Let's get into it -- a FULL breakdown of Alabama's Roster as of February 2025.

If you're on a desktop, I would recommend navigating to Alabama's team page and clicking the roster tab while reading this article, or you can just click this link. https://sec-analysis.com/organizations/6

This view provides a great understanding of what players are at each position and gives context on their previous history - we'll talk through most of the scholarship players in this article. Enjoy!

* indicates new high school signee

(T) indicates transfer

Quarterback:

• Ty Simpson

• Austin Mack

• Keelon Russell*

Alabama's quarterback room certainly lacks experience. Ty Simpson threw 25 passes for the Tide in 2024 and 20 passes in 2023, while Austin Mack has only thrown 3 passes his entire career - all in the Mercer game this past fall for Alabama. With Keelon Russell already enrolled, I expect this quarterback battle to be wide open this spring. Let's talk about the upside and downside for these 3 guys.

Since we have college tape and throws on Ty Simpson, he's probably the one we know the most about. After watching his 25 attempts from last year and how he operated the offense, I feel okay about him. He's not a bad athlete, but he's not going to win you many games if you ask him to continually move the chains with his legs. For Ty Simpson to be efficient in Deboer and Grubb's offense, he will need to be extremely operational in their system - meaning that he has to make the right decisions over and over. Every single read in the RPO game, all the short to intermediate throws, Ty has to be extremely efficient in those plays - make the layups all the time. I think he can be accurate enough; his arm strength is fine enough to get it done - it's nothing crazy. I do think there's some work to be done with his pocket presence and ability to move forward in the pocket to avoid pressure, but we don't have a ton of reps to prove one way or the other.

Let's move on to Austin Mack, who transferred to Alabama from Washington once Deboer took the head job in Tuscaloosa. He's a big kid, official Alabama website has him listed at 6'6 / 236. He got in late against Mercer, but I find it interesting that Dylan Lonergan (who transferred to Boston College) went in ahead of Mack, meaning Mack was the 4th string QB at the time. He did come in the game and throw a 31 yard touchdown, albeit on a very wobbly ball down the sideline to Rico Scott. I took to his high school tape to see more throws, but unfortunately Folsom High School doesn't have full game tape, so i'm stuck with highlights, which can only give you so much. From the highlight tape, yeah he has a plenty good enough arm, I like his footwork, he checks a lot of very basic boxes about a Power 4 QB. Throws with good anticipation. He doesn't come across as super mobile, more of a pocket passer, although I did see him make a few good throws moving to his right when the pocket collapses. Overall, eh, I don't know. Probably won't beat out the next kid we're going to talk about.

Last, but certainly not least, the five-star, Keelon Russell. Thank goodness that Duncanville is a big-time high school and so they have game footage on Youtube. Now we can do some real evaluation. Keelon Russell is a little slight at the moment at 6'3 and only 182 pounds, but I am very high on this kid. Watching full game film is crucial because we get to see how he does all the little things, all the RPO decisions, and I am impressed. There's been a few instances where I felt like he made the wrong decision to throw the ball when the read was a give (to the back), on RPOs, but for the most part he's seeing it well and distributing the ball in the right spot. He's got a great release, really quick and fluid, although he short arms the ball occasionally. He's sudden and elusive in the pocket, reminds me of Bryce Young how he can sink his hips to evade rushers and then reset his feet. I like his athleticism a lot, but it's clear he wants to win with his arm which is a great sign. I think he's extremely accurate - I like where he puts the football not only on intermediate and downfield throws but also on the short stuff: the swing routes, the now screens, the flare screens - it's good. If Ty Simpson and Austin Mack aren't executing at a high level by fall camp, it absolutely wouldn't shock me to see the Tide go with Russell. He's a star.

Runningback:

• Jam Miller

• Richard Young

• Daniel Hill

• Kevin Riley

• Dre'lyn Washington (T)

• Akylin Dear*

Jam Miller returns to Alabama after rushing for 668 yards in 2024, slated to be the #1 back and command most of the carries for the Tide. I'm a Jam Miller fan - he's a very solid back, but he's not elite. Miller is strong, above average agility and short area quickness, good vision. He also does a pretty good job in pass pro and catching the ball out of the backfield. You can win with Jam - let's move on.

