Ten Alabama freshmen to know ahead of the 2023 football season

With Alabama set to begin preseason football practice in less than a month, we decided to take a closer look at the Crimson Tide roster by breaking it down by class, seniors to freshmen.

We conclude with the freshman class, which is the team’s largest group. This spring, Alabama had 11 redshirt freshmen and 26 true freshmen on its roster before the rest of the 2023 class enrolled this summer. That final group included four members of the Tide’s latest recruiting haul, which was tops in the nation, per On3. Whether a year, a semester or a month in the program, the ones we mention could step into significant roles for the Crimson Tide this season.

Without further ado, here are 10 Alabama freshmen to know in 2023.

JEREMIAH ALEXANDER, LB

Alexander played in four of the Crimson Tide’s first six games but did not see the field after that in order to maintain a year of collegiate eligibility by redshirting. The former 5-star contributed on special teams but also saw time as a reserve outside linebacker. Alabama will welcome back Dallas Turner, who has started the last 1.5 seasons, as well as Chris Braswell, who was the third outside ‘backer a year ago. But with Will Anderson turning pro, others have opportunities to fill the second, third and so on roles, a prime chance for Alexander in Year 2.

CALEB DOWNS, DB

Downs enrolled in time to take part in some of the Tide’s bowl practices before the 2022 season ended in New Orleans. A former 5-star recruit, Downs was the nation’s No. 1 safety and the fifth overall prospect, according to the On3 Industry Rankings. Referred to as one of the safest bets in the class, Downs arrived at an ideal time with Jordan Battle and DeMarcco Hellams, starting safeties for Alabama the last two years, in the NFL, and the freshman ended the spring with the ones. Downs is “all business” and is poised to make an early impact this season.

JUSTICE HAYNES, RB

Similar to Downs, Haynes was with the team as it placed the finishing touches on its game plan for Kansas State and gained valuable experience before the spring season began. From there, the former 5-star recruit continued to generate positive buzz in March and April, capping a solid spring with three touchdowns in the A-Day Game. The Tide lost Jahmyr Gibbs to the draft, but it welcomed back a trio of backs from last year’s team that will all compete for first-team carries. Still, Haynes should push all of them and could prove to be UA’s top tailback.

KEON KEELEY, LB

Of the players on this list, Keeley joined the roster most recently, arriving as a summer enrollee. He also walked into arguably the deepest position room on Alabama’s 2023 team. But leaving him out of these rankings would have just felt wrong. The 6-foot-5, 242-pound edge rusher was the No. 2 overall recruit for the cycle, according to On3, and has all the tools to see the field in Year 1, much like Anderson and Turner. He will need to learn the defense and beat out talented players, but we won’t be surprised to see the freak pass rusher make an impact.

DANNY LEWIS, TE

Alabama added a top transfer tight end to its roster when it pulled Maryland’s CJ Dippre out of the transfer portal, which was significant after the departure of starter Cameron Latu. The Tide also returned players like Robbie Ouzts and Amari Niblack, and all three should see the field this season. But the one tight end that started the A-Day Game with the first-team offense was Lewis, who led all of the tight ends with four catches (for 30 yards) in the spring game. Entering his second year, Lewis could see a boost in snaps after only playing in four games.

EARL LITTLE II, DB

Little played in three games as a true freshman this past season and will be a redshirt freshman for the 2023 campaign. He missed time due to a shoulder injury that he arrived at Alabama with last summer and didn’t see the field in a game until the fourth week of October. Healthy for his first spring, Little spent most of the 15 practices with the ones at the Star position but had to play with the second unit on A-Day due to transfer portal departures. With more depth added, Little has a chance to be a starter in the slot this fall as UA looks to replace Brian Branch.

ELIJAH PRITCHETT, OL

Pritchett is another young player that missed a chunk of his freshman year due to injury. He suffered a torn pec while in the weight room over the summer and did not see the field until the Austin Peay game. He played again in the Sugar Bowl, replacing Tyler Steen at left tackle in the fourth quarter, and we got a glimpse of him working with the second unit prior to the bowl game. This spring, he was the primary left tackle with the first-team offense from practice No. 1 to 15, but after an inconsistent showing on A-Day, Pritchett still needs to win the job.

KADYN PROCTOR, OL

Continuing the offensive lineman talk, Proctor flipped his commitment from his home state Iowa Hawkeyes and decided to roll with the Tide. The 6-foot-7, 354-pound offensive tackle was the top player at his position and a top-10 overall prospect in the class, according to On3’s Industry Rankings, and could be the next 5-star to make an immediate impact at Alabama. With the left tackle position still up for grabs, Proctor appears to be the top challenger for the position that Proctor held in the spring after the former looked the part with the second unit.

TY SIMPSON, QB

Simpson played in four games this past season as Alabama’s No. 3 quarterback behind Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe, and in doing so, he preserved his redshirt. With that out of the way and a year in the program under his belt, Simpson entered the spring as Milroe’s top competition for the starting spot behind center after Young declared for the draft. Simpson had an up-and-down A-Day Game performance, although, he sprained the thumb on his throwing hand early in the scrimmage. He will continue to compete with Milroe and Tyler Buchner this summer.

JAMES SMITH, DL

Smith is one of two talented newcomers from Carver Montgomery, along with Qua Russaw. The former 5-star defensive lineman was the nation’s No. 3 defensive lineman and the 24th overall prospect in the 2023 recruiting class, according to the On3 Industry Rankings. The 6-foot-3, 296-pound freshman has impressive size and brings a combination of power and speed with him to Tuscaloosa. We saw Jaheim Oatis carve out a first-team role as a freshman this past year, and with veterans turning pro, there are spots in the rotation Smith could fill.

*** Honorable mention: Antonio Kite, Dylan Lonergan, Yhonzae Pierre, Shazz Preston, Dezz Ricks, Qua Russaw

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