Ten Alabama seniors 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 begin with the oldest – and smallest – group, the seniors. Alabama has 13 redshirt and true seniors on its current roster, with three players coming back for fifth seasons, eight others now in their fourth years of college and one transfer going into Year 6. Most of the players listed below are names that fans are already familiar with, having logged first-team minutes for the Crimson Tide in past campaigns, but there are also several of them that will take on larger roles.

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

CHRIS BRASWELL, LB

Alabama lists Braswell as a senior, but he is technically a redshirt junior having not played at all in 2020. That’s the case for a few guys on this list, but nonetheless, Braswell could take on a big role in Year 4 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. He played in all 13 games this past season and registered 40 tackles, four tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and six quarterback hurries. Braswell was the third piece in the cheetah package with Will Anderson and Dallas Turner, but with Anderson being selected with the No. 3 overall pick in April, Braswell has a chance to be a starter as a senior.

JERMAINE BURTON, WR

Burton is entering his second season at Alabama but fourth at the collegiate level after a couple of years at Georgia. He joined the Crimson Tide last offseason and ended the 2022 campaign as the team’s leader in receiving yards. Burton posted career-highs in catches (40), yards (677) and receiving touchdowns (7) after appearing in all 13 games and making 12 starts. Alabama experienced some attrition at the receiver position, but Burton, Ja’Corey Brooks and the promising young players are all back. Expect Burton to continue to be a top target.

DARRIAN DALCOURT, OL

Dalcourt took advantage of an additional year of eligibility and return to the Tide for a fifth season. Alabama’s Game 1 starting center each of the last two years, the veteran lineman has battled injuries, resulting in him missing time. Now healthy, Dalcourt gives the Crimson Tide two experienced centers for the 2023 season, and in an effort to get both players on the field, we saw Seth McLaughlin stick at center while Dalcourt received reps at left guard for much of the spring. Will that continue? Most likely, at least for the start of preseason camp next month.

JUSTIN EBOIGBE, DL

Eboigbe is back for a fifth season, too, after redshirting a year ago. He suffered a neck injury in the first month of the 2022 campaign and missed Alabama’s final nine games after undergoing a procedure. There was optimism that Eboigbe would not only be back for another season but be able to play again, and he announced he was cleared to return to action in the spring, where he capped the 15 practices with the ones. Eboigbe has seen the field each of the last four years, and with DJ Dale and Byron Young both leaving, his return to games is welcomed.

JAYLEN KEY, DB

Key is a new name on this list of seniors, joining the Tide after five seasons at UAB. He brings needed experience to Alabama, having played in 43 games over the last four years after he redshirted in 2018, and Key had a breakout season in 2022. He ranked third on the team with 60 tackles, registering a career-high 12 against LSU, and also recorded three interceptions, 4.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Key was brought in for depth in the defensive backfield, but he should challenge to be a starter at safety or Money.

JASE MCCLELLAN, RB

Both McClellan and Roydell Williams will be seniors this fall, but McClellan gets the nod over his fellow running back because of their usage a year ago. McClellan finished second on the team behind departing starter Jahmyr Gibbs, and the former rushed for 655 yards and 11 touchdowns on 111 carries – doubling Williams’ touches (56 for 255 yards). McClellan was also used more as a receiver with 14 catches for 124 yards and three scores. Both players should see plenty of the field, but McClellan seems poised to enter the offseason as Alabama’s top back.

SETH MCLAUGHLIN, OL

For the second year in a row, McLaughlin closed out the season as the starting center following injury issues for Dalcourt. With both players back, Alabama looked to get both on the field in the spring, with McLaughlin sticking at center and Dalcourt kicking out to left guard for the majority of the 15 practices. McLaughlin is now a veteran in the offensive line room with double-digit starts under his belt – and is becoming known for his “run the damn ball” hat. His experience and desire for a dominant unit should only help the Tide’s offensive line this season.

MALACHI MOORE, DB

Eligible to enter the NFL draft, Moore revealed after the Sugar Bowl win over Kansas State that he was returning to Tuscaloosa for his senior season. He has played in 39 games over the last three years and started games at the Star defensive back position in all three seasons. Late in his freshman year in 2020, he dealt with an injury that proved to be a nagging setback. But with three safeties turning pro, Moore could fill the roles left vacant by Jordan Battle, Brian Branch or DeMarcco Hellams – but most likely safety. He will also be a leader in a young secondary.

WILL REICHARD, PK

Alabama received a pleasant surprise when Reichard changed his mind about entering the draft and chose to return to UA for a fifth season, taking advantage of a free COVID year. He became the program’s all-time leader in career points (417) and extra points (234) last season and is up to fourth in career field goals. Now, he will have a chance to pad his lead and take over the top spot on just about all of the Tide’s kicking records. But in addition to the record books, Reichard adds efficiency and effectiveness to Alabama’s special teams for another year.

TIM SMITH, DL

Smith has played in 37 games over the last three years, but this past season, he was a starter in over half of the Crimson Tide’s 13 games, making seven starts along the defensive line. With both Dale and Young moving on after the 2022 campaign, UA will need other defensive linemen to step up, and Smith was a player both departing seniors mentioned as someone to watch in 2023. He recorded 20 tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack a year ago, but with even more snaps possible for his senior season, Smith could see an uptick in production.

*** Honorable Mention: Trey Amos, Quandarrius Robinson, Kristian Story, Roydell Williams

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