Richard Young, Daniel Hill, and Kevin Riley primarily operated in a reserve role for the Tide last year. Young finished the year with the most carries of the three backs - 27 carries for 146 yards (5.4 YPC). He has the biggest up-side to me. He's got a great frame at 5'11 / 220. I think he's a one-cut type guy - meaning he's going to pick his spot and accelerate there. I don't think he's going to be a guy who's great in small spaces, but I do like what he has. We got to see a little of his skillset at the end of the LSU game where he had 6 carries for 27 yards and a TD. Daniel Hill is 6'1 / 240, and I don't think his skillset at RB is a long-term answer for the tide. Kevin Riley is an all-around back who has a lot of 3rd down value - nothing elite though.

Dre'lyn Washington, the Louisiana transfer, to me, looks stiff. He ran for 478 yards on 73 carries last year for the Ragin' Cajuns, but I just don't see a ton in him. His highlight tape doesn't give us much -- just running into wide open holes. He doesn't show a ton of lateral quickness or ability to stick his foot in the ground. One thing I will say, at 5'9 / 225, he does have nice strength and can break arm tackles on inside runs - so I like that. He's added depth to the middle of the room in my opinion.

Akylin Dear is the incoming freshman from Quitman, MS. Nothing elite jumps out to me watching his tape. I think he's got decent change of direction and ability to stick his foot in the ground. Long speed isn't off the charts but it's fine. He makes the free man miss with a little bit of everything: size, strength, touch of wiggle - overall good player.

Wide Receiver:

• Ryan Williams

• Germie Bernard

• Cole Adams

• Rico Scott

• Jalen Hale

• Bubba Hampton

• Isaiah Horton (T)

• Derek Meadows*

• Lotzeir Brooks*

I'm not going to spend much talking about Ryan Williams, who is 18 years old now, which is huge for commentators. But, he's a freak - insane ball skills and body control. Hope he's a hard worker and keeps getting better and stronger because the sky is the limit. Germie Bernard - so so solid. Love to have this guy on a roster. He's reliable. He wins matchups consistently, precise route runner, sure-handed, and he's fairly good after the catch. You take this guy on your team every day.

Cole Adams is returning from injury, but he's a quality slot and punt returner. Combined with his twitch and short area quickness, he has great hands and ability to find soft spots in the zone. I don't know much about Rico Scott and Bubba Hampton, those guys were rotating in after Emmanuel Henderson and Caleb Odom, so I think they are probably going to be backups long term, but who knows.

Isaiah Horton is headed to Bama after catching 56 passes for 616 yards and 5 TDs last year for Miami. Granted, Cam Ward throwing for 4300+ yards gives guys a lot of opportunities to catch the football, but Horton looks the part. At 6'4 / 205, he does a good job using his body to shield defenders on inside routes and displays good hands. Horton catches the ball on the move very frequently, keeping his feet on the ground and enabling him to stay moving for YAC. He's got good mobility to be 6'4. Expect him to be a significant contributor for Alabama next year.

Sorry to incoming freshman Lotzeir Brooks (5'11 / 185) and Derek Meadows (6'6 / 205) - I've got to keep it moving for this breakdown and this WR room is stacked with the addition of Isaiah Horton. Onward!

Tight End:

• Josh Cuevas

• Peter Knudson (T)

• Marshall Pritchett*

• Kaleb Edwards*

Josh Cuevas finished the 2024 season with 16 catches for 218 yards, and he projects as the #1 TE this fall. After starting his career at Cal Poly, he transferred to Washington for the 2023, and then he followed to Deboer to Alabama. Cuevas is a decent player - listed at 6'3 / 251, I wish he was a smidge taller, but he's an effective TE in the passing game who runs and moves fairly well. It seems like the Bama staff preferred Ouzts in blocking scenarios last year and then felt better about Dippre as a pass catcher and route winner, but Dippre finished the year with only five more catches than Cuevas. Overall, good player.

This Peter Knudson transfer situation is interesting - I didn't realize until writing this article that he's a walk-on for Bama. He played all over the place for Weber State: enrolling as a QB before moving to LB and then eventually TE. There's almost no clips on him, but I saw 2 of his catches and he seems like a decent athlete - LOTS of unknowns there.

