Football season is almost here. Our long national nightmare is nearing its conclusion. Get your shopping, your honey-do lists, and side projects done. Get ready to fire up your grill, stock up your beer and snacks, and clear your calendar.
Alabama is on the practice field starting tomorrow to open fall camp. Year two of the Kalen DeBoer era is officially here, and the Crimson Tide will be looking for a major rebound from last season's 9-4 record and missing the College Football Playoff.
There's plenty of competition that will happen throughout camp as Alabama prepares for its season opener in Tallahassee against Florida State. Alabama still has unsettled position battles at various positions, including QB and LG.
The time for projection is nearly over. But let's take one last crack at projecting Alabama's depth chart for the 2025 season.
Alabama's projected depth chart for year two of the Kalen DeBoer era
Offense:
QB:
Starter: Ty Simpson
Backups: Austin Mack, Keelon Russell
The battle for the starting QB job will be the main storyline for Alabama in fall camp. But I'm afraid this one is pretty much all over but the shoutin'.
Ty Simpson enters fall camp with a commanding lead in the competition and has the faith, trust, and confidence of the coaching staff and his teammates. Both Austin Mack and Keelon Russell will push Simpson, but the competition is likely between which of them will ultimately be Simpson's backup.
Simpson will almost certainly take the first snaps against Florida State. But his performance when the lights are on will determine whether he keeps the job or not. His leash will be much shorter than Jalen Milroe's was a season ago.
Running Back:
Starter: Jam Miller
Backups: Richard Young, Daniel Hill, Dre Washington
Depth: Kevin Riley, AK Dear
Alabama needs more production from the backfield this season. Senior Jam Miller is the leader of the room and is in line to start, but he'll need to be more productive after averaging just 4.7 yards per carry last season.
With Justice Haynes transferring to Michigan, the RB2 role is up for grabs. While most assumed that rising junior Richard Young was a shoo-in for the role and an increased workload, sophomore Daniel Hill and Louisiana transfer Dre Washington will push him for work.
Freshman AK Dear is the wildcard of the backs. He was the No. 2 high school RB in the country last season, and could challenge for playing time in a crowded room.
Wide Receiver:
Starters: Ryan Williams, Germie Bernard, Isaiah Horton
Backups: Rico Scott, Lotzeir Brooks, Jalen Hale, Cole Adams
Depth: Jaylen Mbakwe, Derek Meadows, Bubba Hampton
Alabama's WR room is as deep and talented as it has been in quite some time, but there also seems to be an obvious pecking order for the starters and at least the top reserve. Sophomore Ryan Williams and senior Germie Bernard are returning starters from a season ago. Miami (FL) transfer Isaiah Horton should finally give Alabama the No. 3 option at WR it was missing last year.
While those three are widely expected to start, second-year WR Rico Scott is pushing for playing time. Those should be the four guys who lead the team in snaps at WR, but it may only be a matter of time before freshman Lotzeir Brooks carves out a role. Brooks was a revelation in spring practice, and will get touches this season.
Tight End:
Starters: Josh Cuevas, Brody Dalton
Backups: Danny Lewis Jr., Kaleb Edwards, Jack Sammarco
Depth: Jay Lindsay, Marshall Pritchett
Josh Cuevas and Danny Lewis Jr. should get plenty of work as receiving tight ends and will likely lead the room in targets. But I suspect Troy transfer Brody Dalton will be listed as a "starter" in the same role that Robbie Ouzts filled last season. He's more of a blocking tight end, and a guy they identified in the spring portal window who could contribute right away.
Dalton's primary backup in that role should be West Virginia transfer Jack Sammarco.
The room's wildcard is freshman Kaleb Edwards, who has the size to play immediately and withstand the rigors of SEC football. He could be a difference maker with his size and receiver-like skills.
Offensive Line:
Tackles:
Starters: Kadyn Proctor, Wilkin Formby
Backups: Jackson Lloyd, Olaus Alinen, Arkel Anugwom
Depth: Micah DeBose, Mal Waldrep
Kadyn Proctor should evolve into one of the best left tackles in the country, and Wilkin Formby should take a significant step forward after an uneven redshirt freshman season. The depth behind the two tackles is a bit worrisome, with unproven commodities rounding out the depth chart.
Olaus Alinen has been a guard during his time in the program, but due to depth concerns and injuries, he spent the spring at tackle. I suspect that move will be permanent, at least for this season. True freshman Jackson Lloyd and Ball State transfer Arkel Anugwom are a snap away from being thrust into an unfavorable spot.
Guards:
Starters: Kam Dewberry, Jaeden Roberts
Backups: Geno VanDeMark, Michael Carroll
Depth: Casey Poe, William Sanders
There's competition at left guard between Texas A&M transfer Kam Dewberry and fifth-year senior Geno VanDeMark. That spot is very much up for grabs, but Dewberry seemingly has a slight edge heading into camp. If he wins the job, VanDeMark will function as the top backup at all three interior positions.
Jaeden Roberts is entrenched at right guard and is also one of the strongest humans on the planet. 5-star freshman Michael Carroll could factor as a backup at tackle or guard; he was recruited as a guard, but he spent part of the spring working at tackle.
