Alabama
Alabama football depth chart: Predicting the starters
Welcome to depth chart season. Specifically, Alabama football depth chart season in these parts.
Grab your crystal balls, put on your best prognosticator hats and let’s take a crack at trying to figure out who will start for the Crimson Tide and Kalen DeBoer in 2024.
It’s very much so subject to change as a result of fall camp. Sure, some spots are all but figured out with about a month until the season starts, but there are still some battles. Competition is alive and well in some spots.
Heading into fall camp set to start this week, here’s our prediction for the Alabama football depth chart for the 2024 season.
Quarterback
Starter: Jalen Milroe
Reserves: Ty Simpson, Dylan Lonergan, Austin Mack
Analysis: Outside of specialists, this is about as easy to predict as any position on the roster. Milroe is the guy and has a chance to thrive under DeBoer, new offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan and offensive analyst Mitch Dahlen, a former collegiate quarterback who also worked with Michael Penix Jr. for two seasons.
Running back
Starters: Jam Miller, Justice Haynes
Reserves: Richard Young, Daniel Hill, Kevin Riley
Analysis: Get ready for the Jam and Justice show this season. Young is going to have a role in the offense too, though. Consider it a three-headed monster with Miller and Haynes leading the way.
Receiver
Starters: Germie Bernard, Kendrick Law, Ryan Williams
Reserves: Kobe Prentice, Emmanuel Henderson Jr., Caleb Odom, Cole Adams, Jaren Hamilton, Amari Jefferson, Bubba Hampton
Analysis: Williams might not start against Western Kentucky, but it seems inevitable he’s going to be a top weapon in the not-so-distant future. Not to put too high of expectations on Williams, but he’s got a chance to be a generational talent. Overall, expect a variety of players to have opportunities at receiver. It’s quite possible five or six receivers have a sizeable role in the offense.
Tight end
Starter: CJ Dippre
Reserves: Robbie Ouzts, Josh Cuevas, Danny Lewis, Ty Lockwood, Jay Lindsey
Analysis: Dippre could be a valuable target for Milroe, especially in intermediate throws. Washington had plenty of talented receivers in 2023, but tight end Jack Westover still caught 46 receptions for 433 yards and four scores.
Offensive line
Starters: Kadyn Proctor (left tackle), Tyler Booker (left guard), Parker Brailsford (center), Jaeden Roberts (right guard), Wilkin Formby (right tackle)
Reserves: Elijah Pritchett, Geno VanDeMark, Miles McVay, Naquil Betrand, Casey Poe, Roq Montgomery, Olaus Alinen, Joseph Ionata, William Sanders
Analysis: Proctor should regain the starting left tackle spot by the time the season starts. The main battle figures to be at right tackle between Formby and Pritchett, and the competition could continue into the season.
Defensive line
Starters: LT Overton or Jah-Marien Latham (Bandit), Tim Keenan III or Jehiem Oatis (nose guard), Tim Smith or James Smith (defensive tackle), Quandarrius Robinson or Keanu Koht (Wolf)
Reserves: Damon Payne Jr., Qua Russaw, Keon Keeley, Hunter Osborne, Jordan Renaud, Yhonzae Pierre, Isaia Faga, Jeremiah Beaman, Eric Hill, Noah Carter, Jayshawn Ross
Analysis: The “or” starter designation is necessary for the defensive line considering a rotation is expected. The group mentioned above as starters all have a chance to contribute and could very well end up in the starting lineup. The defense will have some different names under new defensive coordinator Kane Wommack. The nose guard and defensive tackle will be two down lineman, and these will be the types of players who would have worked as defensive lineman in Saban’s system. The Wolf will be a player similar to one who would have been an edge defender in the previous defense. Robinson and Koht figure to be the front runners there. Then the Bandit is a linebacker/defensive lineman hybrid. LT Overton and Jah-Marien Latham figure to get plenty of time in that spot.
Linebackers
Starters: Deontae Lawson (Mike), Jihaad Campbell (Stinger)
Reserves: Justin Jefferson, Justin Okoronkwo, Jeremiah Alexander, QB Reese, Cayden Jones, Sterling Dixon
Analysis: Lawson and Campbell are all but set to be the starters here. Campbell has a chance to continue his rise and dominate in Wommack’s defense. The key will be developing depth behind them in case Lawson and Campbell have to miss time with injuries.
