2023 Alabama Crimson Tide Depth Chart

Alabama football's depth chart hasn't changed too much since the start of the season, but the coaches continue to tweak each week.

After withholding a depth chart through the first week of the season, until right before kickoff against Middle Tennessee at Bryant-Denny Stadium, the Alabama Crimson Tide has finally made some changes to its official depth chart. However, most of them have been of the housekeeping variety.  

Alabama head coach Nick Saban announced that Jalen Milroe would be the starting quarterback against Ole Miss: "Jalen played the best of those guys, so I think he's earned the opportunity to be the quarterback." 

The "or" designations among the quarterbacks top four subsequently vanished. 

Saban reiterated throughout fall camp (and his entire tenure in Tuscaloosa) that a depth chart is just a piece of paper. Nothing is set in stone. Players have to play well to keep their starting spots. 

"I don't want anybody on our team to think they’re a backup or whatever, and the depth chart kind of does that," Saban said Monday. "I think most of the players on our team know who should start in the game and who shouldn't start, but that's something that they do day to day in terms of the way they compete and the way they play. And nobody’s entitled to playing just because you put it on a piece of paper and say, ‘This is the way it is today.’"

Here's how the Alabama depth chart shakes out. It'll be updated whenever changes are made as the season progresses.

2023 Alabama Depth Chart

This will be frequently updated.

Quarterbacks

1. Jalen Milroe (RSo.)
2. Ty Simpson (RFr.)
3. Tyler Buchner (RSo.)
4. Dylan Lonergan (Fr.)

The hiring of Tommy Rees as offensive coordinator didn't favor anyone, at least initially. But when no one won the job during the spring Saban brought in one of Rees’ former players from Notre Dame to add to the competition. It may not be settled when Alabama opens the season against Middle Tennessee on Sept. 2. ... Heading into the Ole Miss game, all four quarterbacks were still listed as an "or" option to start., but Milroe was named the Crimson Tide's starter.

Running Backs

1. Jase McClellan (Sr.)
2. Roydell Williams (Sr.)
3. Jam Miller (So.)
4. Justice Haynes (Fr.) 

McClellan has earned the right to be at the top in the running back room, but Haynes got off to a good start this spring and is good position to be at least part of the rotation this fall. Regardless, Alabama is pretty stacked at the position. ... Prior to the Texas A&M game, freshman Richard Young was no longer listed as an "or" option at third-team. 

Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

Wide Receivers

(X)

1. Malik Benson (Jr.) 
2. Jalen Hale (Fr.)

(Z)

1. Jermaine Burton (Sr.)
2. Kendrick Law (So.)
3. Shazz Preston (RFr.)

(H)

1. Isaiah Bond (So.)
2. Kobe Prentice (So.)
3. Cole Adams (Fr.)

Alabama had 12 wide receivers heading into spring, about three more than what the Crimson Tide has recently had on the roster. There are four new additions who will be vying for playing time, but topping that list is Benson, who was widely considered the top junior-college prospect in the nation last year and flashed some in the spring and during A-Day. He might be the biggest boom-or-bust player on the team this season. .... Ja'Corey Brooks (Jr.) entered the transfer portal and left the team prior to the Rose Bowl.

Tight Ends

1. CJ Dippre (Jr.) or Danny Lewis Jr. (RFr.)
2.  Amari Niblack (So.) or Robbie Ouzts (Jr.) 

LSU head coach Brian Kelly says that new offensive coordinator Tommy Rees likes tight ends, which is one of the reasons why he came to Alabama. His predecessor Bill O'Brien also like tight ends, which helped Cameron Latu have 30 receptions last season. Dippre will be the one to watch during camp, and how well he picks thing up after transferring. ... During Fan Day all four tight  ends got reps with the top quarterbacks. ... Sophomore Amari Niblack had a strong fall camp.

Alabama Athletics

Offensive line

Left Tackle

1. Kadyn Proctor (Fr.) 
2. Elijah Pritchett (So)

Left Guard

1. Tyler Booker (So.)
2. Terrence Ferguson II (RSo.)

Center

1. Seth McLaughlin (Sr.)
2. James Brockermeyer (RSo.)

Right Guard

1. Jaeden Roberts (RSo.)
2. Darrian Dalcourt (Gr.)

Right Tackle

1. JC Latham (Jr.);
2. Miles McVay (Fr.)

The initial guess here was that Latham stayed at right tackle and paired with Booker to make an imposing tandem on that side. Pritchett was with the first-team during A-Day, but Proctor had the better day. Dalcourt has obviously beefed up some to try and play guard this season. Overall, the Crimson Tide is a lot thicker up front this season. ... After the first fall scrimmage the left side of the line was up for grabs with Proctor beginning to look like he may be the guy at left tackle. Terrence Ferguson II was challenging at left guard, but a mid-fall camp switch of Booker back to left guard and help Proctor with some neighboring experience might stick. ... Before Texas A&M, freshman Wilkin Formby was no longer listed as an "or" option at second-team right tackle. 

