Positional grading of Alabama football’s attack in 2024

As the 2024 season progresses, the Alabama Crimson Tide’s football offense has garnered attention for its ability to adapt and evolve under head coach Nick Saban and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees. With a mix of experienced players and exciting new talent, Alabama’s offensive unit has been challenged to meet the high expectations set by years of dominance in college football. The Tide’s offensive prowess will ultimately depend on how well its individual positional groups perform and contribute to the overall scheme. This article will provide a detailed positional grading of Alabama football’s attack in 2024, evaluating the offensive line, running backs, quarterbacks, wide receivers, and tight ends.

1. Quarterback: B+

In 2024, Alabama has entered the season with a relatively fresh face at quarterback, after Bryce Young’s departure to the NFL. Jalen Milroe, a dual-threat quarterback with a strong arm and explosive running ability, has taken over the reins for the Crimson Tide. While Milroe has shown flashes of brilliance, including an impressive performance in the 2023 season, his consistency and decision-making remain key areas of development heading into 2024.

Milroe’s most notable strength is his athleticism. A powerful runner, Milroe can make defenses pay with his legs, providing an additional dimension to Alabama’s offense. His ability to scramble and extend plays helps keep opposing defenses on their toes. On the flip side, his passing accuracy, particularly on deep throws, is an area where he has room for improvement. Although Milroe has a strong arm, his decision-making and consistency on timing routes have occasionally been inconsistent, which has led to turnovers in critical situations.

That said, Milroe has demonstrated resilience, and under Rees’ guidance, his progression as a passer is likely to continue. He has the potential to become a top-tier quarterback in the SEC, particularly with the supporting cast around him. His ability to maintain control of the game while minimizing mistakes will determine whether Alabama’s offense can truly hit its stride in 2024.

The addition of backup quarterbacks who can step in if needed, such as Ty Simpson, offers Alabama some flexibility. Simpson is a talented young passer who can challenge Milroe for the starting role and could see significant snaps if Milroe struggles during the season.

2. Running Back: A

The running back position remains a major strength for Alabama in 2024. With a deep and talented stable of running backs, the Crimson Tide’s ground game has the potential to be one of the most potent in the country. The running back corps is led by two primary players: Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams.

Jase McClellan has developed into one of the top backs in the SEC. He possesses exceptional vision, burst, and balance, making him a difficult player to tackle in the open field. McClellan is also a reliable pass-catcher out of the backfield, providing the offense with another weapon in the passing game. His ability to gain positive yards on every carry, especially in short-yardage situations, makes him an integral part of Alabama’s offensive attack. In 2024, McClellan’s blend of speed, power, and agility should make him a significant factor in the Tide’s offensive game plans.

Roydell Williams, another dynamic back, provides excellent depth behind McClellan. Williams has a compact frame but runs with power and decisiveness, making him an ideal complement to McClellan. His ability to read defenses, adjust to blocking schemes, and gain tough yards between the tackles makes him a reliable option for offensive coordinator Tommy Rees. Williams is also a capable pass-catcher, making him a versatile weapon in the offense.

Behind the top two backs, Alabama has a few younger players who provide depth, including freshmen like Justice Haynes. Haynes has the potential to develop into a future star in the backfield, showcasing a combination of speed and strength that fits well within Alabama’s physical rushing scheme.

Overall, the running back position is one of Alabama’s strongest units, offering balance and versatility to the offensive attack. With a combination of powerful running backs and a mobile quarterback in Milroe, the Tide should remain one of the best rushing teams in the SEC.

3. Offensive Line: B

The Alabama offensive line in 2024 is a group in transition, with several new faces stepping into key roles after the departure of some key players to the NFL. While Alabama has consistently been known for its dominant offensive line play in recent years, this unit must find chemistry and consistency to maintain the high level of play that has been a hallmark of the program.

The biggest strength of Alabama’s offensive line in 2024 is its depth. The Crimson Tide has several talented offensive linemen with significant game experience, but there is also a mix of younger, less experienced players who must step up and prove themselves. The key returning players include senior tackle J.C. Latham and junior guard Tyler Booker. Both are highly regarded for their ability to protect the quarterback and create lanes for the running game. Latham, in particular, is a future NFL prospect, showcasing great size, strength, and athleticism as a pass protector and run blocker.

Despite the individual talent, the offensive line’s ability to gel as a unit remains a question mark. The transition period for the offensive line includes new players stepping into starting roles, and it may take a few games for the group to truly hit its stride. Alabama’s offensive line has faced challenges in recent years with consistency in pass protection, particularly in high-pressure situations. If the line can create a solid pocket for Milroe and open up running lanes for McClellan and Williams, it could be one of the more dominant units in the SEC.

The coaching staff, led by offensive line coach Eric Wolford, has focused on developing the younger players and building depth across the line. The development of freshmen and sophomores, as well as the continued growth of veterans, will determine how effective Alabama’s offensive line will be in 2024. As the season progresses, it is likely that the unit will gain more cohesion, which could elevate the entire offense.

4. Wide Receivers: B+

Alabama’s wide receiver corps has seen significant turnover since last season, with several key players departing for the NFL. In 2024, however, the Crimson Tide has a solid group of receivers, including some new faces who have the potential to emerge as stars.

The key returning wideout for Alabama is Jermaine Burton. Burton, a transfer from Georgia in 2022, has emerged as one of the team’s primary receiving threats. He possesses great speed, sharp route-running ability, and strong hands, making him a reliable target in both short and deep passing situations. Burton has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly in games against top competition, and his chemistry with Milroe will be critical to Alabama’s success in the passing game.

Another key contributor in 2024 is the talented freshman wide receiver Malik Benson. Benson, a transfer from Hutchinson Community College, has drawn rave reviews for his ability to stretch the field and make plays in the open field. His ability to break away from defenders and make big plays downfield will add another layer to Alabama’s offense. His ability to develop quickly and establish chemistry with Milroe could make him a breakout star for the Crimson Tide.

Additionally, Alabama features players like Isaiah Bond and Kobe Prentice, both of whom bring speed and agility to the receiving corps. While Bond is more known for his ability to get deep and create mismatches with defenders, Prentice brings versatility as a slot receiver and a threat to turn short passes into long gains. This dynamic duo should provide Milroe with multiple options in both the short and deep game.

The wide receiver unit has a lot of potential, but it is still developing, particularly with the lack of an established go-to receiver who can be relied upon in all situations. The group’s success will depend on how well Milroe can distribute the ball and how quickly the young players adapt to the speed and physicality of SEC defenses.

5. Tight Ends: B

The tight end position is often overlooked in Alabama’s offensive attack, but in 2024, it could become a crucial aspect of the Crimson Tide’s offensive scheme. With the departure of several key tight ends in recent seasons, Alabama has sought to develop players who can contribute both in the passing game and as blockers.

Alabama’s tight ends are led by Cameron Latu, who has shown promise as a versatile player. Latu is capable of creating mismatches in the passing game, particularly in the red zone, where his size and ability to make contested catches come in handy. Additionally, his blocking ability is a key component in Alabama’s power-running game, allowing the Tide to use multiple tight ends in different sets to exploit defenses.

While Latu is the key player in the tight end group, Alabama has a few younger players who could step up and provide depth. With the emphasis on the tight end position in Rees’ offense, expect the coaching staff to utilize this group more frequently in both the passing game and as part of the run-blocking schemes. The tight end unit may not be the most explosive group in Alabama’s offense, but its ability to contribute in multiple facets will provide valuable support to both the quarterback and running backs.