Running info on Bama.

ajone228

Recruit
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Aug 1, 2017
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Thought I’d start a thread to update Bama stuff heading into our matchup with them Sep 4th.

I plan to clip practice updates etc from their 247 site when I can. Believe they start spring ball later this week.

Very interested to see how Bill o brien does with this new age offense Saban wants him to run as well as how the new QB holds up.
 
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Projected spring ball depth on O:


QUARTERBACK​

Projected starter: Bryce Young
Reserves: Paul Tyson, Jalen Milroe
With Mac Jones turning pro, Alabama will have a new quarterback in 2021. There will be three scholarship signal-callers on campus this spring, but the only one that saw game action during the 2020 season was Young, which is why the former 5-star recruit is listed as the projected starter. Will he face competition? Of course. Tyson is entering his third year, while Milroe is an early enrollee. But Young should benefit from finally going through a spring season.

RUNNING BACK​

Projected starter: Brian Robinson
Reserves: Trey Sanders, Jase McClellan, Roydell Williams, Keilan Robinson, Kyle Edwards
The running back position also saw last year’s starter, Najee Harris, move onto the league. But the Crimson Tide’s second-most experienced back, Brian Robinson, chose to use an extra year of eligibility and should lead the backfield. There are questions surrounding Sanders (hip injury) and Keilan Robinson (2020 opt-out), but younger players like McClellan and Williams will take part in their first springs after combining for 42 carries as true freshman in 2020.

WIDE RECEIVER (X)​

Projected starter: Javon Baker
Reserves: Traeshon Holden, Jacorey Brooks
Alabama has to replace its X receiver from last season, DeVonta Smith, which will be no easy task given the record-setting year for the Heisman Trophy winner. One player that made some noise in the preseason was Baker, but he didn’t contribute much as a freshman in 2020. Still, he has a prime opportunity to do that this season. The same can be said for Holden, who played in five games last year. Brooks will also be an early enrollee to watch in the spring.

WIDE RECEIVER (Z)​

Projected starter: John Metchie
Reserves: Xavier Williams, Agiye Hall
Metchie stepped into the starting lineup at the Y position as a sophomore last season, and with Smith and Jaylen Waddle gone, the now-junior will be Alabama’s No. 1 receiver and lead a wide receiving corps looking for players to step up. Beyond Metchie, guys can move around in order to get on the field, including Williams who is entering his fourth year in the program. The oldest receiver on the roster, he could benefit greatly from a productive spring season.

WIDE RECEIVER (H)​

Projected starter: Slade Bolden
Reserves: Thaiu Jones-Bell, Christian Leary
Waddle is also gone after starting three games during an injury-shortened season. A player that started as many games as the electric receiver/returner is Bolden, who figures to begin spring drills with the first-team offense. Jones-Bell didn’t primarily play in the slot as a freshman a year ago, but at 6-foot, he can line up there or split out wide. A newcomer that could contribute early out of the slot is Leary, who is one of three receivers that enrolled in January.

TIGHT END​

Projected starter: Jahleel Billingsley
Reserves: Major Tennison, Cameron Latu, Caden Clark, Robbie Ouzts
Billingsley had a breakout season in 2020, and with both Miller Forristall and Carl Tucker not using an extra year of eligibility, the now-junior should be an even bigger piece to the offense in 2021. However, the Tide needs others to step up besides Billingsley. Tennison and Latu are in their fifth and fourth years, respectively, and could fill larger roles, starting this spring. UA also added two tight ends in Clark and Ouzts that could challenge their new teammates.

LEFT TACKLE​

Projected starter: Evan Neal
Reserves: Javion Cohen, Dameion George
With Alex Leatherwood entering the draft, Alabama will need a new blindside protector, and it could be that Neal, who will be a junior, starts at his third position in three years. He could also stay at right tackle with another player filling in for Leatherwood, but history suggests Neal, a former 5-star recruit, will move to the opposite side of the line. Cohen and George both played as freshmen and could challenge for the tackle spot opposite Neal this spring.

