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.
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.
3/26/24 MFB MFB practice
Alabama Quarterback Ty Simpson (15)
Alabama Quarterback Jalen Milroe (4)
Photo by Kent GidleyCrimson Tide Photos / UA Athletics
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.
Alabama running back Jam Miller (26) runs against Georgia during the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game against Georgia in Atlanta, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)AP
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.
Alabama Wide Receiver Germie Bernard (5) during A-Day at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL on Saturday, Apr 13, 2024.
Crimson Tide Photos / UA Athletics
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.
Alabama tight end CJ Dippre (81) takes a pass reception for a first down against Mississippi State during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Starkville, Miss. Alabama won 40-17. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)AP
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.
Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) salutes the fans after an NCAA college football game against Middle Tennessee, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)AP
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.
Alabama defensive lineman Jah-Marien Latham (93) sets up for a play against Mississippi during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)AP
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.
Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell (30) sets up for a play against Mississippi during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)AP
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.
Defensive backs Malachi Moore (13), Keon Sabb (3), Tony Mitchell (27) and Red Morgan (16). The Alabama Crimson Tide football team holds spring practice ahead of the A-Day scrimmage in Tuscaloosa on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. (Ben Flanagan / AL.com)Ben Flanagan
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.
Miami (Oh) place kicker Graham Nicholson (98) kicks a field goal during the Western Michigan homecoming game at Waldo Stadium on the campus of Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (Nate Pappas | Mlive.com)
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.
NORMAN, Oklahoma — The stage was set for Oklahoma. Heck, the Sooners earned the right to set it. This was supposed to be the ushering in of a new era of postseason football for the No. 8 team in the country that had won 10 games in what was one of the toughest schedules this year.
No. 9 Alabama was even one of those teams that Oklahoma beat on its way to earning this spot. And Saturday night, all was going well for the Sooners. It was going so well, in fact, that after the first quarter, some Oklahoma fans might’ve peeked at flights and hotel rates for the Rose Bowl from inside Memorial Stadium.
And then the Alabama Crimson Tide curled and rolled the Sooners, 34-24, and are headed to Pasadena. After opening with 17 unanswered points, Oklahoma collapsed under the weight of that wave, becoming the only team in College Football Playoff history to blow a 17-point lead. And now, the Sooners have done it twice — before Saturday, in 2018 against Georgia.
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Here are my takeaways from Alabama’s College Football Playoff first-round victory against Oklahoma on Saturday:
NORMAN, OKLAHOMA: Zabien Brown #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide stiff-arms John Mateer #10 of the Oklahoma Sooners during the second quarter during the 2025 College Football Playoff first-round game on December 19, 2025. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson is an avid reader and listener of college football news. Following the largest comeback win in Alabama postseason history, Simpson took a moment to facetiously thank media members for choosing Oklahoma to win on Saturday night.
“I guess we can thank you guys for that,” an emboldened Simpson said. “You guys kind of wrote us off in a sort of way. So I appreciate that.”
After building a three-score lead, the Sooners watched the Crimson Tide recover a fumbled punt, pick off Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer and return it 50 yards to the end zone — all before their First Team All-American kicker Tate Sandell missed not one but two field goals in the final minutes to solidify the worst collapse in College Football Playoff history.
Meanwhile, the Alabama Crimson Tide will prepare to take on No. 1 Indiana in the Rose Bowl for the CFP quarterfinal game. This team that punches back and played its best football with its back against the wall is one that the Hoosiers must prepare for on New Year’s Day.
[College Football Playoff Predictions: First-Round Winners to The National Champion]
NORMAN, OKLAHOMA: John Mateer #10 of the Oklahoma Sooners is hit by Deontae Lawson #0 of the Alabama Crimson Tide during the first quarter during the College Football Playoff first-round game on December 19, 2025. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
The Crimson Tide began down — just like they did against Georgia in the SEC championship game. But the last three quarters of Saturday’s game demonstrated Alabama to be just who it says it is: the kind of team that can open with a loss to a bad Florida State and also be the first team in six years to walk into Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, and come out with a win.
DeBoer’s task now is to find a way to make certain that the team that showed up at Georgia earlier this season and at Oklahoma in the first round is the same one against the Hoosiers. Linebacker Deontae Lawson said that’s his job too. But Bama’s best trait isn’t one that shows itself until it’s in a fight for its life.
