Alabama Football Position Group Countdown: Looking for proof

In part two of this series ranking the position groups at Alabama, we will assess three positions that return significant experience in some capacity, but still don’t have a lot of proven production at the SEC level. 

Yesterday’s conversation heavily involved the Alabama secondary, which was swiftly boltered by the late night transfer acquisition of former Michigan safety Keon Sabb. Hopefully, today’s breakdown will bring more good fortune, though I doubt any of the position groups listed below need any additonal help. 

9. Tight end

Alabama has a lot of bodies in its tight end room, but it does not have a proven commodity in terms of a reliable pass-catcher. This is a veteran group that should provide excellent blocking and leadership, and there are plenty of capable options that could emerge as receivers. This could be one of the better position groups on the team by season’s end. 

Bama returns seniors CJ Dippre and Robbie Ouzts, both of whom saw significant playing time last season. The pair combined to make 14 grabs for 220 yards and a touchdown in 2023, and also served as key cogs in the running game. Dippre and Ouzts are also effective perimeter blockers and helped to spark the Tide’s screen game.

Redshirt sophomore Danny Lewis Jr. could be the dark horse in this room. Lewis Jr. has not played much at Alabama, but he is probably the closest thing on the roster to a true dual-threat tight end. That is to say, he is probably the best blocker of the receiving tight ends and the best receiver of the blocking tight ends. If the tight end position truly becomes a strength for Alabama, I think it would mean that Danny Lewis Jr. has emerged as a key weapon.

The tight end room also includes redshirt freshman Ty Lockwood, true freshmen Caleb Odom and Jay Lindsey, and the Tide’s latest transfer portal addition in former Washington tight end Josh Cuevas.