Fansided

Alabama football: First-look 2019 depth chart projections

By Cody Williams

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide attempts a pass against the Clemson Tigers during the second half in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide attempts a pass against the Clemson Tigers during the second half in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 07: Jerry Jeudy #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide is congratulated by his teammate Henry Ruggs III #11 after scoring a first quarter touchdown reception against the Clemson Tigersin the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi’s Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 07: Jerry Jeudy #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide is congratulated by his teammate Henry Ruggs III #11 after scoring a first quarter touchdown reception against the Clemson Tigersin the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi’s Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Offense

Notable Losses: The losses on offense for the Crimson Tide are most felt on the offensive line. Alabama will be starting three new players up front in 2019 after the departures of Jonah Williams, Lester Cotton and Ross Pierschbacher. In terms of the skill positions, the three big losses will be tight end Irv Smith Jr. and running backs Damien Harris and Josh Jacobs, both of whom played key roles in the offensive gameplan in the 2018 season. Smith, as well as the offensive linemen, will be the harder guys to replace of this bunch, however.

QB: Tua Tagovailoa, junior | Mac Jones, sophomore (RS)

After looking like an immortal for much of the 2018 season, Tua Tagovailoa was quite human in the SEC Championship Game (where he was both banged up and benched for Jalen Hurts) and National Championship Game. He was phenomenal and a 2018 Heisman finalist, but he also struggled to stay 100 percent healthy. With Hurts transferring now, it’s vital to Alabama that he stays healthy.

Mac Jones saw time last season, but was less than impressive when he did. Moreover, the depth behind Jones consists of two freshmen with notable names — Paul Tyson, great grandson of Bear Bryant, and Tua’s brother, Taulia Tagovailoa. Thus, the hope is that Tua Tagovailoa both improves where he showed cracks in his armor at the end of the season and, of course, can stay on the field

RB: Najee Harris, junior | Brian Robinson Jr., junior | Trey Sanders, freshman

Though losing Damien Harris and Josh Jacobs leaves the Tide without their top ball-carriers from the 2018 season, Najee Harris is ready to step up and take the mantle. He saw limited work as a sophomore in 2018, averaging 6.7 yards per tote on his 117 carries. He’ll be the featured guy in 2019, though, which could see the former 5-star recruit really start to cement his legacy in Tuscaloosa.

Behind him is Brian Robinson, who we honestly don’t know much about, but has been talked up by his coaches and teammates. And true freshman and 5-star recruit Trey Sanders is one to watch at Alabama as he could see some touches to start his career in college.

WR: Jerry Jeudy, junior | Jaylen Waddle, sophomore
WR: Henry Ruggs III, junior | Chardarius Townsend, sophomore (RS)
WR: Devonta Smith, junior | Tyrell Shavers, sophomore (RS)

The explosive receiving corps that was featured in the Alabama offense last season returns for another year, which has to have Crimson Tide fans salivating in a major way. Of their wide receiving corps, Bama loses just four catches for 39 yards from what they had last season with their three leading receivers (Jeudy, Waddle, Ruggs III) all returning.

TE: Miller Forristall, junior (RS) | Major Tennison, junior | Kedrick James, junior

With Irv Smith Jr. and Hale Hentges both gone, this is by far the biggest question mark on the Alabama offense for the 2019 season. Between Forristall, Tennison and James, there is extremely limited experience and, as such, there are holes in each of their games. Moreover, there are no indications that any of them can make up fro the 44 catches, 710 yards and seven touchdowns that the Tide will lose with Smith departing. Someone has to step up, but it remains to be soon which player that will be.

RT: Jedrick Wills, junior | Matt Womack, senior (RS)
RG: Emil Ekiyor, sophomore | Matt Womack, senior (RS)
C: Chris Owens, junior (RS) | Emil Ekiyor, sophomore
LG: Deonte Brown, junior (RS) | Emil Ekiyor, sophomore
LT: Alex Leatherwood, junior | Scott Lashley, junior (RS)

Losing the best left tackle in the country, Jonah Williams, is not easy for the offensive line group. However, Alex Leatherwood has been groomed for this position, playing at guard this past season and seemingly ready to slide into Williams’ old role and take over on the left side. Opposite him, Jedrick Wills returns and should continue to cement himself as a dominant force on the right edge as he has quite the nasty streak as a blocker.

On the interior, Chris Owens is a valuable piece as he takes over as the starting center, but he and probable starting right guard, Emil Ekiyor, are versatile to play along the front and step up big. Left guard is a big question as Deonte Brown should be the starter, but is likely suspended to start 2019. It should be his job upon his return, but the front could have some growing pains without him to start the season.

Home/College Football