Projecting Alabama Football depth chart before fall camp: Offense

Alabama will return to the practice field on Wednesday, July 31, so what better time than the present to break down its depth chart – albeit a projected one – for the 2024 season?

First off, let’s make one thing clear: this is not the Crimson Tide’s official depth chart. This one is derived from what transpired in the spring, what we saw during the media viewing periods and A-Day Game and what we think will happen. With the explanations out of the way, BOL takes a stab at projecting Alabama’s depth chart ahead of its preseason camp.

We start with a breakdown of the offensive side of the ball.

QUARTERBACK

Projected starter: Jalen Milroe

Top challenger: Ty Simpson

Reserves: Dylan Lonergan , Austin Mack

Even though there was a new head coach and offensive coordinator, Milroe started and ended the spring as Alabama’s starting quarterback. That won’t change when the Tide opens camp in a week either. A dynamic athlete, Milroe will once again be behind center when Alabama kicks off its 2024 season, and if he can improve under Kalen DeBoer ’s direction, this offense will be a lot of fun to watch. Behind Milroe, the pecking order is as expected, too, with Simpson holding serve as his backup and Lonergan and Mack being QB3 and QB4.

RUNNING BACK

Projected starter: Justice Haynes

Top challengers: Jamarion Miller , Richard Young

Reserves: Daniel Hill , Kevin Riley

As the spring progressed, Haynes was consistently at the front of the line during individual drills all the way through the scrimmage work at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama needs a new No. 1 back, and the sophomore appears to be that, which is not a surprise given how he looked in his Rose Bowl opportunities. He and Miller give the Tide a talented tandem at tailback, while Young looks ready to step into the No. 3 running back role. Even after losing its top two rushers, UA’s ground game appears to be in good shape prior to camp.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Projected starters: Germie Bernard , Kendrick Law , Kobe Prentice

Top challengers: Emmanuel Henderson , Cole Adams , Caleb Odom , Ryan Williams

Reserves: Jalen Hale , Jaren Hamilton , Bubba Hampton , Amari Jefferson , Rico Scott

The first three wide receivers we saw on the field in the A-Day Game were Bernard, Law and Prentice. It was the most sensible trio given how much Law and Prentice played as sophomores last year and Bernard’s familiarity with DeBoer’s offense while at Washington. Beyond that, the depth at wideout is pretty strong, even with Hale’s significant knee injury. Henderson, Adams and Odom all had their moments on A-Day, and more help arrived over the summer, including the highest-rated member of Alabama’s 2024 signing class.

TIGHT END

Projected starter: CJ Dippre

Top challengers: Robbie Ouzts , Josh Cuevas

Reserves: Danny Lewis , Ty Lockwood , Jay Lindsey

Even with Odom making the switch to wideout, Alabama’s tight end room is still full of quality options, both as pass-catchers and blockers. Dippre, Ouzts and Lewis all logged first-team minutes last season, playing in all 14 games and combining to make 19 starts. Dippre was the first tight end on the field in the spring and will most likely be the first man up for the start of fall camp. While he’s new to the group, Cuevas has played in this offense and got some work with the ones this spring as part of one of the most underrated position groups.

INTERIOR LINEMEN

Projected starters: Tyler Booker , Parker Brailsford , Jaeden Roberts

Top challengers: Geno VanDeMark , Olaus Alinen

Reserves: Roq Montgomery , Joseph Ionata , William Sanders

Alabama welcomed back two interior starters from last year’s team with Booker and Roberts manning the left and right guard spots, respectively, and added Brailsford from Washington via the transfer portal. Brailsford missed some of the spring due to personal reasons but is back with the team and expected to anchor the Tide offensive line. On paper, Alabama appears to have one of, if not, the best interiors in all of college football this fall. There isn’t a lot of proven depth outside of VanDeMark, but the top of the pecking order is strong.

OFFENSIVE TACKLES

Projected starters: Kadyn Proctor , Wilkin Formby

Top challenger: Elijah Pritchett

Reserves: Miles McVay , Naquil Betrand , Casey Poe

Offensive tackle was one of the biggest question marks for Alabama this spring, as JC Latham had entered the NFL draft and Proctor had left for Iowa. But Proctor had a change of heart and is now back in Tuscaloosa, where he will man the left tackle position once again. Right tackle remains the concern, however. We gave the nod to Formby ahead of fall camp because he was the starter to close spring drills. But Pritchett, who worked at left tackle in March and April, will push him in one of the most intriguing battles of the Tide’s preseason.

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