LEFT GUARD​

Projected starter: Tommy Brown
Reserves: Pierce Quick, Terrence Ferguson
Another starter that won’t be returning is Deonte Brown, who leaves behind big shoes to fill -- both literally and figuratively. But Alabama has several options at the interior positions. For now, we went with Tommy Brown, who is coming into his redshirt junior season and was listed as Brown’s backup in 2020. Others will be vying for the spot, including Quick who missed time due to injury last season. Ferguson is a talented newcomer that should compete, too.

CENTER​

Projected starter: Chris Owens
Reserves: Darrian Dalcourt, James Brockermeyer
Landon ****erson will be difficult to replace both on and off the field, but the player that filled in for him in the Tide’s two College Football Playoff games was Owens. Owens elected to return for a sixth season and has plenty of first-team experience under his belt. He will likely be a part of the first-team offensive line, and center makes the most sense right now. But Dalcourt will push him at the position, as will James Brockermeyer, the top center in the 2021 class.

RIGHT GUARD​

Projected starter: Emil Ekiyor
Reserves: Tanner Bowles, Seth McLaughlin
Ekiyor stepped into the starting lineup last year and started every game at right guard. If Neal does indeed move from right to left tackle, it makes sense for Ekiyor to stay put and help out the new starter at right tackle. Regardless of where he lines up, Ekiyor will be somewhere on the Crimson Tide’s 2020 offensive line. Both Bowles and McLaughlin will look to compete for more reps in spring drills after combining to play in six games as reserves last season.

RIGHT TACKLE​

Projected starter: JC Latham / Tommy Brockermeyer
Reserves: Kendall Randolph, Amari Kight
4COMMENTS
While I wouldn’t be surprised to see Randolph at tackle, or even guard, with the first team to start spring drills, offensive tackle seems like the most likely position where a true freshman can make an immediate impact during the 2021 season. That’s because Alabama signed the top two tackles in the nation this past cycle in Latham and Tommy Brockermeyer, and Nick Saban has shown in the past that he isn’t afraid to plug a freshman into his starting five.
 
Projected spring ball depth on O:


QUARTERBACK​

Projected starter: Bryce Young
Reserves: Paul Tyson, Jalen Milroe
With Mac Jones turning pro, Alabama will have a new quarterback in 2021. There will be three scholarship signal-callers on campus this spring, but the only one that saw game action during the 2020 season was Young, which is why the former 5-star recruit is listed as the projected starter. Will he face competition? Of course. Tyson is entering his third year, while Milroe is an early enrollee. But Young should benefit from finally going through a spring season.

RUNNING BACK​

Projected starter: Brian Robinson
Reserves: Trey Sanders, Jase McClellan, Roydell Williams, Keilan Robinson, Kyle Edwards
The running back position also saw last year’s starter, Najee Harris, move onto the league. But the Crimson Tide’s second-most experienced back, Brian Robinson, chose to use an extra year of eligibility and should lead the backfield. There are questions surrounding Sanders (hip injury) and Keilan Robinson (2020 opt-out), but younger players like McClellan and Williams will take part in their first springs after combining for 42 carries as true freshman in 2020.

WIDE RECEIVER (X)​

Projected starter: Javon Baker
Reserves: Traeshon Holden, Jacorey Brooks
Alabama has to replace its X receiver from last season, DeVonta Smith, which will be no easy task given the record-setting year for the Heisman Trophy winner. One player that made some noise in the preseason was Baker, but he didn’t contribute much as a freshman in 2020. Still, he has a prime opportunity to do that this season. The same can be said for Holden, who played in five games last year. Brooks will also be an early enrollee to watch in the spring.

