Alabama looking for a difference maker at the tight end position

Alabama heads into 2024 with a lot of tight end depth, but lacks a proven difference-maker that can give opposing defenses fits. Seniors CJ Dippre and Robbie Ouzts will likely reside at the top of the depth chart, and should provide the Tide offense with some stability at the position. Both veterans are punishing blockers and have reliable hands, but have never been major playmakers.

Dippre transferred in from Maryland last year and made 11 grabs for 187 yards. He was a formidable weapon for the Terrapins, recording 30 catches for 314 yards and three scores in 2022. He played a smaller role for the Tide in 2023 as Amari Niblack generated most of the receiving production from the tight end position. While Dippre played a ton and was pretty effective, he wasn’t commonly used as a receiver. 

Ouzts has been a key piece in the Alabama offense for the last three years. A rugged and physical football player, Ouzts displays surprising versatility and has been deployed as both a tight end and a fullback throughout his career. He excels as a blocker at the point of attack, but has also made 8 career catches for 84 yards and scored his first career touchdown last season. 

With Niblack gone, Dippre and Ouzts could see their usage rates go up. It is equally likely, however, that a third tight end emerges as a pass-catching weapon. Danny Lewis Jr. generated a lot of preseason buzz last year, but did not see the field very often as Alabama's fourth tight end. His 2024 offseason has been pretty quiet comparatively, but the redshirt sophomore is a well-rounded player who will be looking for an expanded role. 

Washington transfer Josh Cuevas is a dark horse candidate to be a major factor in the Alabama offense. Though he made just four catches for the Huskies last year, they all went for big yardage. Additionally, Cuevas has a proven track record of being a playmaking receiver, albeit at lower levels. He was highly productive both in high school and in his redshirt freshman season at Cal Poly, and could parlay that experience into success in Tuscaloosa. 

With highly-touted true freshman Caleb Odom making the move to wide receiver, there is an obvious need for a receiving target to emerge from the Alabama tight end room. Though the order is to be determined, it’s a pretty safe bet that Dippre, Ouzts, Lewis Jr., and Cuevas will be the top four in the rotation. Behind them, redshirt freshman Ty Lockwood and true freshman Jay Lindsay are still in the developmental stages of their collegiate careers. 

Will Dippre’s usage begin to mirror what he got at Maryland? Will Danny Lewis Jr. finally crack the rotation and become a red zone weapon? Or will Cuevas, perhaps Alabama’s least-celebrated transfer pickup this offseason, have a breakout season and continue his Cinderella story of a career?

One of these scenarios will have to come to fruition for the Alabama offense to reach its potential, so this will be one of the most fascinating rooms to track throughout fall camp.