As Alabama Football transitions into a retooling phase due to departures to the transfer portal and NFL, the team still boasts one of the most talented rosters in college football. While certain positions like Edge Rusher, Cornerback, Wide Receiver, and Offensive Tackle will witness intense competition during camp, several roles remain firmly established.
During the spring evaluations, the coaching staff will assess specific positions to determine whether they need to explore options in the transfer portal. However, overall, the team appears to be in a solid position. Finding replacements of higher caliber than the existing offensive tackle or cornerback talent may prove challenging, leading Kalen DeBoer to potentially maintain the current roster without major changes.
Alabama Football: Pre-Season Polls will provide an interesting perspective
Punter
Despite losing the top kicker in program history, Will Reichard, the Alabama Football team will have a significant asset in James Burnip returning to the special teams unit. Burnip demonstrated notable improvement from 2022 to 2023, evidenced by his impressive punting statistics. In the 2023 season, Burnip punted 57 times with an average distance of 47.5 yards per punt, including a long of 67 yards. His consistency also notably increased, with 8.77% of his punts landing inside the opponent’s 20-yard line, a substantial improvement from the 2.27% mark in 2022.
The presence of a skilled and experienced punter like Burnip is often overlooked but is immensely valuable. In the Rose Bowl game against Michigan, Burnip’s performance almost led to a victory for Alabama, as Michigan fumbled one punt and narrowly avoided a safety on another. Despite the eventual loss, Burnip’s contribution highlighted the importance of reliable special teams.
Ideally, fans hope Burnip won’t have to punt frequently in the upcoming 2024 season. However, whenever he does, there is confidence in his ability to execute effectively.
Tight End
While much of the focus in this year’s signing class is understandably on Ryan Williams, Caleb Odom could emerge as the most impactful addition. Despite this, the team already boasts starting tight end CJ Dippre, who recorded 11 receptions for 187 yards last season and is expected to play a more prominent role in the offense early in the season, particularly as younger wide receivers acclimate. Additionally, Robbie Ouzts, who tallied three receptions for 33 yards in 2023, will also return. Notably, both Dippre and Ouzts possess exceptional blocking skills, providing the offense with an advantage in the rushing game.
The acquisition of Caleb Odom will provide the Alabama Football team with a player akin to Amari Niblack, who recently entered the transfer portal. Odom possesses a distinctive combination of size and speed, standing at 6 feet 5 inches and weighing 215 pounds. His playing style resembles that of OJ Howard but with the physical dimensions of Irv Smith Jr. Odom is poised to make an impact in his freshman year, offering another weapon for Jalen Milroe and enhancing the team’s offensive capabilities.
Running back
Despite the departure of Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams, the Alabama Football team remains poised to maintain its strength at the running back position. The tandem of Jam Miller and Justice Haynes will provide the group with both experience and considerable potential, surpassing the capabilities of McClellan and Williams. Miller served as the third-string running back in the 2023 season, accumulating 201 yards rushing and scoring a touchdown. Haynes, on the other hand, primarily saw action in mop-up situations but had a notable performance in the Rose Bowl, concluding the season with 168 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
The running back unit will feature a youthful composition, led by talented underclassmen. Justice Haynes, in particular, as a true sophomore, is expected to lead the team with his exceptional skills, comparable to those of standout backs from previous seasons. Additionally, Richard Young, who redshirted last season, now boasts both talent and experience, positioning him for significant playing time this season. The group also includes two highly skilled freshmen, Tuscaloosa native Kevin Riley and four-star running back Daniel Hill, who will vie for playing time and provide competition for the returning players.
Inside Linebacker
Alabama’s inside linebacker unit stands out as one of the strongest in the nation, if not the strongest. Deontae Lawson, boasting two seasons of considerable playing time, is poised to be a frontrunner for the Butkus Award in the preseason. Despite dealing with an injury, Lawson managed to tally 67 tackles and three sacks in 2023. Jihaad Campbell, who saw increased playing time towards the end of the season, is expected to have a breakout year among returning players. In 2023, Campbell contributed 66 tackles, half a sack, two fumble recoveries, an interception, and a touchdown.
Under Kane Wommack’s 4-2-5 defensive scheme, Lawson and Campbell will shoulder significant responsibilities, albeit in slightly different roles compared to Kevin Steele’s defense. The unit experienced some depth loss with Trezmen Marshall entering the draft, while role players like Kendrick Blackshire, Ian Jackson, and Shawn Murphy opted for the transfer portal.
The addition of Justin Okoronkwo, QB Reese, and Cayden Jones in the 2024 recruiting class is expected to bolster the unit’s depth, helping to offset the losses incurred from the transfer portal.
Interior Offensive Line
The most formidable returning unit for the Alabama Football team is its interior offensive line, led by the returning Tyler Booker and Jaeden Roberts, forming one of the premier guard duos in the nation. While the center position will experience turnover due to Seth McLaughlin’s transfer to Ohio State, the team has secured the services of Parker Brailsford, one of the top centers nationally. Brailsford previously played under Kalen DeBoer at Washington, where he excelled despite being considered “undersized.”
Brailsford earned recognition as a first-team All-Freshman center and second-team All-Pac 12 member, showcasing his talent. He was also ranked as the top transfer for interior offensive line positions in the portal. Notably, he received strong pass-blocking and run-blocking grades from PFF, with impressive stats such as allowing only one sack in 612 pass-blocking snaps during his time at Washington. His addition will be particularly valuable to a unit that struggled, yielding 49 sacks in 2023.
The robust interior offensive line group will play a crucial role in the team’s offensive efficiency in 2023. With its members excelling as run blockers, they are poised to create opportunities for explosive plays by the running backs. Given the introduction of two new starting offensive tackles, the group’s steady performance will be essential as the tackles acclimate to their roles.
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