WIDE RECEIVER (Z)​

Projected starter: John Metchie
Reserves: Xavier Williams, Agiye Hall
Metchie stepped into the starting lineup at the Y position as a sophomore last season, and with Smith and Jaylen Waddle gone, the now-junior will be Alabama’s No. 1 receiver and lead a wide receiving corps looking for players to step up. Beyond Metchie, guys can move around in order to get on the field, including Williams who is entering his fourth year in the program. The oldest receiver on the roster, he could benefit greatly from a productive spring season.

WIDE RECEIVER (H)​

Projected starter: Slade Bolden
Reserves: Thaiu Jones-Bell, Christian Leary
Waddle is also gone after starting three games during an injury-shortened season. A player that started as many games as the electric receiver/returner is Bolden, who figures to begin spring drills with the first-team offense. Jones-Bell didn’t primarily play in the slot as a freshman a year ago, but at 6-foot, he can line up there or split out wide. A newcomer that could contribute early out of the slot is Leary, who is one of three receivers that enrolled in January.

TIGHT END​

Projected starter: Jahleel Billingsley
Reserves: Major Tennison, Cameron Latu, Caden Clark, Robbie Ouzts
Billingsley had a breakout season in 2020, and with both Miller Forristall and Carl Tucker not using an extra year of eligibility, the now-junior should be an even bigger piece to the offense in 2021. However, the Tide needs others to step up besides Billingsley. Tennison and Latu are in their fifth and fourth years, respectively, and could fill larger roles, starting this spring. UA also added two tight ends in Clark and Ouzts that could challenge their new teammates.

LEFT TACKLE​

Projected starter: Evan Neal
Reserves: Javion Cohen, Dameion George
With Alex Leatherwood entering the draft, Alabama will need a new blindside protector, and it could be that Neal, who will be a junior, starts at his third position in three years. He could also stay at right tackle with another player filling in for Leatherwood, but history suggests Neal, a former 5-star recruit, will move to the opposite side of the line. Cohen and George both played as freshmen and could challenge for the tackle spot opposite Neal this spring.

LEFT GUARD​

Projected starter: Tommy Brown
Reserves: Pierce Quick, Terrence Ferguson
Another starter that won’t be returning is Deonte Brown, who leaves behind big shoes to fill -- both literally and figuratively. But Alabama has several options at the interior positions. For now, we went with Tommy Brown, who is coming into his redshirt junior season and was listed as Brown’s backup in 2020. Others will be vying for the spot, including Quick who missed time due to injury last season. Ferguson is a talented newcomer that should compete, too.

CENTER​

Projected starter: Chris Owens
Reserves: Darrian Dalcourt, James Brockermeyer
Landon ****erson will be difficult to replace both on and off the field, but the player that filled in for him in the Tide’s two College Football Playoff games was Owens. Owens elected to return for a sixth season and has plenty of first-team experience under his belt. He will likely be a part of the first-team offensive line, and center makes the most sense right now. But Dalcourt will push him at the position, as will James Brockermeyer, the top center in the 2021 class.

RIGHT GUARD​

Projected starter: Emil Ekiyor
Reserves: Tanner Bowles, Seth McLaughlin
Ekiyor stepped into the starting lineup last year and started every game at right guard. If Neal does indeed move from right to left tackle, it makes sense for Ekiyor to stay put and help out the new starter at right tackle. Regardless of where he lines up, Ekiyor will be somewhere on the Crimson Tide’s 2020 offensive line. Both Bowles and McLaughlin will look to compete for more reps in spring drills after combining to play in six games as reserves last season.

RIGHT TACKLE​

Projected starter: JC Latham / Tommy Brockermeyer
Reserves: Kendall Randolph, Amari Kight
4COMMENTS
While I wouldn’t be surprised to see Randolph at tackle, or even guard, with the first team to start spring drills, offensive tackle seems like the most likely position where a true freshman can make an immediate impact during the 2021 season. That’s because Alabama signed the top two tackles in the nation this past cycle in Latham and Tommy Brockermeyer, and Nick Saban has shown in the past that he isn’t afraid to plug a freshman into his starting five.
Thank you for the excellent overview of Alabama's Offense! Will you provide a similar recap of their Defense? Greatly appreciate your work and effort!
 
