Technically, no Alabama football player can lose a starting job during the spring. Or gain one either. Competition at every position will continue until sometime in August. What can be gained is pecking order status inside position groups. Ascending players gain the recognition of coaches and teammates.
Three Alabama veterans who might spend some of their spring looking over their shoulder are Jah-Marien Latham, Daniel Hill, and Conor Talty.
Latham missed most of last season with a neck injury. He will miss spring work but will return in the fall. After gaining a medical waiver for an added season of eligibility, Latham began his college career at Alabama in 2020. In the 2022-2024 seasons, Latham played in 39 games with 11 starts in the 2024 season. The situation is not that Latham will contribute, but with so much missed time and lots of talent around him, his fall snaps may be reduced well below the number in the 2024 season.
Some Alabama football fans will scoff at the prospect of Daniel Hill losing ground at running back. Hill will be key in what is always a running back rotation, but one or more of Kevin Riley, AK Dear, and freshman EJ Crowell could surpass Hill's snap count in the fall.
Most 'at risk' Alabama football player?
The third most 'at risk' Alabama veteran is placekicker Conor Talty. In three Alabama seasons, Talty has made 16-of-23 field goal attempts. He has had some glaring misses. The new kicker in Tuscaloosa is Irishman Lorcan Quinn. Quinn was 21-for-26 in field goals at Marshall last season. Four of the makes were outside of fifty yards, including a 55-yarder. Workout observers claim that Quinn has a leg capable of making 60-plus yarders. He has played only one year of American football. He played Gaelic football in Ireland.
Talty might be the Tide's shot-yardage kicker, with Quinn taking everything from 45 yards and out. Quinn would also be a good kickoff specialist option.
Through spring practice, during summer workouts, and fall camp, the competition for key roles will be intense. As it should always be, but also in certain position groups, because of weaknesses last season.