TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Kalen DeBoer carried a notebook with him on his first day as Alabama’s football coach. Many people, inside and outside of the building, were trying their best to find out as much as they could about DeBoer, and he had a similar objective about them.
He made it a point to get to know the entire team, and when he figured out who the team leaders were, he called a meeting. That’s when the notebook came into play.
“He sat down with all the leaders of the team and was taking notes,” quarterback Jalen Milroe said via the “Bussin’ With The Boys” podcast. “He was taking notes of our comments about what the standard is here, what makes up Alabama, about us as people — where we’re from, how many siblings we have, our hobbies, etc., on the same day he got here. From there, I said, ‘Man, we got someone special.’”
Several months later, DeBoer has completed his first spring practice at Alabama — the next checkmark in a year of firsts. The actual on-field component — installing the playbook, evaluating the roster, etc. — is one part of the equation, and the other component is relationship building. And the post-spring practice transfer window indicates that DeBoer and his staff did well in that aspect.
One of the leading storylines of Alabama’s offseason was the player attrition after Nick Saban’s retirement. The post-spring window was another opportunity for the players to exit after a full spring under the new staff, but Alabama had just four departures and no expected starters. The most consequential for the 2024 season was center James Brockermeyer, who was in a battle with Washington transfer Parker Brailsford but left for TCU. The other departures were defensive lineman Khurtiss Perry (Virginia Tech) and defensive backs Tony Mitchell (uncommitted) and Peyton Woodyard (Oregon).
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Woodyard was the only freshman early enrollee to transfer after spring as part of a class that signed to play under Saban. And several Alabama veterans could’ve received larger name, image and likeness inducements elsewhere but stayed, according to the A&P sports agency, which represents several current players. There’s a different energy within the program as DeBoer has mixed his personality with an existing culture, but it has resonated on the field and on a personal level.
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Alabama did a nice job of filling out its roster in the post-spring window. The silver lining of losing so much during the winter/Saban retirement window was that the roster would have space for impactful additions. Spring practice confirmed strong assumptions, like the offensive line and defensive back being needs, while other positions became needs (including kicker) and some positions didn’t require further reinforcements (like outside linebacker).
The post-spring class, six players as of now, has a little bit of everything Alabama needed: immediate starters (Kadyn Proctor, DaShawn Jones, Graham Nicholson), experienced depth (Kameron Howard, Geno VanDeMark) and good developmental prospects (King Mack). It’s worth noting that five of the six additions have multiple years of eligibility left so there aren’t any stopgaps besides Nicholson at kicker, and by 2025, Conor Talty could be ready to assume the starting duties there.
Roster moves can still be made, but for the most part, Alabama’s 2024 roster is set, and it’s a roster that should be in the thick of the SEC championship and College Football Playoff discussion.
As the summer months approach, it’s a good time to reset the team’s depth chart. Each position is broken into starters, rotation players and depth pieces and includes analysis for incoming high school recruits enrolling in June.
(Note: Incoming players’ height, weight and recruiting rankings are via 247Sports)
Quarterback
Starter: Milroe (6 feet 2, 220 pounds, Jr.)
Backup: Ty Simpson (6-2, 203, Soph.)
Depth: Dylan Lonergan (6-2, 213, RS Fr.); Austin Mack (6-6, 226, RS Fr.)
Alabama’s quarterbacks are near the top of the roster in terms of trajectory, both short term and long term. Milroe went through spring practice almost exclusively with the first team and flashed at times during A-Day. Milroe’s next step is gaining full confidence in DeBoer’s system. Executing the plays is one thing, but being able to operate the offense confidently to keep the train moving is another. One thing that should help now is that Milroe and the other quarterbacks can watch film of themselves running the offense versus relying on Washington film alone.
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Simpson has developed nicely from last season. The edge for third on the depth chart is to the older and more experienced Lonergan, although Mack’s physical tools give him a higher ceiling.
Justice Haynes rushed for 168 yards as a freshman in 2023. (Gary Cosby / USA Today)
Running back
Starters: Justice Haynes (5-11, 205, Soph.); Jam Miller (5-10, 211, Jr.)
Rotation: Richard Young (5-11, 200, RS Fr.)
Depth: Daniel Hill (5-11, 239, Fr.)
