Alabama Crimson Tide: Post-spring stock report

JesseReSimonton

With spring football in the rear view mirror, it’s time to fully embrace the Head Ball Coach’s “talkin’ season.” The transfer portal carousel has slowed, so while rosters aren’t totally finalized just yet, we at least have a sense of strong foundation for each SEC program.

So let’s take a stock report for every team in the conference, examining their offense, defense and overall outlook heading into the 2022 season.

Today we look at the Alabama Crimson Tide.

ALABAMA OFFENSE — STOCK HOLDING

These days, Nick Saban only fields star-destroyer offenses, so it’s not a question of if Alabama will be good on that side of the ball but will the Tide’s typical offensive fireworks remain.

Quarterback Bryce Young returns as the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, but gone are his five of his top six targets from 2021 — including wideouts Jameson Williams and John Metchie who combined for more than 1,800 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Alabama must also replace more than 1,300 yards on the ground by Brian Robinson plus its starting two tackles — one of whom (Evan Neal) was a Top 10 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Young threw 47 touchdowns a year ago, and Saban made sure his fighter pilot quarterback still has plenty of gas to cook with, poaching Georgia wideout Jermaine Burton and Louisville speedster Tyler Harrell from the transfer portal. The Tide are plush with blue-chippers in their wideout room, but it’s been clear the last two offseasons that Saban isn’t overly pleased with the unit’s overall development. Don’t sleep on breakout sophomore seasons from Ja’Corey Brooks or JoJo Earle, though.

Alabama’s tailback room is a candy store with every flavor, especially with the addition of All-ACC running back/return specialist Jahmyr Gibbs. Few players nationally generated more hype this spring than the blazing Georgia Tech transfer, and early expectations are Gibbs will be a major focal point of offense — as a runner, receiver and returner. The others vying for carries are all former highly-ranked 4-and 5-star recruits (Jase McClellan, Trey Sanders and Roydell Williams).

But the offensive line questions are real. Young was harassed so badly on A-Day — converted tight end Kendall Randolph and former five-star JC Latham struggled mightily at tackle — that Saban went to he portal and nabbed Vanderbilt transfer Tyler Steen, who started 10 games last season at tackle. The Tide’s interior offensive lineup is steady, but both tackle spots are unsettled entering fall camp and will require plenty of attention early in the season.

ALABAMA DEFENSE — STOCK UP

It was just last year that Nick Saban derided the idea that elite defenses could lead a team to a national championship, only to see his protégée pull off that very feat.

Well, Saban may get his payback in 2022.

The Alabama Crimson Tide look to have a special unit entering the fall. Everyone is well aware of Will Anderson’s insane exploits (17.5 sacks, 33.5 tackles for loss), but the nation will quickly learn the names of guys like Dallas Turner, Chris Bradswell, Kool-Aid McKinstry and others.

Alabama’s defensive line is deeper and a pass rush group that led the nation with 121 tackles for loss and 57 sacks in 2021 could become the first modern unit (2000 to today) to eclipse the 60-sack total for a season.

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That’s not even hyperbole.

The Tide’s linebacker unit is solid, led by SEC four-year starter Henry To’o To’o. Jaylen Moody and Deontae Lawson battled for the WILL spot all spring and both will play a lot.

Aside from their pass rush, the secondary is a major strength, and should be an improvement for a group that was mainly so-so in 2021. McKinstry is expected to lockdown one side, with former 5-star LSU transfer Eli Ricks the other projected starter. The three-headed safety/STAR group of Jordan Battle, Brian Branch and DeMarcco Hellams is as steady as any trio in America. The Tide don’t lack depth either, as Malachi Moore, Terrion Arnold and Khyree Jackson are all vying to snaps at STAR, DIME or corner.

The Tide finished 2021 ranked No. 7 nationally in yards allowed per game and No. 11 in yards per play — expect both numbers to land somewhere in the Top 5 in 2022.

2022 OVERALL OUTLOOK — STOCK UP

Nick Saban gushed about his team’s character and competitive fire this spring, and that should scare the hell out of the rest of college football this fall as Alabama starts its #revengetourszn.

As noted above, the Tide aren’t without their flaws and they’ll have to answer some lingering questions en route to winning Saban his 7th national championship in Tuscaloosa, but the foundation is there.

Alabama looked a year away in 2021, and while some Tide fans believe they would’ve won anyways if Williams hadn’t gotten hurt, this group is different.

Anderson has help on the outside. The secondary is more seasoned. The defensive line has more bodies, and most importantly, Young returns as one of the best quarterbacks in the country.

With rivals Auburn and LSU down, the schedule isn’t as daunting as usual either. A trip to Texas in Week 2 should be fun, but nothing this Tide team can’t handle.

At minimum, a trip back to Atlanta and rematch with Georgia seems imminent.