Five Position Groups in Alabama Football That We Have Concerns About Before A-Day

As the Alabama Crimson Tide gear up for the A-Day spring game, one of the most anticipated events on the college football calendar, there is excitement in the air, but also a fair amount of uncertainty. Alabama is known for its deep roster, elite recruiting, and winning culture, but as with any team, there are always areas of concern. For a program that regularly competes for national championships, even the smallest of weaknesses can have major implications. Heading into A-Day, Alabama fans and analysts alike have a handful of position groups that are raising eyebrows and will need to be closely watched in the spring.

With head coach Nick Saban’s high standards, the Crimson Tide are entering 2025 with several questions to answer. While some areas are loaded with talent, others are still works in progress. Some players have yet to fully develop, while others need to step up into more prominent roles. As the spring game looms, here are five position groups where Alabama will need to see significant improvement or clarification before heading into the season.

1. Quarterback Position

Alabama’s quarterback situation is perhaps the most scrutinized position in college football every year. The Crimson Tide have enjoyed a long list of elite quarterbacks, from Joe Namath to Tua Tagovailoa and Bryce Young. With Bryce Young now in the NFL, Alabama is tasked with finding his replacement. This isn’t the first time Alabama has faced this question, but the departure of a player with the talent and poise of Young leaves big shoes to fill.

Currently, there are multiple candidates for the job, including Jalen Milroe, Ty Simpson, and a new wave of incoming freshmen. Jalen Milroe, a dual-threat quarterback with great athleticism, has had some playing time but has yet to prove himself as a consistent, effective passer at a high level. Ty Simpson, on the other hand, arrived in Tuscaloosa with high expectations but struggled in the limited action he saw in 2023. Despite his potential, he still seems to be working out the kinks in his game.

A-Day will be critical for determining who can take control of the starting job. Saban has hinted that he expects a strong competition, but the clock is ticking. The new quarterback will need to exhibit poise, accuracy, leadership, and the ability to read defenses. Alabama’s offensive success depends on having a reliable signal-caller, and there are still too many questions about the stability of the position heading into the spring game.

2. Wide Receiver

While Alabama has historically been known for producing some of the top wide receivers in the nation — players like Julio Jones, Amari Cooper, and Jerry Jeudy — the 2025 iteration of the Crimson Tide may be experiencing a down year in the wide receiver room. With the departure of top talent like Jermaine Burton, and with no clear-cut superstar currently on the roster, there are legitimate concerns about who will emerge as the go-to playmakers on the outside.

The receiver group for Alabama in 2025 features a mix of returning players and new talent. Burton’s departure leaves a void in leadership, while players like Ja’Corey Brooks, Isaiah Bond, and Kendrick Law will need to step up and fill that gap. Each of these players has shown flashes of potential, but none has fully established themselves as a consistent threat. Additionally, Alabama’s recruiting class includes some exciting prospects, but freshmen often take time to acclimate to the college game, so relying on them immediately could be a risky proposition.

One of the major questions heading into A-Day is whether these players can become reliable, dynamic playmakers who can win one-on-one matchups and stretch the field. The Tide offense thrives when the passing game is in sync, and the receiver position will need to deliver if Alabama is to remain one of the most potent offenses in the nation. Expect Saban and offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer to place a heavy emphasis on developing chemistry with the quarterbacks, which will be key for success.

3. Offensive Line

While Alabama has often been lauded for its dominant offensive line play, the 2025 season presents some questions. The Tide offensive line is undergoing some transitions as they attempt to replace several key pieces from the previous season. The loss of experienced players in the trenches, combined with a few uncertainties in terms of depth and cohesion, means there are several areas of concern that need to be addressed.

First and foremost, Alabama will need to replace the leadership left by players like Emil Ekiyor Jr. and Darrian Dalcourt. These players provided stability and experience along the interior of the offensive line, and now it’s up to the younger players to step in and fill those shoes. While talented linemen like JC Latham and Tyler Booker return, there is a need for development at the guard and center positions. There are still questions about who will emerge as the starting center, as well as the overall effectiveness of the interior offensive line against the tough defensive fronts Alabama will face in the SEC.

A-Day will be an important time for Alabama’s offensive line to gel as a unit. Whether it’s pass protection for the new quarterback or creating running lanes for the Crimson Tide’s stable of running backs, the offensive line will play a pivotal role in the success of the 2025 offense. Right now, it’s hard to gauge how well the line will perform against high-caliber defenses, which is why this is one of the most important positions to monitor heading into the spring game.

4. Defensive Line

Alabama’s defensive line has been a staple of the team’s success over the years, but with key departures such as Byron Young, there are concerns about the depth and overall strength of the unit heading into the 2025 season. While the Crimson Tide typically reloads on defense, there are still some question marks about the front four.

The defensive line has always been the foundation of Alabama’s aggressive defense, which relies on stout play up front to control the line of scrimmage. This year, however, Alabama will need to develop some new faces into contributors who can be disruptive. While players like Jaheim Oatis, Tim Keenan, and Justin Eboigbe will be expected to step up, the lack of depth is a concern. If Alabama’s defensive front can’t consistently put pressure on opposing quarterbacks or stop the run, it will put added strain on the secondary and linebacker corps.

A-Day will serve as a crucial moment to see which players can rise to the occasion. Whether it’s anchoring the line against the run or getting after the quarterback, Alabama will need its defensive line to perform at an elite level, especially given the high caliber of SEC offenses they’ll face in 2025. If the defensive line doesn’t perform up to par, it could hinder the team’s overall defensive strategy, which is built on dominance in the trenches.

5. Cornerback

While Alabama is traditionally known for having elite cornerbacks, the 2025 season could be different. With the departure of standout cornerbacks like Kool-Aid McKinstry, the Crimson Tide have significant holes to fill at one of the most important positions in their defense. The cornerback position has long been a strength for Alabama, but in 2025, there are legitimate concerns about who will step up as the new playmakers on the edge of the secondary.

Currently, Alabama’s cornerback room is filled with unproven talent, and A-Day will give the coaching staff an opportunity to evaluate who has the skill set to start opposite the returning players. Players like Terrion Arnold, Eli Ricks, and Khyree Jackson have all seen playing time but have yet to prove themselves as consistent, lockdown cornerbacks. Alabama’s secondary thrives on having corners who can mirror elite wide receivers and disrupt passing lanes, and this group has yet to show they are capable of doing that at an elite level.

For Alabama’s defense to remain as dominant as it has been in the past, they need corners who can shut down opposing receivers and create turnovers. With high-powered SEC offenses and elite quarterbacks on the schedule, Alabama’s cornerbacks need to step up immediately. A-Day will be an important day for assessing the overall talent and depth of the cornerback room, as they’ll need to prove they can handle the pressure and challenge of SEC play.