Defensive backs
Starters: Malachi Moore (safety), Keon Sabb (safety), Domani Jackson (cornerback), DaShawn Jones (cornerback), DeVonta Smith (Husky)
Reserves: Red Morgan, Zabien Brown, Zavier Mincey, King Mack, Kameron Howard, Jaylen Mbakwe, Dre Kirkpatrick Jr., Bray Hubbard, Jahlil Hurley
Analysis: Moore will be the only returning starter from a secondary that has experienced almost a complete reset. Jackson and Jones have a good shot to get the starting nod at cornerback with their experience, but expect Brown and Mincey to get a chance to contribute in some way this season. Smith and Morgan each have a shot to man the Husky position, which is essentially the nickelback in Wommack’s defense.
Specialists
Starters: Graham Nicholson (kicker), James Burnip (punter), Kneeland Hibbett (long snapper)
Reserves: Conor Talty, Reid Schuback, Nick Serpa, Anderson Green, Tucker Cornelius
Analysis: Consider the starting lineup for specialists all but set. Burnip and Hibbett return, and Alabama added the kicker who received the top honor at his position a season ago in Nicholson. He beat out former Alabama kicker Will Reichard for the Lou Groza award.
Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.
Alabama
Predicting the 2024 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Season: Wisconsin Badgers
The third installment of wild blind dart-throwing predictions of Alabama opponents takes us deep into the Rust Belt wilderness.
GAME 3, September 14: at WISCONSIN BADGERS
Coach: Luke Fickell (7–6, 5–4 B1G in one full season as head coach, plus 1-0 as interim at Wisky in 2022; 71–31 overall with one plagued year at anOhio State and six acceptional seasons at Cincy; 3-4 in bowls)
2023 record: 7-6 (4–4 AAC, lost Tampa Bowl to LSU 35-31)
Looking back: In their first five games, UW beat up on Buffalo, Georgia Southern, Purdue, and Rutgers, but somehow managed to drop a game at Washington State in between. Then, the conference schedule kicked in and true colors were exposed. The Badgers would lose four of their next five, averaging 10 points scored in those four defeats. Wisky rebounded for wins over Nebraska and Minnie, but couldn’t outscore defense-optional LSU in the bowl game to finish with the dreaded 7-6 record. It’s a winning record, but the ugliest kind.
Key losses: RB Braelon Allen (Round 4, Jets), C Tanor Bortolini (Round 4, Colts), QB Tanner Mordecai (grad), LB Maema Njongmeta (grad), DT Gio Paez (xfer to LSU), 3rd leading tackler ILB Jordan Turner (to Sparty), 3rd leading receiver and former team captain Chimere Dike (to Florida), co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Colin Hitschler (now at Alabama), wide receiver coach Mike Brown (to Notre Dame)
Top returnees: Leading tackler SS Hunter Wohler, CB Ricardo Hallman, #1 WR Will Pauling, #2 WR Bryson Green, LB Jake Chaney, OL Riley Mahlman (6’8”/308).
Returning Starters: 5 on defense, 5 on offense, punter and kicker.
Top newcomers: QB Tyler Van Dyke (from Miami-FL), FCS All-American OLB John Pius (William & Mary), RB Tawee Walker (Oklahoma, 513 YDS, 7 TD), Lincoln Riley’s former DC Alex Grinch 2019-2023 is the new Wisconsin DC (because those LR defenses have been so good. Amirite?)
Strengths: Van Dyke’s potential… Stout defense (20.2 ppg allowed in 2023 – 21st best)… Secondary…
Weaknesses: Wisky had a heck of a time scoring points in league play in 2023. They averaged a hair under 20 ppg and tallied 14 or less on four occasions (Iowa, Ohio State, Northwestern, at Indiana)… Receivers need to step up… Defensive line is suspect… Special teams were mediocre last year and the same guys are back…
Outlook: At Miami-FL in 2021, QB Tyler Van Dyke took over for injured starter D’Eriq King and never looked back. He had a fine freshman season (2,931, 25 TD, 6 INT), but the next two campaigns were a little rocky (1,844-10-5 / 2,703-19-12) which included some benchings. Will a change in scenery do him good?
