This will be hilariously wrong. Just keep that in mind before you continue reading. With 41 new players and a completely rebuilt offensive line, there's no way this is all that accurate. But I'm bored, and it'll be a fun exercise nonetheless.
Alabama could still add a player or two in the Transfer Portal - or in the 2026 high school class - but they are at 86 scholarship players right now, which is already one more than they carried this past season.
You can see a comprehensive roster breakdown by following this link.
Alabama's way-too-early 2026 Depth Chart projection
Quarterback:
Starter: Keelon Russell
Backup: Austin Mack
Depth: Jett Thomalla, Tayden Kaawa
All eyes in spring and fall camp will be on the QB competition between redshirt junior Austin Mack and redshirt freshman Keelon Russell. It will be a hotly contested battle, and while Mack likely has the early edge after spending the season as Ty Simpson's top backup, I lean toward Russell rising ahead and taking the reins as the starter in 2026.
Russell is special. Even in just two appearances during the 2025 season, you could see it. The ball comes out of his hand differently from others. He gives me the same feeling I got from watching freshman Bryce Young when he was Mac Jones' backup during the 2020 season.
And if Russell is that good, Mack would have to be darn-near perfect to hold off the phenom.
Running Back:
Starter: Daniel Hill
Backup: EJ Crowell or AK Dear or Kevin Riley
Depth: Trae'shawn Brown
Running back was a position Alabama tried to add an impact player in the Transfer Portal, but after seeing Hollywood Smothers flip his commitment to Texas, Kalen DeBoer and the staff never pushed for anyone else. Offensive line improvements were the top priority, and they are banking on improvement from the returning players - as well as freshman EJ Crowell - to help the room take a big step forward in 2026.
Hill is the safe bet to start, at least to begin the season. But don't be surprised to see that spot ripped away by the freshman Crowell, who is easily the most talented running back to come through Tuscaloosa since Jahmyr Gibbs. Redshirt freshman AK Dear and redshirt sophomore Kevin Riley will also fight for carries, while Trae'shawn Brown, a late addition to the 2026 class, is a redshirt candidate.
Wide Receiver:
Starters: Ryan Williams, Lotzeir Brooks, Noah Rogers
Backups: Rico Scott, Derek Meadows, Cederian Morgan
Depth: MJ Chirgwin, MJ Mathis
Two of the three starting spots for Alabama at WR are secured between Ryan Williams and Lotzeir Brooks. Williams had an up-and-down sophomore season, but should be in line for a major bounce-back in 2026. Brooks was a breakout freshman star for the Crimson Tide and the hero of the Crimson Tide's playoff win at Oklahoma.
The No. 3 spot will be hotly contested. I think NC State transfer Noah Rogers is the favorite for now, but redshirt sophomore Rico Scott, sophomore Derek Meadows, and incoming freshman Cederian Morgan will provide competition for the spot.
Tight End:
Starters: Kaleb Edwards, Danny Lewis Jr.
Backups: Josh Ford, Marshall Pritchett
Depth: Jay Lindsay, Jack Sammarco, Mack Sutter
Kaleb Edwards had to grow up quickly as a true freshman in 2025 due to various injuries that forced him into a starting role. Edwards played in all 15 games and started six of them. He'll likely take over full-time for Josh Cuevas next season. Redshirt senior Danny Lewis Jr. should start at the blocking TE role, assuming he can finally stay healthy.
Marshall Pritchett carved out a role as a freshman, too, and will compete for more playing time in his second season on campus. Oklahoma State transfer Josh Ford was the first portal addition for the Crimson Tide and will also push for time on the field.
Incoming freshman Mack Sutter is the most intriguing of the group. He was a Top 100 player in the 2026 class and could find a role as a true freshman.
Offensive Line:
LT:
Starter: Nick Brooks
Backup: Jackson Lloyd
LG:
Starter: Ethan Fields
Backup: Will Sanders
C:
Starter: Racin Delgatty
Backup: Kaden Strayhorn or Will Sanders
RG:
Starter: Kaden Strayhorn
Backup: Casey Poe
RT:
Starter: Michael Carroll
Backup: Ty Haywood
OL Depth: Mal Waldrep, Tyrell Miller, Chris Booker, Jared Doughty, Bryson Cooley, Bear Fretwell
I am comfortable with exactly one of these projections: Michael Carroll as the starting right tackle. The rest of the offensive line is a total guess and completely up for grabs during spring practice and fall camp.
Your guess is as good as mine at this point.
At left tackle, the staff is high on Jackson Lloyd after a first-year redshirt. But Texas transfer Nick Brooks started three games last season and has a slight edge in experience. Ty Haywood could also compete at LT, and JUCO transfer Tyrell Miller is a wildcard.
Most would probably lean toward Will Sanders, entering his third-year in the program, as the starter at LG, but Ole Miss transfer Ethan Fields is entering his fourth year of college football and was a coveted portal name.
