On3's J.D. PicKell believes Alabama has no weaknesses, predicts No. 1 team for College Football Playoff in 2022

There’s no surprise as to who the No. 1 overall team in On3’s J.D. PicKell’s way-too-early College Football Playoff predictions. Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide take the top overall spot, with PicKell saying the reigning SEC champions are set to go “bonkers” this season.

“At No. 1, it should be no surprise to you but the Alabama Crimson Tide are primed to go absolutely bonkers this coming year,” PicKell said. “If Nick Saban ever needed any motivation, he has all of it in the 2022 season in this group.”

How stacked the Alabama roster will be for Saban was a huge reason behind PicKell’s prediction. Two names stand out above the rest with quarterback Bryce Young and edge rusher Will Anderson. Both are considered at the top of their positions inside college football, being the two most important spots in the sport.

“He’s star-studded across the board in terms of this roster,” PicKell. “You got Bryce Young having a Heisman-caliber season a year ago. You got Will Anderson, who also had a Heisman-caliber season a year ago. Just didn’t take the award home.”

PicKell then looked at the entire roster, saying there is not a soft spot in Tuscaloosa. Saban was able to learn from last season and fix the areas required through the transfer portal.

Whether it was from outside the SEC or poaching from the conference’s top teams, if Alabama makes a run this season, it will be because of the transfer portal work.

“I challenge you,” PicKell began. “Look at this team and show me the weakness. I mean, legitimately. Every single spot on this team that they were weak a year ago, they have now sure up. You got Eli Ricks playing corner opposite of — probably going to be Kool-Aid McKinstry. So, they’re good in the secondary. You go and get Jermaine Burton to try to sure up the guys you lost in the draft with Jameson Williams and John Metchie. They’re going to be really solid.

“Oh, and by the way, you went and added what was probably the best player in the ACC a year ago in Jahmyr Gibbs from Georgia Tech. He’s toting the rock for you. So there’s no real weakness I am seeing with Alabama.”

For years, it’s never been a rebuild for Alabama, it’s always been a reload. This season is going to be no different as they look to avenge their national championship loss from a season ago. Two of the best players in the country topped in an elite roster is a good starting place as well.