If Alabama takes care of enterprise as anticipated in week one in opposition to Western Kentucky, the Tide ought to be capable to rotate a variety of gamers in.
Because the Kalen DeBoer period kicks off, it will likely be fascinating to see if Alabama can get deep into its depth chart. With a lot of new faces on the roster together with freshmen and transfers, this may be the fan base’s first alternative to see many of those guys in reside motion.
Assuming Alabama can construct sufficient of a cushion to get into its 2s and 3s on the depth chart, listed below are two gamers specifically I will probably be maintaining a tally of.
When the Crimson Tide has the ball, true freshman huge receiver Caleb Odom will probably be laborious to overlook. At 6’5”, the transformed tight finish brings a novel factor to Bama’s receiver room. Odom might even get some first group snaps in opposition to WKU, however this place room is deep and he’ll probably get most of his reps with the second group.
Odom has confirmed capabilities as a jump-ball menace and may very well be a pink zone goal for the Tide. Search for the Bama quarterbacks to look his means after they get close to the objective line.
On the opposite facet of the ball, one other super-athletic true freshman could have my eye in linebacker Justin Okoronkwo. A product of Germany, Okoronkwo has been spectacular all through all the offseason. Although he needed to acclimate to the American recreation and tradition, he has tailored rapidly and proven immense potential.
Coach Nick Saban raved that he has 5-star talents, and Okoronkwo has continued to make an impression on Kane Wommack and the brand new workers. He was very energetic in Alabama’s A-Day recreation, tallying a game-high 11 tackles.
With redshirt sophomore linebacker Jeremiah Alexander battling an harm and presumably inactive in opposition to WKU, Okoronkwo could even be a second-team participant behind Deontae Lawson, Jihaad Campbell, and Justin Jefferson.
Whereas he’s considered by some as the way forward for Alabama’s linebacker room, Okoronkwo might make an impression in his very first recreation.