Alabama Roster Breakdown: Where things stand on offense 4.0
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Alabama’s roster is set for 2023. Sure, there’s the possibility a graduate transfer will still enter the portal. It’s also possible that a guy like freshman safety Tony Mitchell can work his way back onto the team after being suspended indefinitely due to legal issues. But for the most part, we know what the group will look like this season.
In total, Alabama lost 18 players on offense. That includes six going to the NFL and 12 leaving via the transfer portal. On the flip side, 15 players were added with 14 of those being true freshman. The numbers at wide receiver and offensive line are down, but at least one position has offset that by adding two more players than it had last year.
So, let’s dive in and see where this Alabama roster stands as of mid-May. Afterwards, be sure to check out our up-to-date scholarship numbers at the end to see how many the Crimson Tide have available. You can also bookmark this article and check back in periodically to see if anymore changes or updates have been made. More than likely, there won’t be, but you never know.
Alabama Roster Breakdown: Where things stand on defense [Coming Soon]
Quarterbacks (5)
Departures: Bryce Young (NFL)
Seniors: None
Juniors: None
Sophomores: Jalen Milroe* / Tyler Buchner*
Freshmen: Ty Simpson* / Eli Holstein (EE) / Dylan Lonergan (EE)
Quick thoughts: Five quarterbacks. Somehow, Alabama has managed to enter the summer with five scholarship signal-callers … during the transfer portal era. Quantity doesn’t automatically mean quality, but I’m not as concerned about the position as most. Right now, this feels like a three-man race between Milroe, Simpson and the Notre Dame transfer Tyler Buchner. Hopefully, Alabama will have the battle narrowed down to two by some point in fall camp. We’ll see.
Running Backs (5)
Departures: Jahmyr Gibbs (NFL) / Trey Sanders (TCU)
Seniors: Jase McClellan / Roydell Williams
Juniors: None
Sophomores: Jam Miller
Freshmen: Justice Haynes (EE) / Richard Young
Quick thoughts: McClellan and Williams are the two veterans in the running back room, but I actually like the talent that Haynes and Miller bring to the table more. As long as McClellan remains effective, he should be one of the top contributors. I’m predicting that Haynes climbs his way into a prominent role though. Who knows, he might even end up leading the team in touches. If you want to return to the top of the mountain, it’ll be on the shoulders of standout talents such as the top-40 runner out of Georgia.
Wide Receivers (12)
Departures: Traeshon Holden (Oregon) / JoJo Earle (TCU) / Christian Leary (Georgia Tech) / Aaron Anderson (LSU) / Tyler Harrell (Miami)
Seniors: Jermaine Burton
Juniors: Thaiu Jones-Bell* / Ja’Corey Brooks / Malik Benson (JUCO)
Sophomores: Isaiah Bond / Kobe Prentice / Kendrick Law / Emmanuel Henderson Jr.
Freshmen: Shazz Preston* / Jalen Hale (EE) / Cole Adams (EE) / Jaren Hamilton (EE)
Quick thoughts: Five players are gone from last season’s wide receiver room. And yet, Alabama will be better off for it. Bond, Prentice and Law are all a year older, and the five-star JUCO addition (Benson) will almost certainly push for significant playing time. Brooks and Burton are likely to begin the year as starters, but those other four are the big-time talents that can take this group to the next level. I’m most curious to see how Henderson and freshman Jalen Hale fit in. They’re good enough to play, but it’s a loaded room. They might have to wait for 2024.
Tight Ends (6)
Departures: Cameron Latu (grad.) / Kendall Randolph (grad.) / Elijah Brown (FAU)
Seniors: None
Juniors: CJ Dippre (Maryland) / Robbie Ouzts / Miles Kitselman
Sophomores: Amari Niblack
Freshmen: Danny Lewis* / Ty Lockwood (EE)
Quick thoughts: This unit has been a pleasant surprise. We heard good things about the development of Lewis and Niblack this spring, but Dippre figures to be TE1 after transferring in from Maryland. There’s also the return of Ouzts, which should bolster Alabama’s depth even more. If I had to guess, we’ll probably see Dippre and Lewis as the top two guys with Niblack being a situational player, especially in the red area. Yes, that leaves Ouzts on the outside looking in. And yes, that might look foolish come August. I like the combination of skill sets from the other three guys though. Dippre and Lewis bring a balance, versatile approach while Niblack provides an element (size and athletic ability) that’s currently missing from the pass-catchers.
Offensive Tackles (5)
Departures: Tyler Steen (grad.) / Amari Kight (UCF) / Damieon George (Florida) / Tommy Brockermeyer (TCU)
Seniors: None
Juniors: JC Latham
Sophomores: None
Freshmen: Elijah Pritchett* / Kadyn Proctor (EE) / Wilkin Formby (EE) Miles McVay (EE)
Quick thoughts: Latham has the right side locked down, but Pritchett needs to show substantial improvement this fall if he wants to remain the starter at left tackle. Proctor, a Five-Star Plus talent from Iowa, already brings the elite size that Alabama covets at the position. He already looks comfortable in the role, too. With three true freshman and a redshirt freshman taking up four the of the five spots at this position, inexperience could play a factor in early success. The Tide aren’t short of talent though. I expect offensive tackle to be a team strength sooner rather than later.
Interior Offensive Line (8)
Departures: Emil Ekiyor Jr. (grad.) / Javion Cohen (Miami) / Tanner Bowles (Kentucky)
Seniors: Darrian Dalcourt* / Seth McLaughlin
Juniors: None
Sophomores: Terrence Ferguson* / Jaeden Roberts* / James Brockermeyer* / Tyler Booker
Freshmen: Olaus Alinen (EE) / Roq Montgomery (EE)
Quick thoughts: We know Booker is going to start at one guard spot, and we also know that McLaughlin is your likely starter at center. Alabama’s other opening at guard is still up for grabs though. Dalcourt worked with the first team throughout the spring, and I don’t expect that to change once fall camp gets underway. The question is whether or not he can hang onto the job until Sept. 2. Ferguson is his biggest competition, but I wouldn’t rule out Alinen. He’s going to be a good player. It’s just a matter of when. I’d be shocked if Proctor moved inside.
Total Scholarship Distribution
Offense: 41
Defense: 44
Specialists: 2
TOTAL: 87 SCHOLARSHIPS (TWO OVER)
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