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As noted by @htownkidd the defensive breakdown was done yesterday.


DEFENSIVE END​

Projected starter: LaBryan Ray
Reserves: Byron Young, Stephon Wynn, Jah-Marien Latham
After starting the first three games of the 2020 season, Ray missed six games last year due to a lingering elbow injury. He’s back for a fifth season and will lead an experienced defensive line that has multiple players with starts under their belts, including Young, who is once again set to play a big role in the rotation this fall. Wynn is entering his fourth season, while Latham is now in Year 2. Both could provide depth. There will also be a couple of additions this summer.

NOSE GUARD​

Projected starter: DJ Dale
Reserves: Tim Smith, Jamil Burroughs
Dale has started 22 of the Crimson Tide’s 26 games the past two years and has battled injuries throughout his tenure. He should once again be at the front of the nose guard line this spring as he gets ready for his junior season. Smith and Burroughs both played as true freshmen a year ago with Smith seeing more and more reps as the season progressed. With a strong spring, the now-sophomore could continue to see first-team reps in the middle of the D-line.

DEFENSIVE END​

Projected starter: Justin Eboigbe
Reserves: Phidarian Mathis, Braylen Ingraham, Monkell Goodwine
Ray, Eboigbe, Mathis and Young could all be on the projected starter line, if we’re being honest. But Eboigbe gets the nod opposite Ray here after starting nine games during Alabama’s 2020 campaign. Both he and Mathis will play a ton this fall. Ingraham has been in the program for two years, but a big spring could potentially earn him more reps. That is if he can hold off younger players like Goodwine, who is UA’s only early enrollee defensive lineman.

SAM LINEBACKER​

Projected starter: Christopher Allen
Reserves: King Mwikuta, Chris Braswell, Quandarrius Robinson
Allen saw the majority of the first-team snaps at the Sam linebacker position this fall season and led the team in tackles for loss (13.0). The veteran will once again lead an outside linebacker group that is arguably the deepest position on UA’s 2021 roster. Mwikuta is a player that some believed could play a larger role last year, while both Braswell and Robinson have now spent a year in the program and could be ready to contribute as sophomores this fall.

MIKE LINEBACKER​

Projected starter: Jaylen Moody
Reserves: Shane Lee, Jackson Bratton, Deontae Lawson
With Dylan Moses gone, Alabama has an opening at inside linebacker. Moody stepped in for Christian Harris at Arkansas last season and played well with the first-team defense. That is why he’s the projected starter here entering the spring. But it isn’t a foregone conclusion that Moody will be the guy because of competition. Lee was the Mike for a full season in 2019, and it’s still possible the Crimson Tide adds an inside ‘backer via the transfer portal.

WILL LINEBACKER​

Projected starter: Christian Harris
Reserves: Demouy Kennedy, Ian Jackson
Harris is back and will be on the field for a third straight season. He looked more comfortable and in control in 2020, leading one to believe his 2021 campaign might be his best yet. There are some talented young players behind him, though, including Kennedy, who played in four games as a true freshman last year, and Bratton, who we listed as a reserve at Mike. The Tide will also have two promising early enrollees on campus in Jackson and Lawson.

JACK LINEBACKER​

Projected starter: Will Anderson
Reserves: Drew Sanders, Jarez Parks, Keanu Koht
As a true freshman in 2020, Anderson started every game of Alabama’s national championship season. But this will be the linebacker’s first spring at the college level, which could help him be even better for his sophomore year. It will be the first springs for a lot of players like Sanders, who was Anderson’s backup at the Jack position last fall. That duo looks to be the future of the position with a veteran like Parks and a newcomer like Koht also competing.

