Alabama Football: Three summer enrollees that could make an impact
Alabama Football has plenty of newcomers who are already on campus making an impact, from the class of 2024 recruits to the latest transfer portal additions. True freshmen such as defensive back Zay Mincey, wide receiver Caleb Odom, and offensive lineman Casey Poe have looked good early, as have transfers like quarterback Austin Mack and defensive backs Keon Sabb and Domani Jackson.
While the players that are on campus for spring practice will get ahead of the learning curve, Alabama has some very talented additions that won’t be in town until the summer. Could any of these summer enrollees acclimate fast enough to make an impact on the field this fall?
Ryan Williams might be the best player in Bama’s 2024 recruiting class regardless of position. The electric in-state wide receiver reclassified from 2025 to join Kalen DeBoer and company in Tuscaloosa, after having previously committed to Nick Saban. The general consensus among just about anybody who has scouted Williams is that he will eventually become a game-changing player at the collegiate level; the only question is how quickly he can do so.
Ryan Williams will be just 17 years old for the entirety of the 2024 season, but he might just be special enough to be a year-one impact player for the Crimson Tide.
4-star edge Noah Carter was one of the most explosive pass-rushers in the 2024 class. Previously committed to Washington, Carter opted to follow Coach DeBoer to Alabama. He will likely play the Wolf position, where he joins a crowded room that will only put one player on the field in Bama’s base defense. As a result, Noah Carter’s path to playing time is murkier than that of Ryan Williams.
Still, Carter is likely one of the best athletes in this position group. He will learn from vets like Quandarrius Robinson and Keanu Koht, and could possibly carve out a role as a third-down pass-rushing specialist.
4-star receiver Amari Jefferson gives the Tide yet another playmaker on the perimeter. Alabama has a lot of talent at the wide receiver position, but does not return a lot of production and offers plenty of opportunities for playing time. Jefferson is a two-sport star who doubles as a baseball standout, and he will have a chance to make an impact on the gridiron in Kalen DeBoer’s receiver-friendly offense.
Other summer enrollees that could find their way onto the field include receiver Rico Scott, Canadian defensive lineman Steve Mboumoua, and in-state linebacker QB Reese. At the least, these freshmen could potentially be useful on special teams as they try to crack the rotation at their respective positions.