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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) /
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MIAMI GARDENS, FL – DECEMBER 29: Alabama defensive lineman Raekwon Davis (99) during the first half of the CFP Semifinal at the Orange Bowl between Alabama Crimson Tide and the Oklahoma Sooners on December 29, 2018, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – DECEMBER 29: Alabama defensive lineman Raekwon Davis (99) during the first half of the CFP Semifinal at the Orange Bowl between Alabama Crimson Tide and the Oklahoma Sooners on December 29, 2018, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Defense

Notable Losses: It’s become a custom for the Crimson Tide to lose big-time defensive pieces, and this is no doubt the same thing heading into 2019. Defensive/nose tackle Quinnen Williams is heading to the NFL, and he was a dynamic force that figures to be a top-two pick in the draft. Meanwhile, Alabama is also losing starters Isaiah Buggs at defensive tackle, Mack Wilson at middle linebacker, Christian Miller off the edge and Deionte Thompson at safety. Though there is a ton of talent in that group, Bama should be ready to reload the defense.

DE: Raekwon Davis, senior | Christian Barmore, sophomore
NT: Phidarian Mathis, sophomore (RS) | Stephon Wynn Jr., sophomore (RS)
DE: LaBryan Ray, junior | Stephon Wynn Jr., sophomore (RS)

The defensive front for Alabama is bolstered a bit by Raekwon Davis’ decision to return to Tuscaloosa for his senior season after having a top-100 projection for the 2019 NFL Draft should he have entered. Beside him, though, this is a group that has a bit of inexperience. In the case of Mathis, that includes a talent drop-off as he’s nowhere near the player that Williams was up front for Saban’s defense. Having said that, LaBryan Ray could be a monster in the making as he fits the “next-man-up” bill that the Tide have become accustomed to with their talent turnoer.

OLB: Anfernee Jennings, senior (RS) | Eyabi Anoma, sophomore
ILB: Dylan Moses, junior | Markail Benton, sophomore (RS)
ILB: Joshua McMillon, senior (RS) | Ale Kaho, sophomore
OLB: Terrell Lewis, junior (RS) | Christopher Allen, sophomore (RS)

Coming off the edge for the Crimson Tide in 2019, the defense should have far more talent than they did in a surprisingly limited 2018 season in that capacity. Anfernee Jennings returns as a starter from last year, but they also have more talented depth in that regard with two highly regarded players, Terrell Lewis and Christopher Allen, that were injured prior to 2018 and missed the entire season.

At the two inside linebacker spots, there are questions with Mack Wilson leaving, but Dylan Moses will be expected to take up the mantle as the defensive quarterback, which he showed flashes of being capable of last season. Moreover, Ale Kaho is one to watch as, though he’s less experienced than Joshua McMillon, has the talent to take over the starting spot beside Moses.

CB: Trevon Diggs, senior | Josh Jobe, sophomore
FS: Jared Mayden, senior | Daniel Wright, junior
SS: Xavier McKinney, junior | Shyheim Carter, senior
CB: Patrick Surtain II, sophomore | Nigel Knott, junior (RS)
Nickel/STAR: Shyheim Carter, senior | Kyriq McDonald, sophomore (RS)

Despite showing some cracks this past season, the cornerback position for Alabama seems to be solid for 2019. Patrick Surtain II should see a jump from his freshman season where he was up and down, while Trevon Diggs returns from a foot injury that took him off the field this past season. Meanwhile, Shyheim Carter should be a versatile piece that has shown he can perform well.

Safety is a big question mark for this team, however. Xavier McKinney projects to be the leader of the secondary among this group after recording 74 tackles last season, so they’re fine there. Having said that, Jared Mayden is a drop off from Deionte Thopmson and, in fact, may be less talented than Daniel Wright. However, Wright was banged up and had some disciplinary and injury issues last season, which could give Mayden the nod. Either way, we could see some struggles at the free safety spot in 2019.

Special Teams

K: Joseph Bulovas, sophomore (RS)
P: Skyler DeLong, sophomore
KR: Brian Robinson Jr., junior
PR: Jaylen Waddle, sophomore

Special teams, in regards to kicking and punting, proved to be an issue for Alabama in 2018. Joseph Bulovas struggled to make field goals and PATs throughout the year with any kind of consistency. Meanwhile, Skyler DeLong was benched midway through the year for walk-on Mike Bernier. They will need to be better in the 2019 season to give Saban some easy sleep at night when thinking about this group.

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As for the returners, though, the Crimson Tide have weapons in that regard, especially considering that Henry Ruggs III can come in and return kicks as well. They will be fine in this regard, even if the kicking game is less than settled right now.

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