Alabama had about 20 players injured or otherwise unavailable for last weekend’s spring football game, prompting coach Nick Saban to offer a precautionary responsibility not to read too much into the game’s depth chart.
“What you see in this game doesn’t really mean a lot when it comes to trying to figure out the depth chart and all that,” he said last week. “Because a lot of guys will be missing and so the way we play guys in this game doesn’t necessarily mean anything about [upcoming season]. ”
However, Saban told ESPN’s broadcast team that 12 players were missing from the game that would have appeared in Alabama’s two-deep, and the game provided some general clues as to what opportunities might be available to players after 15 spring practices.
Here’s an estimate of the depth chart of Alabama stock players before the team reunites for the fall camp:
Quarterback: Bryce Young, Paul Tyson, Jalen Milroe
The biggest question is whether Milroe, the freshman from Texas, will eventually take over. ESPN’s broadcast team on Saturday posted extensive positive reviews of Milroe, who was not available to play in the spring game from both coaches and players.
Run back: Brian Robinson, Roydell Williams, Jase McClellan, Keilan Robinson (and wide receiver), Trey Sanders, Kyle Edwards, Camar Wheaton *
Robinson, who was not available to play on Saturday, looks set to start, but behind him is a deep group of players competing for ports. Williams, a sophomore, gave positive reviews this spring. Sanders, when he returns to health, has the talent to enter the field.
Broadband receiver: John Metchie, Slade Bolden, Javon Baker, Traeshon Holden, Agiye Hall, Xavier Williams, Thaiu Jones-Bell, Ja’Corey Brooks, Christian Leary, JoJo Earle *
Metchie and Bolden are expected to be part of Bill O’Brien’s offense; the question is which less experienced receptors rise with them. Baker and Holden played with the first team on Saturday, but Hall was the one who stole the show with the second team.
Tight heads: Jahleel Billingsley, Cameron Latu, Major Tennison, Robbie Ouzts, Caden Clark
Latu’s strong spring should bring him to the field in two close-knit groups, such as the one that started the game on Saturday for O’Brien’s white team.
Offensive attacks: Evan Neal, Kendall Randolph, Damieon George (also a guard), Tommy Brockermeyer, JC Latham
Neal moves on to the left attack this season, third in three seasons, opening the correct point of attack. Randolph got the start on Saturday, while George also got photos there. The two five-star freshmen, Brockermeyer and Latham, could also make a push this summer.
Offensive guards: Emil Ekiyor, Javion Cohen, Damieon George (also attack), Tommy Brown, Pierce Quick, Amari Kight, Tanner Bowles, Terrence Ferguson, Jaeden Roberts *
Ekiyor missed the spring due to injury, with Cohen and George starting Saturday’s game. Brown and Bowles have rotated in the guard mix, and Quick – this spring as well – could compete this summer. Kight and Ferguson played with the second team on Saturday. The guard post opposite Ekiyor will be on guard in August.
Center: Chris Owens, Darrian Dalcourt, Seth McLaughlin, James Brockermeyer
Owens returns for a sixth season and offers an experience in the middle of the offensive line.
Defensive linemen: DJ Dale, LaBryan Ray, Phil Mathis, Justin Eboigbe, Byron Young, Tim Smith, Jah-Marien Latham, Jamil Burroughs, Monkell Goodwine, Stephon Wynn, Braylen Ingraham, Damon Payne *, Tim Keenan *, Anquin Barnes *
Dale’s numbers will start for a third season on the nose guard, with Ray, Mathis, Eboigbe and Young, who saw considerable playing time last season at the end. Smith is the name he needs to follow from the younger group, with coaches telling ESPN he has the best chance of replacing Christian Barmore as an inside passenger.
External linebackers: Christopher Allen, Will Anderson, Drew Sanders, Chris Braswell, King Mwikuta, Quandarrius Robinson, Keanu Koht, Dallas Turner *
Allen and Anderson form a frightening starting duo, and Braswell appears in Saturday’s three-bag game. Sanders, who was not available to play on Saturday, saw playing time last year as a freshman.
Indoor linebackers: Christian Harris, Jaylen Moody, Shane Lee, Deontae Lawson, Demouy Kennedy, Jackson Bratton, Ian Jackson, Kendrick Blackshire *
Moody’s is the favorite to replace Dylan Moses, with Lee – who was not available to play on Saturday – back healthy this season. Lawson, a freshman, started defending the first team on Saturday, but he is joined by other young players who are fighting for a role this summer.
Corners: Josh Jobe, Jalyn Armor-Davis, Ga’Quincy McKinstry, Marcus Banks, Ronald Williams, Brandon Turnage, Jahquez Robinson, Devonta Smith *, Khyree Jackson *
Armor-Davis won the first team on Saturday, but McKinstry’s five-star talent is likely to bring him to the field sooner rather than later. Williams, a JUCO transfer last year who missed time with a broken arm, started with McKinstry in the second team, with Banks out.
Star / money: Malachi Moore, Brian Branch
Moore was eliminated this spring due to injury, but he and Branch should see the field again this season as secondary pieces.
Fuses: Jordan Battle, DeMarcco Hellams, Daniel Wright, Kristian Story, Terrion Arnold *, Kadarius Calloway *, Kaine Williams *
Hellams took over the role for Wright at the end of last season and seems to be the favorite to start with Battle. Alabama will get a stream of talent in this position this summer, with Arnold going to be one of the top 50 customers.
* freshman is expected to join the team this summer
Mike Rodak is a drunk reporter from Alabama for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @mikerodak.