Defense:
Defensive Line:
Bandit:
Starter: LT Overton
Backup: Kelby Collins
Depth: Keon Keeley, Jordan Renaud
Bandit is one of the deeper position groups on the team. Senior LT Overton is the obvious starter, and could be an All-American if he learns to finish plays better in the backfield. But Florida transfer Kelby Collins will play, and could see time at both Bandit and DT.
This is a pivotal year for Keon Keeley. He's looking to finally carve out a role on the defense, and like Collins, could see snaps at DT, too. Jordan Renaud is another intriguing depth piece.
DT:
Starter: James Smith
Backup: Edric Hill
Depth: Isaia Faga, London Simmons
If I had to pick the player most likely to breakout this season, my money would be on junior James Smith. He saw an increased role late in the season, and seemingly took a big leap in bowl practices, leading to the best game of his short career in the ReliaQuest Bowl loss to Michigan.
Depth behind Smith is of concern. Edric Hill will need to be able to play snaps, but like I stated earlier, several of the Bandits will likely cross-train at DT.
NT:
Starter: Tim Keenan III
Backup: Jeremiah Beaman
Depth: Steve Mboumoua
Tim Keenan's decision to return for a fifth season was huge for Kane Wommack's defense and prevented Alabama from searching for a nose tackle in the Transfer Portal. He'll man the middle and be the run-stuffer. Redshirt freshman Jeremiah Beaman looks ready for snaps, and his physical transformation since arriving in Tuscaloosa has been stunning.
Linebackers:
Wolf:
Starter: Qua Russaw
Backups: Jah-Marien Latham, Yhonzae Pierre
Depth: Kevonte Henry, Justin Hill, Noah Carter
If Qua Russaw can improve as a pass rusher, he could be one of the best outside linebackers in college football. Behind him, Alabama has a couple of options: sixth-year senior Jah-Marien Latham made the position switch from Bandit to Wolf to give Alabama a bigger body on the edge, figuring that could be a positive for the Tide's run defense.
Yhonzae Pierre is a guy with a lot of potential as an edge rusher, and he could find himself on the field as a situational pass rusher. True freshman Justin Hill and redshirt Noah Carter could fight for similar roles.
Mike:
Starter: Justin Jefferson
Backup: Nikhai Hill-Green
Depth: Darrell Johnson, Abduall Sanders
Sting:
Starter: Deontae Lawson
Backup: Justin Jefferson
Depth: Cayden Jones, QB Reese
Alabama has three starters for two positions on the inside. Before DeBoer and company knew they would get an extra year out of Justin Jefferson because of the NCAA's JUCO ruling, they went out and added Colorado's Nikhai Hill-Green in the Transfer Portal.
Hill-Green will allow some mixing and matching on the inside. He's the downhill run-thumper and will see action on obvious running downs. Jefferson is the versatile athlete who can make the plays sideline to sideline and hold up in coverage. Jefferson will slide to Sting and be the signal caller of the defense if Lawson misses any time.
Depth behind those three will need to be developed. LB coach Chuck Morrell will need to get the young guys ready in case they are needed for more than just special teams roles.
Secondary:
CB:
Starters: Domani Jackson, Zabien Brown
Backups: Cam Calhoun, Dijon Lee
Depth: Red Morgan, Chuck McDonald
Safety:
Starters: Keon Sabb, Bray Hubbard
Backups: Zay Mincey, Dre Kirkpatrick Jr.
Depth: Kameron Howard, Ivan Taylor
Husky:
Starter: DaShawn Jones
Backups: Dijon Lee, Cam Calhoun, Dre Kirkpatrick Jr.
Depth: Red Morgan
Find me a better group of four corners in the country than Domani Jackson, Zabien Brown, Cam Calhoun, and Dijon Lee, and I'll call you a liar. Jackson and Brown will start, but Calhoun and 5-star freshman Lee will get playing time. Alabama rotated corners last year, and they'll do the same this year to get talent on the field.
At safety, Keon Sabb and Bray Hubbard will make up an elite duo, but they'll be looking over their shoulder at sophomore Zay Mincey, who started the bowl game in place of Malachi Moore and shined. He's going to find his way onto the field one way or another.
The Husky position, to me, is the most intriguing battle to watch on the defense. DaShawn Jones started the last couple of games last year and is in the lead, but he'll face stiff competition in fall camp. I would expect to see Wommack and DB coach Maurice Linguist do some experimenting with the position.
At 6-foot-4, freshman Dijon Lee seems like a natural for the role, and this would be a way to get arguably the most talented defensive back on the roster on the field. Utah transfer Cam Calhoun could also compete for playing time at Husky.
Wommack and Linguist have a lot of options to work with in a deep and talented secondary.
Special Teams:
Kicker:
Starter: Conor Talty
Backup: Reid Scuback
Punter:
Starter: Blake Doud
Backup: Alex Asparuhov
Returners:
KR: Jaylen Mbakwe, Cole Adams
PR: Jaylen Mbakwe, Ryan Williams
Your guess is as good as mine for the KR/PR jobs. If DeBoer will let Ryan Williams return punts, he'll be the guy there. My guess, at least early, is that the job goes to Jaylen Mbakwe as a way of getting him on the field with limited playing time available at WR.
Cole Adams isn't explosive in the return game, but he has sure hands, which is always vital.
Conor Talty will take over at kicker. There's competition at punter between veteran Blake Doud, who transferred from the Colorado School of the Mines, and highly regarded high schooler Alex Asparuhov, whose father was a D1 kicker.