Cal Poly transfer Racin Delgatty could prove to be one of the biggest portal wins for DeBoer and company. He's got a ton of experience, but it remains to be seen how he translates to a major increase in competition. Michigan transfer Kaden Strayhorn and Sanders are both options at center.
I like Strayhorn at RG next to Carroll. They have familiarity with each other from playing together at IMG Academy. Casey Poe, entering his third-year, will compete at both guard spots.
Haywood will push for a starting spot, but could be Alabama's sixth man on the offensive line next season. He can play anywhere but center, and his versatility will be pivotal.
Defensive Line:
Bandit:
Starter: Devan Thompkins
Backup: Desmond Umeozulu or Fatutoa Henry
Depth: Caleb Smith, Nolan Wilson, Jamarion Matthews, Malique Franklin
DT:
Starter: London Simmons
Backup: Edric Hill or Isaia Faga
Depth: Kamhariyan Johnson, Corey Howard
NT:
Starter: Terrance Green
Backup: Jeremiah Beaman
Depth: Kedrick Bingley-Jones, Steve Mboumoua
Alabama has a lot of combinations they could work on the defensive line, which as to be exciting for Kane Wommack. There's so much depth and interchangeable parts.
Oregon transfer Terrance Green should strictly be a nose, but the other two projected starters could play multiple positions. Based on Alabama's portal additions, USC transfer Devan Thompkins is likely going to play Bandit, at least on early downs as a run defender. He could shift inside to DT in obvious pass situations, allowing Alabama to get another pass rusher on the field. That's likely to be South Carolina transfer Desmond Umeozulu, though Fatutoa Henry should have a role this season, too.
London Simmons played a lot of nose for Alabama this season and will see snaps there again in 2026, but he's probably going to be the starter at DT, replacing James Smith. Simmons could slide to nose during passing downs, too, putting him and Thompkins on the interior with Yhonzae Pierre and Umeozulu on the edges. That's some pass-rushing prowess for four-man rushes.
Alabama has quite a bit of quality depth on the interior. Jeremiah Beaman was going to play a major role prior to the ACL tear, and Mississippi State transfer Kedrick Bingley-Jones has played a lot of snaps in his career. I'm also excited to see Steve Mboumoua next year; he's a breakout candidate.
Both Edric Hill and Isaia Faga were rotational DL guys this year, with Hill earning some starts in place of Smith. Overall, I think Alabama is in a better spot in 2026 on the defensive line.
Linebacker:
Wolf:
Starter: Yhonzae Pierre
Backup: Justin Hill
Depth: Jah-Marien Latham*, Xavier Griffin
Sting:
Starter: Caleb Woodson
Backup: Duke Johnson
Mike:
Starter: QB Reese
Backup: Cayden Jones
Off-ball LB Depth: Luke Metz, Abduall Sanders, Zay Hall
At Wolf, Yhonzae Pierre is an All-American candidate. Rising sophomore Justin Hill will be his top backup and should be capable of a big increase in snaps. The depth behind them is questionable, but could get an injection of experience if Jah-Marien Latham is granted a medical redshirt and a seventh year of eligibility. From a numbers standpoint, though I suspect his future is off-ball, incoming freshman Xavier Griffin seems likely to spend a lot of time at Wolf right away. Umeozulu could also see some snaps at Wolf, too.
Virginia Tech transfer Caleb Woodson should be locked into one of the starting spots off-ball. The competition is likely between QB Reese and Cayden Jones for the other spot; they were the first two linebackers off the bench in 2025 behind Deontae Lawson, Justin Jefferson, and Nikhai Hill-Green.
Defensive Back:
CB:
Starters: Zabien Brown, Dijon Lee
Backups: Chuck McDonald, Jorden Edmonds
Depth: Carmelo O'Neal, Nick Sherman, Zyan Gibson
Safety:
Starters: Bray Hubbard, Keon Sabb
Backups: Zay Mincey, Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. or Ivan Taylor
Depth: Jireh Edwards, Rihyael Kelley
Husky:
Starter: Red Morgan
Backup: Zay Mincey or Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. or Jireh Edwards or Ivan Taylor
Alabama's secondary is loaded with talent and depth. The five starting spots seem secured with Zabien Brown and Dijon Lee at corner, Bray Hubbard and Keon Sabb at safety, and Red Morgan at Husky, but there will be a lot of competition for playing time behind them.
At corner, Chuck McDonald should be in line for some playing time in his second year, and freshmen Jordan Edmonds and Zyan Gibson could find early roles. Mercer transfer Carmelo O'Neal is an intriguing prospect, too.
Zay Mincey, Dre Kirkpatrick Jr., and Ivan Taylor are all capable backups who could be relied upon as starters if an injury occurs. They will have a difficult time holding off 5-star freshman Jireh Edwards.
At Husky, I'm only confident in Morgan's spot. He made major strides as a sophomore and is the unquestioned starter going into spring practice. But who will back him up? I think Mincey, Kirkpatrick, Edwards, and Taylor are all early possibilities. Cross-training Brown or Lee is a possibility, too, especially if Edmonds comes in as ready to play as they both did as freshmen.