Spring practice has officially begun for the Alabama Crimson Tide football program.
This spring, Alabama will be starting year three of the Kalen DeBoer era in Tuscaloosa, one that comes off the heels of a College Football Playoff (CFP) appearance a year ago. Alabama reached the CFP Quarterfinal a year ago, which came just a season after the Crimson Tide missed the playoff outright in year one under DeBoer.
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The Crimson Tide now turn the page to 2026 with a roster that returns a number of key players from a year ago, but is also tasked with replacing numerous names at some prominent positions. This includes the likes of offensive line and inside linebacker, as well as at quarterback.
Following is a projection for Alabama’s 2026 depth chart entering spring practice, which mentions both the starter and primary backup at each position.
Quarterback
Jan 1, 2026; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Austin Mack (10) throws a pass against the Indiana Hoosiers in the second half of the 2026 Rose Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Quarterback is the most high-profile position battle to watch for Alabama this spring. The returning duo of Austin Mack and Keelon Russell headline the offseason competition for the Crimson Tide’s newest starting quarterback, which could go either way, with the former acting as Alabama’s primary backup a year ago.
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Running Back
Jan 1, 2026; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Daniel Hill (4) runs against the Indiana Hoosiers in the first half of the 2026 Rose Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Alabama returns multiple running backs from a year ago such as Daniel Hill, Kevin Riley, and AK Dear. Hill will lead that group as the starter, a unit which also added a name to know in true freshman EJ Crowell.
Wide Receiver
Dec 6, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams (2) looks on during the first quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs during the 2025 SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Starter: Ryan Coleman-Williams, Lotzeir Brooks, Noah Rogers
Backup: Rico Scott, Derek Meadows, Cederian Morgan
Ryan Coleman-Williams and Lotzeir Brooks are prominent starters returning in 2026, while Rico Scott is a returning name to know as a potential breakout candidate. NC State transfer Noah Rogers is also a prominent name who is a candidate to start for the Crimson Tide in 2026.
Tight End
Backup: Marshall Pritchett
The duo of Kaleb Edwards and Marshall Pritchett both return for their sophomore seasons in 2026. Each picked up some needed experience last season as true freshmen, and Alabama’s tight end room should not skip a beat this upcoming fall.
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Offensive Tackle
Starter: Jackson Lloyd, Michael Carroll
Backup: Jayvin James, Ty Haywood
Michael Carroll is the lone returning starter from Alabama’s offensive line a year ago at right tackle. There is likely a key competition to determine who starts at the other tackle spot between Jackson Lloyd, Mississippi State transfer Jayvin James, and Michigan transfer Ty Haywood.
Offensive Guard
Starter: William Sanders, Ethan Fields
Backup: Nick Brooks, Casey Poe
Alabama has to replace both starting guards this season, and the competition to do so is wide open this offseason. William Sanders and Casey Poe are among the returning names to know, as are a pair of SEC transfer additions in Ethan Fields and Nick Brooks from Ole Miss and Texas, respectively.
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Center
The competition at center this spring is headlined by two transfer additions in Racin Delgatty and Kaden Strayhorn. Both will compete for the starting job starting this spring alongside the returning Mal Waldrep Jr..
Defensive Tackle
Starter: Terrence Green, London Simmons
Backup: Edric Hill, Kedrick Bingley-Jones
Terrence Green, a transfer addition from Oregon, steps into a key role at defensive tackle for Alabama alongside the returning London Simmons. Other returning options such as Edric Hill and Jeremiah Beaman are also candidates to start, as is Mississippi State transfer Kedrick Bingley-Jones.
Bandit
Backup: Jah-Marien Latham
Devan Thompkins is the favorite to start at bandit after transferring from USC this past offseason. The top backup options include Jah-Marien Latham, who missed almost all of last season due to injury, as well as Fatutoa Henry.
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Wolf
Sep 13, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Yhonzae Pierre (42) react after a successful stop during the first quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Leong-Imagn Images
Yhonzae Pierre will be one of the college football’s top pass rushers as Alabama’s starting wolf. Justin Hill is also a key returning name, as is transfer addition Desmond Umeozulu.
Inside Linebacker
Starter: Caleb Woodson, QB Reese
Backup: Cayden Jones, Luke Metz
Alabama is replacing both starting inside linebackers this offseason, with a competition taking place for both starts this spring. Virginia Tech transfer Caleb Woodson is competing alongside the returning QB Reese, Cayden Jones, and Luke Metz, among others.
Cornerback
Dec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Zabien Brown (2) scores a touchdown after an interception in the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family OK Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Starter: Zabien Brown, Dijon Lee Jr.
Backup: Carmelo O’Neal, Chuck McDonald III
Alabama returns both starting cornerbacks from last season in Zabien Brown and Dijon Lee Jr.. The duo should be among the best in the SEC this upcoming season.
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Safety
Dec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Keon Sabb (3) and defensive back Bray Hubbard (18) against the Oklahoma Sooners during the CFP National Playoff First Round at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Starter: Bray Hubbard, Keon Sabb
Backup: Dre Kirkpatrick Jr., Ivan Taylor
Safety is among Alabama’s deepest defensive positions groups entering the spring. The unit returns both starters from a year ago in Bray Hubbard and Keon Sabb.
Husky
Red Morgan cemented himself as Alabama’s starting husky late last season, and is back in 2026 for what could be a big year. Zavier Mincey is also a name who could make an impact at husky.
Kicker
Dec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide kicker Conor Talty (31) lines up in the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family OK Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
Alabama starting kicker Conor Talty does return this season, but the Crimson Tide also brought in Marshall transfer Lorcan Quinn at the position during the offseason. The duo will likely compete for the starting spot this spring.
Punter
The Crimson Tide have a competition this offseason at punter to determine who replaces the departed Blake Doud. That competition is between North Alabama transfer Adam Watford and the returning Alex Asparuhov.
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Long Snapper
Lastly, there could be a competition at long snapper this offseason between the returning Alex Rozier and Ethan Stangle. Stangle is a transfer addition from Syracuse.
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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama football 2026 depth chart projection entering spring practice
