With three weeks in the books, it's time to replace what we think we knew in the preseason with what on-field performance has told us.
Some Alabama players have been pleasant surprises one quarter of the way through the regular season. Others have disappointed, and could see their roles reduced further as the season continues to progress.
What better time than the bye week to examine those players and what we might see moving forward.
Stock up and stock down for six Alabama football players
Up: RB Kevin Riley
With Jam Miller suffering a dislocated collarbone and missing the first three games, Alabama needed a RB to step up. Nobody expected it to be redshirt freshman Kevin Riley, who seemed to enter the season as the No. 5 RB on the depth chart, with many believing it was only a matter of time before he also got passed up by true freshman AK Dear.
Instead, Riley was the third RB on the field against Florida State after Richard Young and Daniel Hill. His play against the Seminoles led him to start the next two games against UL Monroe and Wisconsin.
Through three weeks, Riley is Alabama's leading rusher with 120 yards on 23 carries. He's also tied for second on the team with 10 receptions, turning those into 77 yards. Even with Jam Miller expecting to return next week against Georgia, Riley has earned a role in the offense moving forward.
Down: RB Richard Young
Riley's emergence has come at the expense - and because of - Richard Young. While Young has made major strides as a pass blocker, he's been a disappointment with the ball in his hands. He came into the season as the presumed RB2 behind Miller, and earned his first career start against Florida State with Miller sidelined.
But the former 5-star recruit has turned 19 carries into just 48 yards (2.5 yards per) through the season's first three weeks. Young now looks likely to be the No. 3 RB in the rotation once Miller returns next week.
He'll still have a role, particularly because of his ability as a blocker, but it's going to be much smaller than he hoped in his third season in Tuscaloosa.
Up: WR Lotzeir Brooks
The true freshman looked like a future star the moment he stepped on campus in the spring. An injury during fall camp slowed his development, but he has emerged as a legitimate weapon for the Alabama offense over the last two games.
After being held catchless against Florida State in a limited role, Brooks has seen a lot more snaps the last two games, turning six receptions into 88 yards. He's not only WR4, but probably more of a co-starter with Isaiah Horton now.
Brooks's ability in the slot allows Ryan Williams to play inside and out. When Williams is on the outside, Brooks will be the third WR in the formation with him and Germie Bernard. When Williams plays the slot, Horton plays in his spot on the outside.
As good as the freshman has looked, the best is yet to come.
Down: WR Rico Scott
Perhaps this designation is a bit unfair. Scott has been solid, producing five receptions for 53 yards and a touchdown, but he came into the season as seemingly the unquestioned WR4 behind the trio of Williams, Bernard, and Horton. Now, Scott has seen his playing time decrease. That's not really any fault of his own; it's a byproduct of how talented Brooks is.
Scott will still have some opportunities, and Alabama will need him to stay ready when his number is called. Kalen DeBoer likes to rotate bodies, so Scott will still find some meaningful playing time. It'll be up to him to take advantage of it.
Up: DL London Simmons
Alabama was always going to need a young player or two on the defensive line to emerge. It was perhaps the biggest depth concern for the Tide entering the season. That became more worrisome with Tim Keenan's sprained ankle and the season-ending injury to Keenan's backup, redshirt freshman Jeremiah Beaman.
True freshman London Simmons has made major strides game by game. He saw a big role in his first game against Florida State, and now has started the last two weeks with Beaman out. Simmons recorded his first sack last week against Wisconsin and was a total game-wrecker against the Badgers.
Even with Keenan expected back next week, Simmons will still play a pivotal role moving forward. His continued development will be key for the entire defensive line.
Down: DL Kelby Collins
Florida transfer Kelby Collins was expected to be an immediate contributor for Alabama's defensive line this season. Instead, Collins has struggled to get on the field. Through three games, Collins has registered just 34 snaps, the vast majority of which have come in garbage time.
Collins is a veteran that Alabama was counting on to provide meaningful playing time this season, particularly with all the underclassmen on the depth chart. There's still time for Collins to get there - and opportunities will surely arise for him to take advantage of, but thus far, the Gardendale native has not lived up to the hype he came to Tuscaloosa with.