“Man, I just think we’re a resilient team,” Lawson said. “And even though we were down 17-0, we didn’t really look at the scoreboard. Coach DeBoer always says, ‘Keep playing the game. The game will come back to you.’ … We just keep fighting.”
NORMAN, OKLAHOMA: Head coach Brent Venables of the Oklahoma Sooners speaks to an official during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide on December 19, 2025. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
Let’s look at the bigger ones:
These are blunders. Errors that aren’t forced but self-inflicted. It’s difficult to win any game with those kinds of mistakes on your drive chart. It’s nearly impossible in a game of this magnitude, against a team as talented and as resilient as the Crimson Tide.
NORMAN, OKLAHOMA: Keon Keeley #31 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates after defeating the Oklahoma Sooners in the College Football Playoff first-round game. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Oklahoma usually plays 50 Cent’s “Many Men” before the start of the fourth quarter. In an attempt to make a statement for its first CFP game at Owen Field, the Sooners brought the rapper himself out onto the field to perform the song for fans in a Hard to Kill Hoodie.
“I didn’t know it was live,” DeBoer said.
“I didn’t know who 50 Cent was,” Simpson said, “but I know that song.”
“We play that song at practice on Fridays,” Lawson said.
RJ Young is a national college football writer and analyst for FOX Sports. Follow him @RJ_Young.
Hello college football fans, and welcome to The Athletic’s live coverage of the 2025 College Football Playoff!
Yes, after a 2025 season full of an incredible amount of twists, turns, controversy and pure chaos, the second edition of the 12-team College Football Playoff gets underway tonight. Our opening matchup is a battle of blue-bloods whose first meeting this season contributed to that chaos, as No. 9 Alabama takes on No. 8 Oklahoma in Norman.
Follow along for live pregame build-up and the latest news, play-by-play updates and real-time analysis from The Athletic’s college football staff!
The College Football Playoff gets underway Friday night as Alabama heads to Norman to take on Oklahoma. But to ESPN’s Michael Wilbon, there’s even more at stake for Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer.
DeBoer’s name has been the subject of rumors throughout the offseason in the coaching carousel. Most recently, he received questions about the opening at Michigan following Sherrone Moore’s firing for cause, though he made it clear he intends to be at Alabama in 2026.
However, Wilbon didn’t sound as convinced. He predicted Alabama would not only lose to Oklahoma on Friday night, but DeBoer would also be on a flight to Ann Arbor to take the Michigan job afterward.
“Let me tell you about … two schools that could be in the coaching carousel after [Friday night],” Wilbon said Thursday on Pardon The Interruption. “Because when Alabama loses to Oklahoma – let me say it again, when Alabama loses to Oklahoma – the coach of Alabama, half the people in the state will want to run him out. And he’ll be on the carousel – oh, wait, that’s a G5 being flown to Ann Arbor, Mich., where he has said, ‘Oh, no. I ain’t got no interest in that.’ He’ll have interest [Friday night].
“And then, Alabama will be in the coaching carousel because they’ll be looking for a coach. … The Alabama coach is going to have a job-on-the-line situation in 24 hours and then, headed to Michigan once he loses. And then, Alabama’s looking. Then, what are you going to say?”
During a press conference this week ahead of the College Football Playoff opener, Kalen DeBoer was directly asked if he intended to be Alabama’s head coach next season. He responded, “Yes.”
Earlier in that press conference, DeBoer received a question about the rumors surrounding him. He again spoke highly of his tenure at Alabama so far and made it clear he’s happy in Tuscaloosa.
“A lot of the same things I said before, a couple weeks ago, when asked really the same question, just feel completely supported,” DeBoer said. “My family loves living here. Just all the things that we continue to build on, love the progress. Haven’t talked with anyone, no plans of talking with anyone. So just, I think that’s a lot of what I said a couple weeks ago, and continues to be the same thing.
“Feel strong about it. And our guys, if there’s been any distraction, I haven’t seen it, haven’t felt it. I’m really proud of the way they’ve handled whatever noise is out there. And again, we probably all season long, have dealt with enough noise to where it wouldn’t surprise me on how they handle this.”
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