Fall camp is right around the corner, and the light is finally visible at the end of the tunnel of the long, drawn-out offseason.
Alabama has a lot to prove in 2025 coming off the worst season in Tuscaloosa since 2007. A 9-4 debut season for Kalen DeBoer was well beneath expectations for Crimson Tide fans, but all will be quickly forgiven with a bounceback and College Football Playoff berth.
This Alabama team has a National Championship ceiling. It won't be easy to navigate a difficult schedule, but this team is more than good enough to not only make the playoff but be a serious contender to be the last team standing when all is said and done.
There are plenty of big-named players for this year's Tide, led by stars such as Ryan Williams. But we're not interested in the stars right now. We want to examine some under the radar players who could be in line for bigger roles than many are expecting in 2025.
These three under the radar players could soon become household names for Alabama
Daniel Hill (RB)
Entering his second season, former 4-star RB Daniel Hill is a relative unknown for most Crimson Tide fans. In the RB room, most assume the rotation will start with senior Jam Miller, and then follow with junior Richard Young and senior transfer Dre Washington. But Hill will have something to say about that.
Hill had an impressive spring practice, and will likely factor into the RB rotation. Hill is a bigger back and brings something to the table that the others don't. He's listed at 6-foot-1 and 241 pounds. That's a similar size to former Heisman winner Derrick Henry. He doesn't have Henry's game-changing speed, but he has that bruising style that could be beneficial to Kalen DeBoer's offense.
DeBoer's offense is built around the vertical passing game, but the ground game is key to take advantage of number advantages when defenses drop more guys to try and take away the pass. With a soft box, a bruising back like Hill would have the opportunity to feast.
Rico Scott (WR)
Alabama has the top-end talent at WR in Ryan Williams, Germie Bernard, and Miami transfer Isaiah Horton, but what makes the Tide's WR room arguably the best in the country is its unparalleled depth.
Alabama's starting trio stacks up with anyone, but I don't believe there's a team in the country that goes as deep as Alabama can. Guys like Jalen Hale, Cole Adams, Jaylen Mbakwe, and freshmen Lotzeir Brooks and Derek Meadows are all talented enough to play this year.
But the guy who continues to draw rave reviews from the spring and summer is Rico Scott, who is entering his second year in the program. Scott saw some significant playing time in the ReliaQuest Bowl after the Transfer Portal exodus in the WR room.
Scott could be in for a breakout sophomore season. He's probably a safe bet to be the No. 4 WR this year, though guys like Brooks and Hale will push for that spot.
Yhonzae Pierre (WOLF)
It's no secret that the next step in the progression of Kane Wommack's defense is getting more pressure on the opposing QB. Alabama finished 10th in the country in yards per play defense last year and did that while ranking just 69th in sacks at 25 total. Replacing the production lost by Jihaad Campbell and Que Robinson, the top two pass rushers from a year ago, won't be easy.
Alabama will hope for further development from starting WOLF Qua Russaw, but will also need guys down the depth chart to contribute. The guy best equipped to make an impact as a situational rusher might be Yhonzae Pierre as he enters his third year in the program. He will be in line for his biggest role yet, and figures to be a factor in the Tide's rotation.
Pierre has the skill and athletic ability to be a playmaker off the edge.
If Pierre and others can help Alabama improve in affecting opposing QBs, Wommack's defensive unit could be the best in the entire country.