Alabama had about 20 players injured or otherwise unavailable for the spring football game last weekend, prompting coach Nick Saban to offer a preventive disclaimer so as not to read too much into the game’s depth map.
“What you see in this game really doesn’t mean much when you’re trying to figure out the depth map and stuff,” he said last week. “Because a lot of boys will be missing and so how we play against boys in this game does not necessarily mean anything compared to the [upcoming season]. “
However, Saban told ESPN’s broadcast crew that there were 12 players missing from the game who would have appeared on Alabama’s two-deep, and the game offered some general pointers as to what opportunities might be available to players after 15 spring training.
Here’s an estimate of Alabama’s depth map of stock market players before the team reconvenes for fall camp:
Quarterback: Bryce Young, Paul Tyson, Jalen Milroe
The biggest question is whether Milroe, the Texas freshman, will eventually take over the No. 2 duties. The ESPN broadcast crew received extensive positive reviews on Saturday from Milroe, who was unavailable to play in the spring game, from coaches and players alike.
Run back: Brian Robinson, Roydell Williams, Jase McClellan, Keilan Robinson (also wide receiver), Trey Sanders, Kyle Edwards, Camar Wheaton *
Robinson, who was unavailable on Saturday, appears to be the starter, but there is a deep pool of players behind him vying for carry. Williams, a sophomore, received positive reviews this spring. When he is healthy again, Sanders has the talent to get on the field.
Wide receiver: John Metchie, Slade Bolden, Javon Baker, Traeshon Holden, Agiye Hall, Xavier Williams, Thaiu Jones-Bell, Ja’Corey Brooks, Christian Leary, JoJo Earle *
Metchie and Bolden are both expected to be part of Bill O’Brien’s offense; the question is which less experienced recipients will stand next to them. Baker and Holden played with the first team attack on Saturday, but it was Hall who stole the show with the second team.
Tight ends: Jahleel Billingsley, Cameron Latu, Major Tennison, Robbie Ouzts, Caden Clark
Latu’s strong spring should get him on the field in two tight end groups, like the one that started Saturday’s game for O’Brien’s white team.
Offensive tackles: Evan Neal, Kendall Randolph, Damieon George (also security guard), Tommy Brockermeyer, JC Latham
Neal is moving to left tackle this season, his third position in three seasons, opening the right tackle spot. Randolph got the start on Saturday, while George also got snapshots there. The two freshmen five stars, Brockermeyer and Latham, could also give a boost this summer.
Attacking Guards: Emil Ekiyor, Javion Cohen, Damieon George (also tackle), Tommy Brown, Pierce Quick, Amari Kight, Tanner Bowles, Terrence Ferguson, Jaeden Roberts *
Ekiyor missed the spring due to an injury, with Cohen and George starting Saturday’s game. Brown and Bowles played in the watch mix and Quick – also out this spring – could play a role in the competition this summer. Kight and Ferguson played with the second team on Saturday. The waiting area opposite Ekiyor will be monitored in August.
Centers: Chris Owens, Darrian Dalcourt, Seth McLaughlin, James Brockermeyer
Owens returns for a sixth season, bringing some experience right in the front line.
Defensive linemen: DJ Dale, LaBryan Ray, Phil Mathis, Justin Eboigbe, Byron Young, Tim Smith, Jah-Marien Latham, Jamil Burroughs, Monkell Goodwine, Stephon Wynn, Braylen Ingraham, Damon Payne *, Tim Keenan *, Anquin Barnes *
Dale starts for a third season as a nose guard, with Ray, Mathis, Eboigbe and Young all of whom had seen quite a bit of playtime last season. Smith is the name to watch of the younger group, with coaches telling ESPN’s broadcast that he has the best chance of replacing Christian Barmore as a resident of the interior.
Outside linebackers: Christopher Allen, Will Anderson, Drew Sanders, Chris Braswell, King Mwikuta, Quandarrius Robinson, Keanu Koht, Dallas Turner *
Allen and Anderson form a terrifying starting duo, with Braswell appearing in Saturday’s game with three sacks. Sanders, who was not available on Saturday, saw playing time as a freshman last year.
Inside linebackers: Christian Harris, Jaylen Moody, Shane Lee, Deontae Lawson, Demouy Kennedy, Jackson Bratton, Ian Jackson, Kendrick Blackshire *
Moody is the favorite to replace Dylan Moses, with Lee – who wasn’t available to play Saturday – back to health this season. Freshman Lawson began defending the first team on Saturday, but will be joined this summer by other young players vying for a role.
Corner backs: Josh Jobe, Jalyn Armor-Davis, Ga’Quincy McKinstry, Marcus Banks, Ronald Williams, Brandon Turnage, Jahquez Robinson, Devonta Smith *, Khyree Jackson *
Armor-Davis deserved the start on Saturday with the first team, but McKinstry’s five-star talent will likely get him onto the field sooner rather than later. Williams, a JUCO transfer last year who missed time with a broken arm, started next to McKinstry on the second team with Banks out.
Star / money: Malachi Moore, Brian Branch
Moore was sidelined this spring due to an injury, but he and Branch should both see the field again this season as core pieces in the secondary.
Protections: Jordan Battle, DeMarcco Hellams, Daniel Wright, Kristian Story, Terrion Arnold *, Kadarius Calloway *, Kaine Williams *
Hellams took over from Wright at the end of last season and appears to be the favorite alongside Battle. Alabama is getting a plethora of talent in this position this summer, with Arnold a top 50 prospect.
* freshman expected to join the team this summer
Mike Rodak is an Alabama beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @mikerodak.