CORNERBACK​

Projected starter: Josh Jobe
Reserves: Brandon Turnage, Jahquez Robinson
Jobe started all 13 games last year, too, and helped give the Tide one of the best cornerback tandems in the entire country. He enters this spring as the most experienced corner on the 2021 roster and will look to lead a talented but inexperienced position unit. Turnage is now a redshirt sophomore and could challenge at the opening opposite Jobe. Robinson will also look to be in the mix as he gets ready for his second year in the program -- and first spring.

CORNERBACK​

Projected starter: Jalyn Armour-Davis
Reserves: Marcus Banks, Ronald Williams, Ga’Quincy McKinstry
One of the biggest holes to fill in the starting lineup is the one left vacant by Patrick Surtain II, a unanimous All-American for Alabama in 2020. Every corner not named Jobe will be competing for his spot, and as the first day of spring approaches, we give the early nod to a player that was in the same signing class as Surtain and Jobe -- Armour-Davis. But the redshirt junior will face competition from Banks and Williams and former 5-star recruit, McKinstry.

STAR​

Projected starter: Malachi Moore
Reserves: Brian Branch, Jalyn Armour-Davis
Moore, when healthy, was Alabama’s starting Star as a true freshman, and he should fill that spot in the lineup again as a sophomore. When Moore missed time late in the season due to injury, Branch stepped in as the starter at Star, including in the national championship game. We also saw Armour-Davis get some reps there when the Tide would play six defensive backs. A mix of safeties and cornerbacks gives Alabama some quality options in the slot.

FREE SAFETY​

Projected starter: DeMarcco Hellams
Reserves: Daniel Wright, Kristian Story
The safety position spot Jordan Battle will be one of the positions to watch this offseason, as Alabama has several players that saw game reps there last season. Wright started 10 games at free safety but usually wasn’t on the field in the second half, being replaced by Hellams, who started both College Football Playoff games. Branch is another player that could be in the mix there, as well as Story, who will go through his first spring practices later this week.

STRONG SAFETY​

Projected starter: Jordan Battle
Reserves: Brian Branch
15COMMENTS
Safety isn’t a deep position, at least not for the spring season -- although more help will arrive this summer. But Battle is back and will be one of the leaders in 2021, not only in the defensive backfield but on the entire defense. Younger guys like Branch and Story, again, will push their veteran teammates here. Alabama also has 247Sports 5-star Terrion Arnold set to enroll after the semester, and he should add depth and compete following spring practice.
 
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Alabama lost a lot of production on both sides of the ball. I'm sure the guys that move into those vacated positions will be equally as talented. The thing they'll have less of is experience. They may still be the best team in college football, but this is Miami's best case scenario of breaking in a new QB with not much experience in a brand new offense. Hopefully it takes them 2-3 quarters or more to get on track.

On one hand you have perhaps the best team in college football with less experienced personnel going against a less talented more mature and experienced team. It's going to be interesting how it plays out. I just hope it's a competive game.
 
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Thought I’d start a thread to update Bama stuff heading into our matchup with them Sep 4th.

I plan to clip practice updates etc from their 247 site when I can. Believe they start spring ball later this week.

Very interested to see how Bill o brien does with this new age offense Saban wants him to run as well as how the new QB holds up.
Yeah if you see any good articles about this let me know. On the surface this transition makes very little sense.

Sark - extremely adaptable OC who's all about making things simple and letting his players shine. Doesn't adjust to opponent even when his players ask him to because he doesn't want them thinking. Offense is fused together and playcalls are driven by defensive schemes. Cover 2? Run the ball. Single high zone? RPOs. Single high man? Deep crossers that look like RPOs initially. Get the ball to your playmakers in space.

BOB - massive playbook, tons of sight and coverage adjustments for QBs and WRs, tons of formations, route concepts that challenge WRs to win without scheme help.

Bama is a well-oiled machine that's seemingly too big to fail but if BOB does anything except carry the torch that Sark passed this could be a disaster. Tons of new starters and likely talent downgrades on that offense too at a lot of key positions.
 
