Three Biggest Concerns About Alabama Football After Spring
We are still a ways away from the start of the regular season, but it's never too early to discuss concerns.
The state of the Alabama football program isn't drastically different following the retirement of head coach Nick Saban, but there are some differences. New head coach Kalen DeBoer has done his best to fill in the holes, but the Tide did lose some extremely talented players to the draft or portal this offseason.
With spring ball and the spring window all wrapped up, here are the three things that should concern Alabama fans:
Alabama WR Jalen Hale
© John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
1. Wide receiver depth:
The injury to Jalen Hale hurts, not only did the Tide lose their top two most productive receivers in Jermaine Burton (NFL), and Isaiah Bond (Texas), but their up-and-coming star in Hale will most likely be out for a majority if not the entire season. Germie Bernard, Kobe Prentice, and Kendrick Law pose a nice core but arguments could be made that all three are unproven. Behind them is even more unproven players in Emmanuel Henderson Jr, Cole Adams, and Caleb Odom. Incoming freshman Ryan Williams has high expectations but he is still only 17 years old, but he might be asked to carry a lot more weight than what should be asked from a kid who should still be in high school.
Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Tyler Booker (52) and Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) block against Mississippi at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
2. Offensive line depth:
This has been and still is a concern for Alabama. Adding Michigan State's Geno VanDeMark was crucial and provides a plug-and-play at any position if one starter goes down, but what if multiple go down? There is no starting experience behind VanDeMark, but in the age of NIL and the transfer portal, it is growing more and more difficult to develop that kind of experienced depth. William Formby being able to rep with the first team during spring practice could provide huge dividends if a starting tackle goes down. Also, how will the return of Kadyn Proctor to the locker room go? Does he instantly just reinsert himself into the brotherhood or do players worry about his commitment? There is no doubt he elevates the play of the line but how much do the players and coaching staff trust him?
Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry (1) celebrates after making the game saving stop in the fourth overtimeduring the Iron Bowl at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021.
© Jake Crandall / USA TODAY NETWORK
3. Star power on the defensive side:
Alabama has done a nice job of cleaning up the depth and experience side of the secondary with transfer additions, but last season opposing offenses knew they needed to stay away from Caleb Downs. Who on the Crimson Tide defense strikes fear into opposing playcallers? There's no doubt Alabama has a lot of solid players including defensive lineman Tim Keenan, or linebacker Jihaad Campbell but where is that star? It could be safety Malachi Moore, it could be linebacker Deontae Lawson, or could it be someone that no one expects? Whoever it is doesn't matter, the only thing that matters is that Alabama needs someone to take that next step to elevate this defense from solid to elite.
