Alabama wrapped up its spring camp over the weekend with its annual A-Day scrimmage. Now that the Crimson Tide has 15 workouts under its belt, it should have a better feel of what it has moving forward into the fall as it looks to repeat as national champions.
Here’s a projection of how Alabama could line up on offense this season.
Freshmen who are set to arrive in the summer are marked with an asterisk.
QB
Bryce Young
Paul Tyson
Jalen Milroe
Outlook: Nick Saban isn’t about to announce his starting quarterback anytime soon. Although, after Saturday’s A-Day game he doesn’t really need to. Bryce Young cemented his starting spot during the scrimmage, earning MVP honors while completing 25 of 44 passes for 333 yards and a touchdown without an interception. The question here might be whether or not Jalen Milroe can jump Paul Tyson for the No. 2 spot in the fall. While the freshman had a solid spring, Tyson’s experience should see him keep the backup role.
RB
Brian Robinson Jr.
Roydell Williams
Jase McClellan
Keilan Robinson
Trey Sanders
Kyle Edwards
Camar Wheaton*
Outlook: This is not only Alabama’s deepest position group but also arguably the most talented unit in the nation. When the Tide welcomes in five-star freshman Camar Wheaton this summer it will have seven scholarship backs all rated at four stars or higher.
With Brian Robinson Jr. out for A-Day, Roydell Williams got the start for the first-team offense. The Hueytown, Ala. native didn’t disappoint either, running for 43 yards on 12 carries while hauling in four receptions for 65 yards. Williams carried the ball just 19 times for 71 yards and a touchdown during his freshman season last year but offers a nice change of pace to Robinson’s power attack.
Jase McClellan also shined during the A-Day game, rushing for a game-high 46 yards on 12 carries while recording seven receptions for 62 yards. The Aledo, Texas native was a big-play threat for Alabama during his freshman season last year, leading the team with 10.65 yards per carry. He figures to be a bigger presence this year.
During the A-Day game, Keilan Robinson was listed as both a running back and a wide receiver. Due to his elite speed, he could serve as a change-of-pace option while also coming in on two-back sets for sweep plays or to help out in the passing game.
Trey Sanders is down on this depth chart as he recovers from a season-ending hip injury he suffered in November. However, he has the talent to see the field if he gets back to 100 percent. It will likely be another developmental year for Kyle Edwards while Wheaton can focus on adding a bit more bulk to his frame during his first season.
WR Z
John Metchie III
Agiye Hall
Thaiu Jones-Bell
WR X
Javon Baker
Traeshon Holden
Jacorey Brooks
WR Slot
Slade Bolden
Xavier Williams/Keilan Robinson
Christian Leary
JoJo Earle*
Outlook: It would be easy to get carried away here and insert Agiye Hall into the starting lineup after his breakout performance on A-Day. Perhaps the playmaking freshman will break into the first-team at some point in his first season. However, Nick Saban generally prefers to go with veterans at the wide receiver position.
John Metchie III should be fully healthy by the fall. With DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle gone, the junior is set to lead the unit after finishing second on the team with 55 receptions for 916 yards and six touchdowns last season. Meanwhile, Slade Bolden’s experience should get him the nod at the slot position — at least to start the year.
It was a tough choice for the third receiver spot between Javon Baker, Traeshon Holden and Xavier Williams. All three receivers shined this spring, and Holden has nice chemistry with former seven-on-seven teammate Young as evidenced by the nine receptions for 89 yards he hauled in from the quarterback on A-Day. Baker has the most in-game experience from last year, so he gets the nod.
Alabama’s second-team unit looks equally strong with Hall, Holden and Williams. All three of those receivers can play both inside and outside, but Williams’ speed makes him better suited for the slot. Keilan Robinson could also inject more speed inside.
Hall seemed to separate himself from Alabama’s other three freshmen receivers, but Ja’Corey Brooks and Christian Leary also showed some promise this spring, while JoJo Earle is set to bring plenty of dynamism this summer.
TE
Jahleel Billingsley
Cameron Latu
Major Tennison
Robbie Ouzts
Caden Clark
Outlook: Once thought of a potential weakness in Alabama’s attack, the tight end position looked a bit stronger this spring. Jahleel Billingsley should lead the unit following his breakout season last year. However, Cameron Latu also proved to be a nice pass-catching option this spring. The former outside linebacker recorded at least one touchdown reception in all three of Alabama’s scrimmages, including a 59-yard score during A-Day.
