While certain players have dominated the headlines for Alabama football in fall camp, others have been performing well and positioning themselves for significant roles in 2026 despite not getting the same kind of attention.
These players will be critically important, too. You always need guys to step up as pivotal X-factors for your team. For Kalen DeBoer in year three, with as young as the Crimson Tide will be this season, it's vital.
So outside of the names you've heard about all fall camp like Keelon Russell, Trae'shawn Brown, etc., let's take a look at a few players who won't be flying under the radar for much longer.
5 under-the-radar Alabama players poised to breakout in 2026
5. LB Luke Metz
Sophomore linebacker Luke Metz has had a terrific fall camp and has himself positioned to start at off-ball linebacker next to Virginia Tech transfer Caleb Woodson. Junior QB Reese was the favorite for that spot coming out of spring practice, but Metz has been undeniable in camp, earning rave reviews from both Kalen DeBoer and Kane Wommack.
Metz has been flying around, and he'll bring an aggressiveness and intensity to the middle of the defense. With an improved defensive line, Metz and the rest of the linebackers will be freed up to go make plays.
4. CB Carmelo O'Neal
In a "Moneyball" approach, you have to find some impactful players in the Transfer Portal who don't cause you to break the bank. That's what Alabama has found in Mercer transfer Carmelo O'Neal. The 6-foot-4 CB has had a strong camp, and while he's not positioned for a starting role with Zabien Brown and Dijon Lee firmly entrenched, he's a quality piece of depth for the Crimson Tide.
O'Neal's addition became even more pivotal in camp with injuries to Jorden Edmonds and Nick Sherman. Having some experienced depth behind the starting tandem is a nice luxury for Wommack's defense.
3. WR Derek Meadows
Opportunity is knocking for sophomore WR Derek Meadows, particularly after the injury in spring to NC State transfer Noah Rogers, which will cause him to miss at least a few games. Meadows has been competing with junior Rico Scott and freshman Cederian Morgan for the WR3 spot next to Ryan Coleman-Williams and Lotzeir Brooks.
Safe money is on Scott "starting," but there's little doubt that Meadows is going to be in a position to make a substantial impact in his second season in Tuscaloosa.
Meadows is a big-bodied target who will be helpful for Keelon Russell, particularly in the redzone.
2. TE Josh Ford
When we look back at this season in retrospect, Oklahoma State transfer TE Josh Ford probably won't have put up massive numbers. But he might end up being the most impactful transfer on the team.
Alabama's TE room has been one of the biggest bright spots of fall camp, and Ford's ability as an in-line blocker will be critical as the Crimson Tide looks to fix a broken run game. He'll play a similar role to the one Robbie Ouzts played for DeBoer and Ryan Grubb during the 2024 season.
He'll also make some plays in the passing game, but his real impact will be felt by putting defenders on their butts and opening up seams for the running backs to get through.
1. S Dre Kirkpatrick Jr.
Alabama is loaded at safety and returns both starters from last season in Bray Hubbard and Keon Sabb. It also has Zay Mincey and Ivan Taylor, who are in line for snaps. But it is still going to be difficult to keep Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. off the field.
Kirkpatrick is just a playmaker with a knack for getting his hands on the football. He grabbed a pick-six in Thursday's scrimmage, continuing the trend of fall camp that has seen him consistently making plays.
Wommack will have to find creative ways to get him on the field. He's a game-changer, one capable of making the kind of plays that flip the script and swing games.
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