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What's next for Alabama football 2025 roster? 10 thoughts on NCAA National Signing Day
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- What's next for Alabama football 2025 roster? 10 thoughts on NCAA National Signing Day
Alabama football is not expected to have an exciting National Signing Day.
The Crimson Tide coaching staff has remained busy, traveling cross country to try and add to its 2026 recruiting class that already includes in-state four-star cornerback Zyan Gibson.
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But heading into 2025, questions remain about the Alabama roster and depth chart as the Aug. 30 season opener against Florida State inches closer and closer.
Here are 10 thoughts on where the Crimson Tide stands as spring football quickly approaches.
Stage is set for Alabama football quarterback battle
The success of Alabama this fall will likely come down to the three-man battle for starting quarterback duties in the spring and summer.
The characters are seemingly set: Ty Simpson , the veteran whose turn has seemingly arrived after backing up Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe ; Austin Mack , the 6-foot-5 hand-picked DeBoer and Ryan Grubb quarterback who followed the Washington staff to Tuscaloosa; and Keelon Russell , the five-star and seemingly the future of Alabama football.
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DeBoer spoke glowingly about Simpson and his approach heading into spring. But the battle for the hierarchy of Alabama's quarterback room could define the Crimson Tide 's offseason.
Does Alabama have enough depth at running back?
Dec 31, 2024; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Jam Miller (26) rushes with the ball against the Michigan Wolverines during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Alabama could feel the loss of Justice Haynes to the transfer portal this fall.
Most of the Crimson Tide's 2024 production in the run game came from the quarterback spot. With Grubb as a play caller and with the outlook of the 2025 room, that will not be the same in 2025 no matter who is starting.
Heading into spring, Jam Miller is now viewed as Alabama's bell-cow back with former top-60 recruit Richard Young and Louisiana transfer Dre'lyn Washington behind him along with Daniel Hill , Kevin Riley and highly-touted freshman AK Dear waiting in the wings.
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For Alabama's offense to run, the Crimson Tide will need a run game. Does Alabama have enough production at running back to make that happen?
Who will emerge in Alabama wide receiver room behind Germie Bernard and Ryan Williams ?
The top two spots on Alabama's wide receiver depth chart are solidified in Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard . Who will be that third Crimson Tide weapon?
Could it be Isaiah Horton , the tall, long play-making Miami transfer who former teammates call a "one-on-one nightmare?" Could it be Rico Scott , the former four-star who broke out in the Crimson Tide's win against Mercer? Could it even be Jalen Hale or Cole Adams , who each had season-ending injuries?
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Alabama will need another player to work with Bernard and Williams.
What will be the Alabama tight end's go-to job in 2025?
In 2024, the role of the Alabama tight end was clear. Robbie Ouzts and CJ Dippre headlined a block-first unit that could be a red zone threat if necessary.
In 2025, the room gets a bit bigger with Josh Cuevas and Danny Lewis Jr. at the top of the depth chart. At the Senior Bowl, Dippre hinted at a more pass-first approach from his former room in 2025. For a position that needs to be a bit of everything, could Alabama trust its tight ends more as safety nets in the passing game?
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Right tackle may not be Alabama's question mark on its 2025 offensive line
The first question for the Alabama 2025 offensive line is clearly at right tackle, with Wilkin Formby seemingly as the only option remaining with Elijah Pritchett transferring to Nebraska . Formby's development will be massive for the unit as a whole throughout the spring and summer.
But it's not the only question Alabama has up front.
Alabama seemingly filled its left guard spot through the transfer portal with Kam Dewberry, who has never played more than 465 snaps in a season, per Pro Football Focus. But for a spot vacated by a cornerstone in Tyler Booker , is Dewberry the long-term answer? Could heralded five-star Michael Carroll get early reps?
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Alabama could have a depth problem on the defensive line
The starters are seemingly set: LT Overton and Kelby Collins splitting time on the outside at Bandit, and James Smith and Tim Keenan III manning both interior spots.
Other than those starters, Alabama's defensive line leaves much to be desired, especially on the interior. While players like Jeremiah Beaman , Edric Hill and Isaia Faga could get looks along with newcomers London Simmons and Steve Mboumoua , the Crimson Tide has a significant depth problem.
This could be a focus for the Crimson Tide when the transfer portal opens again April 16-25.
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Who will fill in Deontae Lawson 's role until the Alabama LB is healthy?
Deontae Lawson is back for his redshirt senior season at Alabama. But the Crimson Tide will not see him on the practice field until the fall as he continues to rehab his season-ending injury from the Oklahoma loss.
With a stable filled with newcomers in freshmen Duke Johnson , Abduall Sanders Jr. , Luke Metz and Justin Hill , Colorado transfer Nikhai Hill-Green could be the main beneficiary in spring and summer taking reps next to returner Justin Jefferson . The Crimson Tide may also use the opportunity to see what players like Cayden Jones and QB Reese can do.
Lawson is set to return. And by the time Lawson takes the field, the Crimson Tide will have a better idea of what it has at linebacker because of his absence.
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How quickly could Dijon Lee see the field at Alabama?
There is seemingly a logjam at cornerback heading into 2025. Domani Jackson and Zabien Brown are both solidified starters. Cameron Calhoun , the Utah transfer, will likely be the first defensive back off the bench.
But for a position known for playing freshman, it may be hard for the Crimson Tide to keep Dijon Lee , the 6-foot-4 five-star cornerback, off the field.
With Jaylen Mbakwe 's apparent permanent move to wide receiver, Lee could find himself in the Crimson Tide's cornerback rotation heading into the season opener against Florida State .
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Alabama may have top two starting safeties in college football
Alabama has a handful of returning starters from Kane Wommack's first Crimson Tide defense in 2024. But none may be more important than at safety.
After transferring to Alabama, Keon Sabb was a play-making machine next to Malachi Moore until his season was cut short with an injury. But in Sabb's absence, Bray Hubbard picked up where Sabb left off, becoming one of the main contributors for the Crimson Tide late in the season.
For a ball-hawking defense, Sabb and Hubbard could be the faces of Alabama's unit in 2025.
Who will be Alabama's starting punter?
The options to replace James Burnip are set.
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Alabama added Alex Asparuhov in the 2025 class, one of the best punters in the country. But the Crimson Tide also added Blake Doud, a heralded Division II punter from Colorado School of Mines to potentially fill the role for his final season of eligibility.
Whether it's the true freshman or the veteran, Alabama has big shoes to fill.
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: What's next for Alabama football 2025 roster? 10 thoughts on Tide