Major Tennison brings experience to the unit, while freshmen Robbie Ouzts and Caden Clark could develop into difference makers down the road. Ouzts, 6-foot-4, 260 pounds, could contribute both as an H-back as well as a full back near the goal line.
LT
Evan Neal
Tommy Brockermeyer
Amari Kight
LG
Javion Cohen
Tommy Brown
Terrence Ferguson
C
Chris Owens
Darrian Dalcourt
Seth McLaughlin
James Brockermeyer
RG
Emil Ekiyor Jr.
Pierce Quick
Tanner Bowles
Jaedon Roberts*
RT
J.C. Latham
Kendall Randolph
Damion George Jr.
Outlook: This is the hardest position group to project on offense as Alabama will look to replace three starters from last season’s Joe Moore Award-winning unit.
Evan Neal made the switch from right tackle to left tackle this spring and should remain there where he’ll serve as Young’s blindside protection this fall. The other likely starters consist of Chris Owens at center and Emil Ekiyor Jr. at guard. Owens filled in for an injured Landon Dickerson during last season's playoff and spent the entire spring snapping for the first-team offense. Ekiyor sat out camp with an injury but should be fully recovered by the fall. He started all 13 games at right guard last season.
With Ekiyor and backup Pierce Quick out this spring, Alabama’s first-team offensive line during A-Day consisted of Neal, Javion Cohen, Owens, Tommy Brown and Kendall Randolph from left to right. Meanwhile the second-team unit consisted of Tommy Brockermeyer, Terrence Ferguson, Seth McLaughlin, Amari Kight and JC Latham. Those lineups will change a bit when Alabama returns to full strength, but they should provide a nice clue of what to expect moving forward.
The thing that stands out in this projection is Latham jumping Randolph for the right tackle spot. According to sources, Alabama is really high on Randolph. However, Latham’s five-star talent will be tough to keep off the field during his first season. If he progresses nicely this fall, he has a good chance of landing a starting spot.
Keeping Ekiyor on the right side not only allows him to remain at a position of comfort but should also help balance out the experience of the line with Neal shifting to the left side. Cohen carried over a promising freshman season into the spring and could be primed for first-team action at the other guard position.
Here’s a projection of how Alabama could line up on offense this season.
Freshmen who are set to arrive in the summer are marked with an asterisk.
QB
Bryce Young
Paul Tyson
Jalen Milroe
Outlook: Nick Saban isn’t about to announce his starting quarterback anytime soon. Although, after Saturday’s A-Day game he doesn’t really need to. Bryce Young cemented his starting spot during the scrimmage, earning MVP honors while completing 25 of 44 passes for 333 yards and a touchdown without an interception. The question here might be whether or not Jalen Milroe can jump Paul Tyson for the No. 2 spot in the fall. While the freshman had a solid spring, Tyson’s experience should see him keep the backup role.
RB
Brian Robinson Jr.
Roydell Williams
Jase McClellan
Keilan Robinson
Trey Sanders
Kyle Edwards
Camar Wheaton*
Outlook: This is not only Alabama’s deepest position group but also arguably the most talented unit in the nation. When the Tide welcomes in five-star freshman Camar Wheaton this summer it will have seven scholarship backs all rated at four stars or higher.
With Brian Robinson Jr. out for A-Day, Roydell Williams got the start for the first-team offense. The Hueytown, Ala. native didn’t disappoint either, running for 43 yards on 12 carries while hauling in four receptions for 65 yards. Williams carried the ball just 19 times for 71 yards and a touchdown during his freshman season last year but offers a nice change of pace to Robinson’s power attack.
Jase McClellan also shined during the A-Day game, rushing for a game-high 46 yards on 12 carries while recording seven receptions for 62 yards. The Aledo, Texas native was a big-play threat for Alabama during his freshman season last year, leading the team with 10.65 yards per carry. He figures to be a bigger presence this year.
During the A-Day game, Keilan Robinson was listed as both a running back and a wide receiver. Due to his elite speed, he could serve as a change-of-pace option while also coming in on two-back sets for sweep plays or to help out in the passing game.
Trey Sanders is down on this depth chart as he recovers from a season-ending hip injury he suffered in November. However, he has the talent to see the field if he gets back to 100 percent. It will likely be another developmental year for Kyle Edwards while Wheaton can focus on adding a bit more bulk to his frame during his first season.
