What’s Next for Alabama Football: Offense

A day after the season ended in the Rose Bowl, what Alabama's 2024 offense will look like remains a mystery. As in all good mysteries, we have clues. In part one of three on the '24 Tide, here's a look at how the offense could shape up when spring practice starts:

Quarterback

Leading Heisman contender Jalen Milroe struggled much of the game against a great Michigan defense, but there's no question he's the starter again. The question is, who backs him up?

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It will surprise no one if Ty Simpson portals out, and the same is true for Eli Holstein. Expect Dylan Lonergan and true freshman Julian Sayin to fight it out all spring for the number two role. That's bad news for Alabama baseball coach Rob Vaughn, who would love to have Longergan and his 99 MPH fastball on the mound this spring. Lonergan will likely opt to work on winning the backup QB job instead.

Running back

While both Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams have a Covid year if they want to use it, neither has acted like they plan to. We've seen flashes of what Jam Miller and Justice Haynes can do. Richard Young took a redshirt and may or may not hit the portal, depending on what the two seniors do.

It seems reasonable and realistic to expect a running back rotation of Haynes, Miller and Young unless one of the seniors returns.

Wide receiver

Jermaine Burton has not said if he's using his COVID year, but let's assume for now he opts for the draft. A rotation of Isaiah Bond, Kendrick Law, freshman Ryan Williams and Kobe Prentice is one that is full of speed. If you haven't heard, speed kills.

For those of you worried that Williams will opt for Auburn or LSU, don't be. Bama's coaches aren't, nor are his classmates and future teammates.

Tight end

Everyone in the current rotation has eligibility left, and though the portal is possible, there's been little talk of it here. Expect CJ Dipre, Amari Niblack and Robbie Ouzts to all be  back and all play a big role, but don't count out freshman Caleb Odom out, either. This room is loaded.

Offensive line

Right tackle JC Latham is expected to head to the NFL. Who will step in there? Should he clear his legal issues up, you have to consider backup left tackle Elijah Pritchett, but you also have to think Texas A&M transfer tackle Naquil Betrand, who will go through spring practice, will push for this job.

Center is a whole 'nother animal. Seth McLaughlin has a COVID year and despited a fake Twitter account saying he's back has not announced that he plans to take it. After his struggles this year, no one could blame him if either way. I'd look look for backup guard Terrence Ferguson to get a long look at center as McLaughlin's backup or replacement, where he has worked in practice as well as guard.

We know the left tackle is Kadyn Proctor and the two guards are Tyler Booker and Jaeden Roberts.

An o-line left to right of Proctor, Booker, McLaughlin, Roberts and Betrand is my bet, unless McLaughlin foregoes his final year of football eligibility.