Every year, each college football roster has its share of under-the-radar players — the ones quietly building momentum long before fans and national media take notice. While most of the spotlight naturally shines on incoming five-star talent, returning starters, and the obvious names from the previous fall, these players grind behind the scenes — stacking reps, earning trust, and making it hard for coaches to keep them off the field.
After nearly a month filled with intense competition across almost every position group during nine spring practices at Alabama, that same trend is on full display. Three players, in particular, immediately stand out in my mind as under-the-radar camp risers. While they may not be household names yet, their spring performances thus far have been impossible to ignore. Each brings hunger in flashes that could earn them extended snaps in the Tide's upcoming two-hour A-Day scrimmage on April 11th.
3 slept on players who've started to emerge this spring for Alabama
1. Mal Waldrep Jr — Interior Offensive Lineman:
Outside of the quarterback position, the Crimson Tide's offensive line has been under the most scrutiny this spring. And with Kalen DeBoer and second-year offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb both growing comfortable with the idea of starting Cal Poly transfer Racin Delgaty at center, alongside projected left tackle Jackson Lloyd and shifting returning starter Michael Carroll to right guard, Waldrep has emerged as a true contender in the starting lineup.
“Mal has been in with the twos, but he has rotated with the ones,” DeBoer highlighted last Friday after Waldrep had a nice showing in Alabama's first scrimmage. “He had an injury at the end of the year, but it is really good to see him. He is really picking things up, and he’s gaining more confidence.”
This report speaks volumes for the former three-star guard recruit heading into his redshirt freshman campaign. Waldrep Jr. first saw action in two games against ULM and Eastern Illinois in 2025, serving as a scout-team player before his injury. With a year now under his belt, at 6-foot-5 and 322 pounds, Waldrep has the size and physical tools to carve out a real role this as a rotational player if he continues refining his technique and consistency in practice, giving DeBoer, Grubb and newly hired Tide offensive line coach Adrian Klemm more confidence in him heading into the season.
2. Trae'Shawn Brown — Running Back:
With so much attention surrounding Alabama's offensive line and the crop of running backs who'll be toting the rock behind them, it's easy for a true freshman like Brown to get lost in the shuffle. Instead, the talented three-star recruit has quietly used this spring to make an early impression. Despite arriving on campus in the shadow of fellow freshman and five-star tailback EJ Crowell, Brown has already flashed burst, patience, and the maturity needed to compete in a deep Tide RB room that includes older backs Daniel Hill, Kevin Riley, and AK Dear.
Alabama freshman RB Trae’shawn Brown (@TraeshawnBrown) is a name that fans should become familiar with.
— Crimson Coverage (@CrimsonCoverage) April 1, 2026
Since arriving on campus, Brown has emerged as a potential candidate for significant playing time in Alabama’s backfield.
Early intel out of Tuscaloosa has been positive… pic.twitter.com/YRrNrBbAeU
What has stood out most about the 5-foot-10, 190-pound Huntsville, Texas native is his attention to detail. Coaches and teammates have consistently emphasized his ability to quickly pick up assignments and handle the small responsibilities that often keep freshmen off the field. “Trae’shawn is a young guy, just coming in, knowing what he’s supposed to do, doing the little things," Hill said previously on Monday.
Even DeBoer has taken notice of Brown's work ethic this spring. While he hasn't singled out specific plays, DeBoer praised the running back room as a whole for showing growth and consistency, noting that young running backs who stay assignment-sound and do the little things "earn more opportunities to see the field". For Brown, that means continued focus on fundamentals and maintaining his poise in practice could translate into meaningful snaps this fall if needed.
3. Steve Bolo Mboumoua — Defensive Lineman:
On the defensive side of the ball, while much of the preseason chatter around Alabama's front seven has centered around standouts like Yhonzae Pierre, Justin Hill, Devan Thompkins, and Terrance Green, Mboumoua's name continues to surface. Entering his second season in Tuscaloosa, Mboumoua saw action in just three games last year, recording five tackles, despite being rated the top JUCO defensive lineman in the 2025 cycle. With London Simmons sidelined this spring, the 6-foot-4, 301-pounder has been getting extended reps, steadily building confidence and taking advantage of the additional opportunities to make an impact. If he continues to build off this energy, Mboumoua could emerge as a key rotational piece that Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack can exploit against opposing offenses at any down notice.
All in all, these three players illustrate just how much depth and talent Alabama has beyond the household names. Which is why, as spring winds down, I advise Crimson Tide fans to keep an eye on Waldrep, Brown, and Mboumoua at A-Day, because their continued development could potentially earn them meaningful roles in games at some point during this fall.