Quick look at Alabama's summer enrollees arriving this weekend

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama has added a total of 33 players to its 2023 roster this offseason. Of those additions, 28 are high school recruits with the other five being transfers. The Crimson Tide saw 26 of them enrollee early and participate in spring practice. The other seven are arriving on campus this Sunday.

Four of the seven are defensive guys with two offensive players and one specialist. Below, we touch on each of the summer enrollees so fans can get to know Alabama’s latest additions. We’ll start with the highest-rated addition in the Crimson Tide’s 2023 recruiting haul, a defensive star out of Tampa, Florida.

Keon Keeley

Position: EDGE (OLB)

High School/Hometown: Berkeley Prep (Tampa, FL)

On3 Industry Ranking: 5-star / No. 2 overall / No. 1 EDGE

Quick Thoughts: Alabama lost its defensive star in Will Anderson, but the defense still returns two of its top three outside linebackers in Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell. Those guys will occupy the top spots on the depth chart. However, there could be an opportunity for Keeley to eventually emerge as a rotational piece. The 6-foot-5, 245-pound edge brings a complete skill set that should allow him to be an impact player against the run and pass.

Quandarrius Robinson and Keanu Koht have made strides this offseason, so a path to significant playing time won’t be automatic. With that said, I’d be surprised if Keeley didn’t find his way onto the field in some capacity. He’s got game-changing upside, and a nice work ethic to complement his abilities.

Yhonzae Pierre

Position: EDGE (OLB)

High School/Hometown: Eufaula (Eufaula, AL)

On3 Industry Ranking: 5-star / No. 28 overall / No. 4 EDGE

Quick Thoughts: Pierre is the definition of a disruptive pass rusher. At this stage in his career, he doesn’t offer the same balance as Keeley when it comes to stopping the run and getting after the QB, but that should come with time. If Alabama can find a way to use Pierre situationally in the early stages of his career, I can see some sort of immediate impact, but that might be easier said than done with more complete options on the roster.

Either way, Pierre will eventually emerge as a star for this defense.

Similar to Braswell, it’s not a matter of “if” with the Eufaula (Ala.) native. It’s more of a matter of “when.” The main difference between the two is that Pierre wins more with elite twitch and bendiness while Braswell has added enough strength to effectively convert speed to power. Pierre will have a chance to do the same once he’s spent some time in Alabama’s strength and conditioning program.

Richard Young

Position: RB

High School/Hometown: Lehigh Senior (Lehigh Acres, FL)

On3 Industry Ranking: 4-star / No. 63 overall / No. 4 RB

Quick Thoughts: Alabama is absolutely loaded at running back, but more reinforcements now arrive in Young. It’s already been difficult trying to figure out how the touch distribution will shake out between the veterans (Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams) and other young talent (Jam Miller and Justice Haynes). For that reason, I won’t predict significant first-year contributions from the former Lehigh Senior standout.

I do believe that he’s got a bright future in Tuscaloosa though. His goal as a freshman should be earning his keep on special teams while learning and having his sights set on the 2024 season. McClellan and Williams will be gone at that point, and the trio of Haynes, Miller and Young sounds particularly intriguing.

Conor Talty

Position: K

High School/Hometown: St. Rita (Chicago, IL)

On3 Industry Ranking: 3-star / No. 2038 overall / No. 4 K

Quick Thoughts: More than likely, Talty would’ve been Alabama’s starting kicker in 2023, but Will Reichard electing to return for a fifth season threw a wrench in those plans. The current situation should be considered a good thing though. Talty will have time to adjust to the pressures of playing in the SEC while also learning from one of the best kickers in program history.

Then, Talty should emerge as the guy in 2024. Win-win.

Jaylen Key

Position: DB

Previous School: UAB

Transfer Portal Ranking: No. 149 overall / No. 7 S

Quick Thoughts: Key is the lastest — and more than likely, final — addition to Alabama’s 2023 signing class. The former UAB safety has a chance to come in and earn a role almost immediately, too. The Crimson Tide already have a nice collection of safety talent with Malachi Moore, Caleb Downs, Kristian Story, Jake Pope and others.

Key, however, brings an experience factor that can only be rivaled by Moore after spending four seasons in Birmingam — with 709 career snaps on defense. At 6-2, 210 pounds, he’ll primarily line up as a safety, but he can also be deployed as a Dime linebacker or even big nickel if you want him covering a flexed tight end. Key isn’t guaranteed a starting job in Tuscaloosa, but he’ll certainly be in the mix.

Trey Amos

Position: CB

Previous School: Louisiana

Transfer Portal Ranking: No. 190 overall / No. 36 CB

Quick Thoughts: For anyone who has read my work this offseason, you already know that I believe Terrion Arnold is poised for a breakout season. If that proves true, the third-year defender will be Alabama’s left cornerback lining up opposite Kool-Aid McKinstry. The departures of Eli Ricks and Khyree Jackson left the experience lacking, so Amos was brought in to fill that void.

I love the long-term outlook for five-star freshman Dezz Ricks. I also like the growth we’ve seen from Antonio Kite at the position. But I view Amos as the No. 3 outside corner who will compete with Arnold for a starting job in fall camp. Obviously, I’m predicting Arnold wins, but Amos is certainly good enough to push him. We’ll see what happens.

Tyler Buchner

Position: QB

Previous School: Notre Dame

Transfer Portal Ranking: No. 233 overall / No. 26 QB

Quick Thoughts: Competition. Buchner arrives this summer to push the top two competitors (Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson) in Alabama’s ongoing QB battle. Some view the Notre Dame transfer as the likely starter, but I just think he’s another potential — and familiar — option for Tommy Rees. Surely one of these three guys can develop enough to at least provide servicable play at the position.

I wouldn’t rule out significant improvement from Buchner either. He’s now got access to a new caliber of offensive weapon, especially at wide receiver. The offense should be more diverse with quality options available at receiver, running back and tight end.

Plus, people tend to forget that a lot of transfer quarterbacks do well with a fresh start. Bo Nix wasn’t the current Bo Nix while he was at Auburn. The Michael Penix Jr. you see at Washington wasn’t that guy at Indiana. Hendon Hooker wasn’t the Tennessee version of Hendon Hooker while at Virginia Tech. There are plenty of other examples, too. Now, I’m not saying Buchner will make that kind of leap, but I do think he deserves a chance before people write him off. His opportunity starts this Sunday once he arrives on campus.