Alabama coaches glad to have Danny Lewis back after transfer flirtation

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama tight end Danny Lewis announced plans to transfer on Dec. 9, but one week later, he withdrew his name from the portal and elected to return in 2025.

It was a little puzzling when the news broke because the Crimson Tide will lose its top two tight ends after the bowl game, as CJ Dippre and Robbie Ouzts are playing in their final seasons of college. Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said Lewis came to that realization.

“The opportunities are really strong here for the tight end position,” DeBoer said. “Being an upper-classman, I think he understood that and kind of processed that a little bit more and that was part of the reason, actually, the reason why I think he decided to come back.”

Lewis, a redshirt sophomore, has played in all 12 of Alabama’s regular-season games but has not caught a pass this season. Lewis has appeared in 31 games over his three-year career with the Crimson Tide (5 in 2022, 14 in 2023) and made one start. But the veteran tight end has only caught one pass in his tenure – a 5-yard gain against Chattanooga last year.

The 6-foot-5, 257-pound tight end was Alabama’s fourth tight end this fall behind Dippre, Ouzts and Washington transfer Josh Cuevas, who is likely to be tight end No. 1 in 2025. But Lewis is the Tide’s next-most experienced player at the position and has the size to complement Cuevas, who has been more of a receiving option within DeBoer’s offensive system.

DeBoer praised Lewis’ skillset while mentioning the need for further development.

“I do feel like that if there’s 10 or 15 kids that have really developed and come a long, long way since the first day we stepped on the field this spring, he’d certainly be one of them,” DeBoer said. “More reps is gonna be something that just helps him become a better football player. So he’s pouring into that right now.”

Both Dippre and Cuevas recorded double-digit receptions and more than 200 receiving yards this fall. Lewis could slide into that second tight end role and see his production soar in Year 4 at Alabama. With two incoming freshmen, the Tide’s tight end room should once again feature six scholarship players with opportunities for the taking after senior departures.

Lewis has the range to make more of an impact in the passing game, but his size could also be an asset for Alabama with in-line blockers like Dippre and Ouzts moving on after the bowl.

“Danny is somebody that has size and length in the C gap and the ability to block the C and D gap,” said Alabama offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan. “I also think he’s somebody that has a big catch radius, strong hands, friendly target for the quarterback. So I think he’s continued to improve. 

“I think Coach (Bryan) Ellis has done a great job. I think some of the older guys that are in that room have just enhanced the quality of the room from top to bottom. I know he’s excited for opportunities in the future. He’ll have to earn those, but certainly, there’s great opportunities for him. 

“And he’s played good snaps for us this fall against good people in critical moments and has done well in the roles that he’s had.”

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