Marshall Pritchett is a tough eval. He's playing private school football, so the competition is questionable at best. He's quicker than he is fast at 6'5 / 211. He'll need to add a good bit of weight to be able to block consistently in the SEC, but he has plenty of athleticism. He can high point the football well, good hands. Long term, he's more of a receiving threat than he is a guy you run the ball behind.

Kaleb Edwards was made in a factory - phenomenal body type for the tight end position. He measured in at Alabama at 6'6 / 240 already, and that gives me great comfort that he can add 15-20 lbs and still move how he does. With that size, he has a chance to be an every down TE who can block against the run and still win matchups against LBs and DBs. He's not uber quick, but the combination of size, strength, and the quickness he does have is a really quality skillset.

Offensive Line:

• Parker Brailsford

• Kadyn Proctor

• Jaeden Roberts

• Geno VanDeMark

• Wilkin Formby

• Kam Dewberry (T)

• Arkel Anugwom (T)

• Casey Poe

• Roq Montgomery

• Joseph Ionata

• William Sanders

• Michael Carroll*

• Jackson Lloyd*

• Micah DeBose*

• Mal Waldrep*

I won't be able to touch on all 15 linemen, but we can at least concentrate on the most likely to play. You know what you have in Brailsford, Proctor, and Roberts. I'm assuming those 3 guys return at the respective spots at C, LT, RG. Then, Geno VanDeMark and Wilkin Formby both return after playing a good bit of snaps last year as well. With Tyler Booker exiting to the NFL, it seems as though Texas A&M transfer Kam Dewberry could slide easily into the LG role, leaving the biggest question mark to be right tackle. Wilkin Formby left a lot to be desired in several games last year -- committing 3 holding penalties in the South Florida game. I think Formby has a chance, though. I don't think he's the most athletic player on the field, but with a little more time and another offseason, I think he can be a decent player.

For Arkel Anugwom, the transfer from Ball State - I have no clue on this kid. Seems like he played about 100 snaps in 4 games at right tackle for Ball State - doubt he slides into a starting role for the Tide. Roq Montgomery is going to be an interior guy, so he's not the answer at tackle. Unless one of the incoming freshman can be ready at RT by the fall, it seems like it's going to be Formby's job to lose.

Overall this is a pretty good group with solid experience. If the Tide can solve the RT spot, they'll be in business.

Defensive Line:

• Tim Keenan III

• Jah-Marien Latham

• James Smith

• Kelby Collins (T)

• Isaia Faga

• Jordan Renaud

• Jeremiah Beaman

• Edric Hill

• Justin Hill*

• London Simmons*

Alabama fans should be very pleased that Tim Keenan and Jah-Marien Latham are returning on the defensive line. Latham anchored the bandit spot for Kane Wommack's defense all year, while Keenan held down one of the tackle spots. With Tim Smith gone, the other DT spot next to Tim Keenan III is wide open. Alabama will be searching for depth on the interior, with returner James Smith being the most likely to fill the open DT position. Smith is 6'3 / 296 and has more of a run-defense type skillset. Smith uses his hands very well and displays good quickness off the ball - very active player. He showed some spark in the bowl game against Michigan.

Florida transfer, Kelby Collins, played at a variety of spots for the Gators between 2023 and 2024. To me, he projects as a DE behind Latham or maybe a DE on the other side when Bama plays more of a 4-3. Qua Russaw is being lumped into the linebackers due to Kane Wommack's 3-4 system, but he's an extremely efficient edge guy who returns.

Two other players that started to come along toward the end of the year are Jordan Renaud and Jeremiah Beaman. Renaud saw his snaps increase throughout the year, and then Beaman had first two career tackles and a QB hurry against Michigan in the bowl game. Beaman has put on about 30 pounds since arriving in Tuscaloosa a year ago and could play several spots on the defensive front.

Linebacker:

• Deontae Lawson

• Qua Russaw

• Justin Jefferson

• Yhonzae Pierre

• Keon Keeley

• Nikhai Hill-Green (T)

• Noah Carter

• QB Reese

• Darrell Johnson*

• Abduall Sanders*

• Luke Metz*

Russaw is back at the WOLF which really acts as a Buck/Jack/Edge player who primarily rushes the QB but drops into coverage occasionally. Although you'd like a little more length on this type of player, Russaw's get off and mobility make up for what he lacks in length. He's got good COD (change of direction) and physicality which helps him in the run-game. Keon Keeley and Yhonzae Pierre were both freshman last year who will fight for playing time at the WOLF/JACK. Keeley has phenomenal size at 6'5 / 277, hopefully he continues to progress.

