippre; Robbie Ouzts; Amari Niblack
- Left Tackle –JC Latham; TBD
- Left Guard – Kadyn Proctor; TBD
- Center – Seth McLaughlin or Darrian Dalcourt
- Right Guard – Tyler Booker; TBD
- Right Tackle – Elijah Pritchett; TBD
There are several contenders at wide receiver and on the offensive line that could shoulder their way into a spring depth chart.