The UW defense probably does not have the speed, depth, or bulk to keep up with the Tide.
Fickell was supposed to be the Wisconsin Messiah, but he has not gotten off to a start that Badgers fans were hoping for. He lost two key staffers in the off-season and the schedule is a daunting one, exchanging two B1G patsies for a trip to Southern Cal and home game vs Oregon.
Bama is currently favored by nine points with the game taking place in Madison with an 11am/noon kickoff. Look for a score around Tide 38 UW 20.
Wisconsin Win Total Odds*
Over 7 -105 (bet $105 to profit $100)
Under 7 -115 (bet $115 to profit $100)
*Source: DraftKings
2024 WISCONSIN BADGERS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE:
Fri, Aug 30 vs Western Michigan – W
Sat, Sep 7 vs South Dakota – W
Sat, Sep 14 vs Alabama – L
Sat, Sep 28 @ Southern Cal – L
Sat, Oct 5 vs Purdue – W
Sat, Oct 12 @ Rutgers – W
Sat, Oct 19 @ Northwestern – W
Sat, Oct 26 vs Penn State – L
Sat, Nov 2 @ Iowa – L
Sat, Nov 16 vs Oregon – L
Sat, Nov 23 @ Nebraska – L
Fri, Nov 29 vs Minnesota – W
Poll
It’s WAY early, but not too early to bet. What say you?
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0%
Bama does not cover 9.
(0 votes)
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0%
A 9 point Tide win sounds spot on.
(0 votes)
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25%
Bama wins by 10-14.
(1 vote)
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75%
Bama wins by 15-20.
(3 votes)
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0%
Bama wins 21 or more.
(0 votes)
4 votes total
Vote Now
2024 ALABAMA SCHEDULE PREVIEWS:
Sat, Aug 31 vs Western Kentucky
Sat, Sep 7 vs South Florida
Sat, Sep 14 @ Wisconsin
Sat, Sep 28 vs Georgia
Sat, Oct 5 @ Vanderbilt
Sat, Oct 12 vs South Carolina
Sat, Oct 19 @ Tennessee
Sat, Oct 26 vs Missouri
Sat, Nov 9 @ LSU
Sat, Nov 16 vs Mercer
Sat, Nov 23 @ Oklahoma
Sat, Nov 30 vs Auburn
Alabama
Former Alabama Gymnast Qualifies for Olympic Vault Final: Roll Call, July 29, 2024
Former Alabama gymnast Shallon Olson helped make Olympic history for Team Canada on Sunday at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Olson is at her third straight Olympic Games with her home country, and for the third straight time, she qualified for the individual vault final.
Olson’s vault scored a 14.166, the seventh-highest overall score on the apparatus. She is one of eight gymnasts to make the vault final. But it didn’t stop there, Olson’s score helped Team Canada qualify for the final of the artistic gymnastics team event for the first time in 12 years.
The team final is Tuesday, July 30 at 11 a.m. CT on NBC. Olsen will compete in the vault final on Saturday, Aug. 3.
Olsen isn’t the only Alabama gymnastics representative in Paris. Luisa Blanco, representing Columbia in her first Olympics, qualified for the individual all-around final.
33 days
July 29, 1963: Otto Graham, coach of the College All-Stars who were preparing for a showdown with the NFL Champion Green Bay Packers, was effusive in his praises of Alabama linebacker Lee Roy Jordan. “If I had 11 guys like Lee Roy Jordan, I’d beat Green Bay. I mean it. His attitude, determination and desire are unreal.” The Packers, quarterbacked by Bart Starr, were 16-point favorites. – Bryant Museum
“’lll put you through hell, but at the end of it all we’ll be champions.”
– Paul W. “Bear” Bryant.
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Alabama
Albany man killed in Alabama crash, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency investigating
ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) – An Albany man was killed in a crash in Lowndes County, Alabama, on Sunday, July 28.
At around 3:25 a.m., 39-year-old Kelpsie Lott Jr. was operating a 2020 Freightliner on U.S. 80 near mile maker 101, about four miles west of White Hall when the vehicle left the roadway and overturned, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA).
Lott was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to Lowndes County Coroner Terrell Means, Lott died from blunt force trauma.
Troopers with the ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division are actively investigating this incident.
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Copyright 2024 WALB. All rights reserved.
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