Incoming: Kevin Riley (5-11, 195, No. 9 running back in 2024)
The spring confirmed what many thought entering the period: Haynes and Miller should be an exciting pairing in 2024. The two backs essentially are operating as co-starters with a renewed focus on implementing the running backs in the passing game. The biggest development is the ascension of Young, who could have a role this fall. One question to answer is how much of a step forward did the group take in pass protection?
Wide receiver
Starters: Germie Bernard (6-1, 203, Jr.); Kendrick Law (5-11, 201, Jr.); Kobe Prentice (5-10, 182, Jr.)
Rotation: Emmanuel Henderson Jr. (6-1, 185, Jr.); Cole Adams (5-10, 186, RS Fr.); Jaren Hamilton (6-1, 200, RS Fr.); Caleb Odom (6-5, 215, Fr.)
Incoming: Amari Jefferson (6-0, 200, No. 33 ATH); Rico Scott (6-0, 185, No. 48 WR); Ryan Williams (6-1, 165, No. 3 WR)
Wide receiver was a position that was under consideration for a spring addition a few months ago, but the staff hasn’t hosted any receivers, signifying it is pleased with what’s in-house. The injury loss of Jalen Hale is significant (which is why he isn’t listed), but there have been positive developments, such as Odom moving to receiver to fill a big-framed void. Williams’ enrollment adds a boost, and if he’s able to play this fall, that increases the ceiling of this group. Jefferson and Scott are big-play threats, as well, and will help the depth.
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Tight end
Co-starters: CJ Dippre (6-5, 257, Sr.); Josh Cuevas (6-3, 239, Jr.); Robbie Ouzts (6-4, 265, Sr.)
Depth: Danny Lewis Jr. (6-5, 255, Soph.); Ty Lockwood (6-5, 234, RS Fr.)
Incoming: Jay Lindsey (6-5, 235, No. 58 TE)
Cuevas (15 of 28), Dippre (13 of 28), Ouzts (8 of 28) all got first-team reps during A-Day, and much like last season, multiple-tight-end sets will be a big part of this year’s offense. Cuevas’ arrival fills the void left by Amari Niblack, and the tight ends have defined roles that fit the offense: Cuevas as a receiving threat, Ouzts as the blocker, and Dippre can do a little of both. Lindsey is a product of a high school program that ran the wing-T, meaning his initial niche probably will be as a blocker, but he has flashed as a pass catcher.
Offensive line
Starters (left to right): Proctor (6-7, 360, Soph.); Tyler Booker (6-5, 352, Jr.); Brailsford; Jaeden Roberts (6-5, 316, Jr.); Elijah Pritchett (6-6, 312, Soph.)
Swing options: Wilkin Formby (6-7, 320, RS Fr.); VanDeMark (6-5, 325, Jr).
Depth: Olaus Alinen (6-6, 326, RS Fr.); Miles McVay (6-6, 350, RS Fr.); Roq Montgomery (6-3, 332, RS Fr.), Joseph Ionata (6-5, 294, Fr.); Casey Poe (6-5, 290, Fr.); William Sanders (6-3, 290, Fr.); Naquil Betrand (6-6, 340, RS Fr.)
The addition of Proctor and VanDeMark in the spring window stabilizes the offensive line and provides some much-needed depth. Presumably, Proctor will re-assume the left tackle position, and don’t be surprised if Formby pushes Pritchett for the starting right tackle spot. Formby took advantage of a spring of first-team reps and showed some good things during A-Day. If Pritchett, who also had a nice A-Day, holds on, Formby’s going to fill a void as the top tackle option off the bench. VanDeMark is the top depth option on the interior.
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Defensive line
Starters: Tim Keenan (6-2, 315, Jr.); Tim Smith (6-4, 302, Sr.); Jah-Marien Latham (6-3, 275, Sr.)
Rotation: Jaheim Oatis (6-5, 320, Jr.); LT Overton (6-5, 265, Jr.); Damon Payne (6-4, 303, Jr.); James Smith (6-3, 296, Soph.)