Defensive Line

Defensive End

1. Jaheim Oatis (So.)
2. Tim Smith (Sr.) 
3. James Smith (Fr.) 

Defensive Tackle/Nose Guard

1. Tim Keenan III (RSo.)
2. Damon Payne Jr. (RSo.)

Defensive End

1. Justin Eboigbe (Sr.)
2. Jah-Marien Latham (Jr.)

Oatis looks like he could have a monster season. He's probably the top candidate on the defensive side for having a breakout year. Eboigbe is back after finally being cleared following a scary neck injury last season. His new teammates were raving this spring about James Smith's potential. Three players to keep an eye on include Khurtiss Perry, Monkell Goodwine and Isaiah Hastings, who have all had a season to acclimate and beef up. ... For the Texas A&M game, Goodwine was no longer listed as "or" on third team at end. Freshman Jordan Renaud was no longer listed as third-team at the other end spot. ... Anquin Barnes Jr. entered the transfer portal and left the team prior to the Rose Bowl.

Alabama Athletics

Linebackers

End/Edge (Jack)

1. Chris Braswell (Sr.)
2. Keanu Koht (RSo.) or Jeremiah Alexander (So.)

Strongside (Sam)

1. Dallas Turner (Jr.)
2. Quandarrius Robinson (Sr.)

Middle (Mike)

1. Trezmen Marshall (Sr.)
2. Kendrick Blackshire (Jr.)

Weakside (Will)

1. Deontae Lawson (RSo.)
2. Jihaad Campbell (So.)
3. Shawn Murphy ( RFr.)
4. Justin Jefferson (Jr.)  

Alabama's interior linebackers are almost interchangeable, as are the outside linebackers. So Lawson could stay at weakside linebacker, and coaches could possibly swap Braswell and Turner. Having said that, the interior linebackers might be the position to watch this fall in terms of close competition. The player to keep a close eye on could be Campbell, who was paired with Lawson for the start of Fan Day ... Marshall played well in both scrimmages. 

Defensive Backs

Right Cornerback

1. Kool-Aid McKinstry (Jr.)
2. Antonio Kite (RFr.)
   

Left Cornerback

1. Terrion Arnold (So.)
2. Trey Amos (Sr.)

Strong Safety

1. Caleb Downs (Fr.)
2. Tony Mitchell (Fr.) or Jake Pope (RFr.)

Free Safety

1. Jaylen Key (Gr.)
2. Kristian Story (Sr.) or DeVonta Smith (Jr.)

Nickel (Star)/Dime (Money)

1. Malachi Moore (Sr.) 
2. Terrion Arnold (So.)

The key to the whole group may be Little because Arnold could play anywhere in the secondary and consequently gives the coaching staff a tremendous amount of flexibility on the back end. Moore is also versatile, but Saban likes having a player with a strong presence and experience over the slot. Downs came in ready to show that he could step in as a starter from Day 1. On Fan Day, Smith was the fifth defensive back with Moore sliding over the star. ... The unit's versatility stood out during fall camp.  

Alabama Athletics

Special Teams

Kicker 

1. Will Reichard
2. Conor Talty 

Holder

1. James Burnip 
2. Cole Adams

Punter 

1. James Burnip 
2. Will Reichard

Punt returner

1. Kool-Aid McKinstry
2. Caleb Downs
3. Isaiah Bond

Kick returner

1. Kendrick Law and Roydell Williams
2. Terrion Arnold and Cole Adams

Long snapper

1. Kneeland Hibbett

By coming back for a fifth year, Reichard will probably finish setting whatever career kicker records he missed last season. He initially accepted an invitation for the Senior Bowl, only to return, so Talty will have to wait in the wings a bit. Burnip got better during his second season, and should continue to develop as a punter. 

Depth chart items to note:

• Jalen Milroe, Ty Simpson and Tyler Buchner were all listed as "or" at starting quarterback through the first four games. However, Nick Saban named Milroe the started on Sept. 18.

• The true freshmen listed as starters are Kadyn Proctor at left tackle and Caleb Downs at safety.

• Transfers include Jaylen Key (safety), Trezmen Marshall (Mike linebacker), CJ Dippre (tight end) and Malik Benson (wide receiver.)

This post will be updated as necessary

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