Deontae Lawson will be coming back after this injury - hopefully he can get to 100% and have another solid year for the Tide. Lawson is a really good college player who did a lot for the Alabama defense in 2024.

Jihaad Campbell is off to the NFL, which leaves Kane Wommack's STING position open, also known as the WILL backer. #15 Justin Jefferson backed up Deontae Lawson at the MIKE last year, and I think Deontae Lawson could potentially slide over to the STING, leaving Jefferson to play the MIKE. Jefferson doesn't run very well and he's a little stiff, which makes him a better fit as a MIKE. When I saw that Alabama got Colorado transfer Nikhai Hill-Green, I was expecting him to be an outside LB who could play the STING, but after watching the tape, he's not. He's a true MIKE as well. Hill-Green is a good player - 6'2 / 230 - average COD and range but can read and react well - good tackler - could struggle in man coverage, but he has great play strength to defend the run.

I don't think any of the incoming freshman will be difference makers in year one. Luke Metz is a kid who's straight line speed is great, but I worry he's too stiff to play LB in the SEC. He's not very sudden and lacks some strength at the POA - just okay in my opinion. Abduall Sanders is a guy I really like. He will strike you - very physical - can close - shows ability to key and diagnose plays - good COD. Great size at 6'2 / 225 already. Darrell Johnson is a tweener - a little undersized right now - needs to add weight to play SEC LB - shows good athletic ability and COD - runs well - good motor - I like his skillset overall just need to figure out what he is.

Defensive Back:

Safety:

• Keon Sabb

• Bray Hubbard

• Zay Mincey

• Kameron Howard

After Keon Sabb went down last season, Bray Hubbard stepped up and played some good football down the stretch for the Tide. Sabb and Hubbard on the back end is a good group. We got our first real look at Zay Mincey in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Michigan, where he started in place of Malachi Moore and finished with 7 tackles. He has phenomenal size at 6'3 / 205 - looks physical - competes in the run game - COD is average - stiffness concerns me - decent long speed but he's a strider - projects as a box safety, could struggle in coverage.

Corner:

• Zabien Brown

• Domani Jackson

• Jaylen Mbakwe (?)

• Cameron Calhoun (T)

Zabien Brown and Domani Jackson are both back for the Tide after solid performances in 2024. Zabien Brown started all 13 games as a true freshman and played well. He's going to keep improving - you have to like what you have. The biggest question in the corner back group is depth. Is Mbakwe going to practice on offense and defense? Cameron Calhoun is an incoming transfer from Utah - listed at 6'0 / 177 - has a slight build - can close - can take the ball away - good ball skills. Calhoun spent his first year at Michigan before transferring to Utah, so Alabama will be his 3rd stop. He led the Utes in pass breakups even though he only started one game, which I found intriguing. He adds some nice depth at the corner spot.

Husky (Nickel):

• DaShawn Jones

• Red Morgan

Devonta Smith, who started at the Husky all of last year, is off to Notre Dame - that leaves Red Morgan and DaShawn Jones with experience at the Husky position on the Alabama roster. Alabama's staff seems to prefer Jones over Morgan, and I agree. I don't think Jones is elite or anything, but he's a solid athlete who has good coverage skills and is a good tackler at the nickel spot - he could get a little stronger to defend the run but he's a good player.

Kicker:

• Conor Talty

• Tucker Cornelius

With former Lou Groza award winner Graham Nicholson headed to the next level, there's a big question mark at Kicker for Alabama. Talty has to be the favorite here.

Punter:

• Alex Asparuhov*

• Anderson Green

James Burnip was an electric punter for Alabama, and he's gone as well. It's going to be up to the incoming freshman Asparuhov or the Tuscaloosa native, Anderson Green.

Overall, this Alabama roster is in relatively good shape. If there is a quarterback on this roster that can be efficient for the Tide, they have a good chance to be a playoff team.