Depth: Edric Hill (6-3, 294, RS Fr.); Jordan Renaud (6-4, 261, RS Fr.); Hunter Osborne (6-4, 275, RS Fr.); Keon Keeley (6-5, 245, RS Fr.); Jeremiah Beaman (6-3, 259, Fr.); Isaia Faga (6-2, 275, Fr.)
Incoming: Steven Mboumoua (6-4, 260, No. 78 DL)
This position has the most playable depth on the roster. The biggest question is can someone have a Justin Eboigbe-type breakout season? Players like Tim Smith and Jah-Marien Latham have been in the program for years and have the opportunity to take a leap, but they have to play with enough consistency to make that happen. One player who has benefited greatly from the coaching change is Overton, who can maintain his current weight and play a tailor-made position for him: bandit (defensive end), where Latham is the starter. Overton should play heavy snaps and have an impact.
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Outside linebacker (wolf)
Starter: Quandarrius Robinson (6-5, 231, Sr.)
Rotation: Keanu Koht (6-4, 232, Jr.); Qua Russaw (6-2, 242, RS Fr.)
Depth: Yhonzae Pierre (6-3, 223, RS Fr.); Jayshawn Ross (6-4, 220, Fr.)
Incoming: Noah Carter (6-5, 218, No. 8 Edge)
Similar to wide receiver, outside ’backer was a possible portal position to watch, but the staff opted to keep the group intact. Robinson (14/28) and Koht (12/28) were nearly even in first-team snaps at A-Day. Robinson has the edge in experience, but Koht could be the starter by the end of the season as his knowledge of the system and confidence grow. Russaw was one of the biggest risers as spring practice concluded, and he may factor in for some snaps this fall.
Carter, an underrated, early recruiting win for DeBoer, was a top-100 player nationally who flipped from Washington and is a player to watch down the road as an elite pass rusher.
Inside linebacker
Starters: Deontae Lawson (6-2, 230, Jr.); Jihaad Campbell (6-3, 230, Jr.)
Swing LB: Justin Jefferson (6-1, 225, Sr.)
Depth: Jeremiah Alexander (6-2, 249, Soph.); Sterling Dixon (6-3, 211, Fr.); Cayden Jones (6-4, 210, Fr.); Justin Okoronkwo (6-3, 215, Fr.)
Incoming: Quinton Reese (6-0, 205, No. 95 LB)
There could/should be conversations about Lawson and Campbell as one of the nation’s best linebacker tandems by the end of the season. But last season showed the importance of having a swing linebacker to play in case of an injury as Lawson was hampered by an ankle injury, and this spring, Campbell missed the latter part of spring practice. That swing player appears to be Jefferson, who’s much more confident in his second year of Power 5 football and has strong physical traits. Alexander will push, but Jefferson has the inside track as the more experienced player and took all 28 first-team reps during A-Day in Campbell’s absence.
Malachi Moore has 143 tackles during his Alabama career. (Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)
Secondary
Starters: CB — Domani Jackson (6-1, 190, Jr.); CB — DaShawn Jones (6-0, 181, Jr.); Husky — DeVonta Smith (6-0, 194, Sr.); SS — Keon Sabb (6-1, 200, Jr.); FS — Malachi Moore (6-0, 198, Sr.)
Rotation: Zabien Brown (6-0, 180, Fr.), Rydarrius Morgan (6-0, 175, Fr.); Howard (5-11, 198, Soph.)
Depth: Bray Hubbard (6-2, 195, RS Fr.); Jahlil Hurley (6-2, 170, RS Fr.); Mack (5-10, 188, Soph.); Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. (6-0, 192, Fr.); Jaylen Mbakwe (5-11, 170, Fr.); Zay Mincey (6-2, 187, Fr.)
No position added more pieces since January than the secondary. The group is solidified with starters, immediate depth options and pieces for the future. The most interesting storylines include Morgan continuing to push Smith at husky, although a healthy Smith logged most of the first-team reps at A-Day.
This is a group that can include multiple freshmen getting on the field if injuries occur. Brown and Morgan benefited from a spring with the first team, and that momentum should carry into summer as they will need to prepare as if they’ll get significant snaps this fall. The additions of Howard and Mack could help Zay Mincey, who was cross-training at multiple positions this spring, focus on on one position.
(Top photos of Jalen Milroe, Deontae Lawson and Jihaad Campbell: Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images, Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today and Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)