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Alabama lost a lot of production on both sides of the ball. I'm sure the guys that move into those vacated positions will be equally as talented. The thing they'll have less of is experience. They may still be the best team in college football, but this is Miami's best case scenario of breaking in a new QB with not much experience in a brand new offense. Hopefully it takes them 2-3 quarters or more to get on track.

On one hand you have best team in college football with less experienced personnel going against a less talented more mature and experienced team. It's going to be interesting how it plays out. I just hope it's a competive game.
This is the year to get them but its def a dropoff from last years team. The key i think is our oline vs their dline.
 
This is the year to get them but its def a dropoff from last years team. The key i think is our oline vs their dline.
I also think the WRs vs CBs on each team will play a huge roll. Are the WRs winning or getting shut down? Same for them. Glad we have Stevenson on one side and Couch, Blades, and Ivey have to step up. Our safties should be deep and locked in.
 
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As someone already stated, I’m still new to recruiting but I recognize multiple kids we both had offers out too, with Bama obviously winning the vast majority, with kids signing on the dotted lines for Baga. Same too that we’re catching the Tide with probably their most turnover in quite awhile. It will be incumbent on Manny and Rhett to keep things simple leading up to the game and allow our kids, with their superior experience, to shine. We can’t get too cute trying go-go-gadget plays throughout the matchup. If there’s a time to catch Nicky with his pants down it’s Game #1. If we can start off hot and somehow, someway get a lead early I think Bill will press on offense trying to show that things haven’t changed with Sark gone now to Austin. That would be the perfect time for a key TO to swing the game wide open. Here’s hoping the game starts off in our favor. We can’t get into a scoring match with the likes of their 4-5* players across every position. Better to muddy it up and frustrate O’Brien into some mistakes.
 


DEFENSIVE END​

Projected starter: LaBryan Ray
Reserves: Byron Young, Stephon Wynn, Jah-Marien Latham
After starting the first three games of the 2020 season, Ray missed six games last year due to a lingering elbow injury. He’s back for a fifth season and will lead an experienced defensive line that has multiple players with starts under their belts, including Young, who is once again set to play a big role in the rotation this fall. Wynn is entering his fourth season, while Latham is now in Year 2. Both could provide depth. There will also be a couple of additions this summer.

NOSE GUARD​

Projected starter: DJ Dale
Reserves: Tim Smith, Jamil Burroughs
Dale has started 22 of the Crimson Tide’s 26 games the past two years and has battled injuries throughout his tenure. He should once again be at the front of the nose guard line this spring as he gets ready for his junior season. Smith and Burroughs both played as true freshmen a year ago with Smith seeing more and more reps as the season progressed. With a strong spring, the now-sophomore could continue to see first-team reps in the middle of the D-line.

DEFENSIVE END​

Projected starter: Justin Eboigbe
Reserves: Phidarian Mathis, Braylen Ingraham, Monkell Goodwine
Ray, Eboigbe, Mathis and Young could all be on the projected starter line, if we’re being honest. But Eboigbe gets the nod opposite Ray here after starting nine games during Alabama’s 2020 campaign. Both he and Mathis will play a ton this fall. Ingraham has been in the program for two years, but a big spring could potentially earn him more reps. That is if he can hold off younger players like Goodwine, who is UA’s only early enrollee defensive lineman.

SAM LINEBACKER​

Projected starter: Christopher Allen
Reserves: King Mwikuta, Chris Braswell, Quandarrius Robinson
Allen saw the majority of the first-team snaps at the Sam linebacker position this fall season and led the team in tackles for loss (13.0). The veteran will once again lead an outside linebacker group that is arguably the deepest position on UA’s 2021 roster. Mwikuta is a player that some believed could play a larger role last year, while both Braswell and Robinson have now spent a year in the program and could be ready to contribute as sophomores this fall.