WR Z
John Metchie III
Agiye Hall
Thaiu Jones-Bell
WR X
Javon Baker
Traeshon Holden
Jacorey Brooks
WR Slot
Slade Bolden
Xavier Williams/Keilan Robinson
Christian Leary
JoJo Earle*
Outlook: It would be easy to get carried away here and insert Agiye Hall into the starting lineup after his breakout performance on A-Day. Perhaps the playmaking freshman will break into the first-team at some point in his first season. However, Nick Saban generally prefers to go with veterans at the wide receiver position.
John Metchie III should be fully healthy by the fall. With DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle gone, the junior is set to lead the unit after finishing second on the team with 55 receptions for 916 yards and six touchdowns last season. Meanwhile, Slade Bolden’s experience should get him the nod at the slot position — at least to start the year.
It was a tough choice for the third receiver spot between Javon Baker, Traeshon Holden and Xavier Williams. All three receivers shined this spring, and Holden has nice chemistry with former seven-on-seven teammate Young as evidenced by the nine receptions for 89 yards he hauled in from the quarterback on A-Day. Baker has the most in-game experience from last year, so he gets the nod.
Alabama’s second-team unit looks equally strong with Hall, Holden and Williams. All three of those receivers can play both inside and outside, but Williams’ speed makes him better suited for the slot. Keilan Robinson could also inject more speed inside.
Hall seemed to separate himself from Alabama’s other three freshmen receivers, but Ja’Corey Brooks and Christian Leary also showed some promise this spring, while JoJo Earle is set to bring plenty of dynamism this summer.
TE
Jahleel Billingsley
Cameron Latu
Major Tennison
Robbie Ouzts
Caden Clark
Outlook: Once thought of a potential weakness in Alabama’s attack, the tight end position looked a bit stronger this spring. Jahleel Billingsley should lead the unit following his breakout season last year. However, Cameron Latu also proved to be a nice pass-catching option this spring. The former outside linebacker recorded at least one touchdown reception in all three of Alabama’s scrimmages, including a 59-yard score during A-Day.
Major Tennison brings experience to the unit, while freshmen Robbie Ouzts and Caden Clark could develop into difference makers down the road. Ouzts, 6-foot-4, 260 pounds, could contribute both as an H-back as well as a full back near the goal line.
LT
Evan Neal
Tommy Brockermeyer
Amari Kight
LG
Javion Cohen
Tommy Brown
Terrence Ferguson
C
Chris Owens
Darrian Dalcourt
Seth McLaughlin
James Brockermeyer
RG
Emil Ekiyor Jr.
Pierce Quick
Tanner Bowles
Jaedon Roberts*
RT
J.C. Latham
Kendall Randolph
Damion George Jr.
Outlook: This is the hardest position group to project on offense as Alabama will look to replace three starters from last season’s Joe Moore Award-winning unit.
Evan Neal made the switch from right tackle to left tackle this spring and should remain there where he’ll serve as Young’s blindside protection this fall. The other likely starters consist of Chris Owens at center and Emil Ekiyor Jr. at guard. Owens filled in for an injured Landon Dickerson during last season's playoff and spent the entire spring snapping for the first-team offense. Ekiyor sat out camp with an injury but should be fully recovered by the fall. He started all 13 games at right guard last season.
With Ekiyor and backup Pierce Quick out this spring, Alabama’s first-team offensive line during A-Day consisted of Neal, Javion Cohen, Owens, Tommy Brown and Kendall Randolph from left to right. Meanwhile the second-team unit consisted of Tommy Brockermeyer, Terrence Ferguson, Seth McLaughlin, Amari Kight and JC Latham. Those lineups will change a bit when Alabama returns to full strength, but they should provide a nice clue of what to expect moving forward.
The thing that stands out in this projection is Latham jumping Randolph for the right tackle spot. According to sources, Alabama is really high on Randolph. However, Latham’s five-star talent will be tough to keep off the field during his first season. If he progresses nicely this fall, he has a good chance of landing a starting spot.
Keeping Ekiyor on the right side not only allows him to remain at a position of comfort but should also help balance out the experience of the line with Neal shifting to the left side. Cohen carried over a promising freshman season into the spring and could be primed for first-team action at the other guard position.