MIKE LINEBACKER​

Projected starter: Jaylen Moody
Reserves: Shane Lee, Jackson Bratton, Deontae Lawson
With Dylan Moses gone, Alabama has an opening at inside linebacker. Moody stepped in for Christian Harris at Arkansas last season and played well with the first-team defense. That is why he’s the projected starter here entering the spring. But it isn’t a foregone conclusion that Moody will be the guy because of competition. Lee was the Mike for a full season in 2019, and it’s still possible the Crimson Tide adds an inside ‘backer via the transfer portal.

WILL LINEBACKER​

Projected starter: Christian Harris
Reserves: Demouy Kennedy, Ian Jackson
Harris is back and will be on the field for a third straight season. He looked more comfortable and in control in 2020, leading one to believe his 2021 campaign might be his best yet. There are some talented young players behind him, though, including Kennedy, who played in four games as a true freshman last year, and Bratton, who we listed as a reserve at Mike. The Tide will also have two promising early enrollees on campus in Jackson and Lawson.

JACK LINEBACKER​

Projected starter: Will Anderson
Reserves: Drew Sanders, Jarez Parks, Keanu Koht
As a true freshman in 2020, Anderson started every game of Alabama’s national championship season. But this will be the linebacker’s first spring at the college level, which could help him be even better for his sophomore year. It will be the first springs for a lot of players like Sanders, who was Anderson’s backup at the Jack position last fall. That duo looks to be the future of the position with a veteran like Parks and a newcomer like Koht also competing.

CORNERBACK​

Projected starter: Josh Jobe
Reserves: Brandon Turnage, Jahquez Robinson
Jobe started all 13 games last year, too, and helped give the Tide one of the best cornerback tandems in the entire country. He enters this spring as the most experienced corner on the 2021 roster and will look to lead a talented but inexperienced position unit. Turnage is now a redshirt sophomore and could challenge at the opening opposite Jobe. Robinson will also look to be in the mix as he gets ready for his second year in the program -- and first spring.

CORNERBACK​

Projected starter: Jalyn Armour-Davis
Reserves: Marcus Banks, Ronald Williams, Ga’Quincy McKinstry
One of the biggest holes to fill in the starting lineup is the one left vacant by Patrick Surtain II, a unanimous All-American for Alabama in 2020. Every corner not named Jobe will be competing for his spot, and as the first day of spring approaches, we give the early nod to a player that was in the same signing class as Surtain and Jobe -- Armour-Davis. But the redshirt junior will face competition from Banks and Williams and former 5-star recruit, McKinstry.

STAR​

Projected starter: Malachi Moore
Reserves: Brian Branch, Jalyn Armour-Davis
Moore, when healthy, was Alabama’s starting Star as a true freshman, and he should fill that spot in the lineup again as a sophomore. When Moore missed time late in the season due to injury, Branch stepped in as the starter at Star, including in the national championship game. We also saw Armour-Davis get some reps there when the Tide would play six defensive backs. A mix of safeties and cornerbacks gives Alabama some quality options in the slot.

FREE SAFETY​

Projected starter: DeMarcco Hellams
Reserves: Daniel Wright, Kristian Story
The safety position spot Jordan Battle will be one of the positions to watch this offseason, as Alabama has several players that saw game reps there last season. Wright started 10 games at free safety but usually wasn’t on the field in the second half, being replaced by Hellams, who started both College Football Playoff games. Branch is another player that could be in the mix there, as well as Story, who will go through his first spring practices later this week.

STRONG SAFETY​

Projected starter: Jordan Battle
Reserves: Brian Branch
Safety isn’t a deep position, at least not for the spring season -- although more help will arrive this summer. But Battle is back and will be one of the leaders in 2021, not only in the defensive backfield but on the entire defense. Younger guys like Branch and Story, again, will push their veteran teammates here. Alabama also has 247Sports 5-star Terrion Arnold set to enroll after the semester, and he should add depth and compete following spring practice.
 
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