Alabama Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017
The Alabama football team returns in 2017 looking to create the same depth on defense that carried them through 2016.
The depth chart for the Alabama Crimson Tide returns 11 total starters from a season ago but there’s no such thing as panic with this team. After all, they went 14-0 before losing by four points in the National Championship game. They’ve won the last three SEC titles and have lost three conference games since the 2013 season.
The Crimson Tide and quarterback Jalen Hurts have an interesting relationship forming. Hurts won the SEC Offensive Player of the Year award, accounting for 36 total touchdowns (23 passing, 13 rushing) last season.
Hurts led the team in rushing touchdowns and was second in rushing yards with 954 yards in 2016. However, in 2017, durability will be the name of the game. With only Hurts and true freshmen Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones and walk-on sophomore Montana Murphy, Alabama doesn’t have much experience at the position.
Da’Ron Payne and Da’Shawn Hand are expected to be key pieces on this year’s defensive line. However, with Hand’s recent run-in with the law, junior college transfer defensive end Xavier Buggs could move up the depth chart. Hand is on the Lombardi Award preseason watch list, an award given to the best lineman in the nation, but with trouble looming, his fate is up in the air.
The offensive line returns three starters from a season ago. The left tackle spot was left open by Cam Robinson’s departure to the NFL. He is now a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars. The right tackle position is one that is up for grabs. With a number of offensive line recruits on the roster, the Alabama Crimson Tide are sure to figure something out.
Offensive Line
Starting tackles: Jonah Williams (LT), Matt Womack (RT)
Backups: Scott Lashley, Alex Leatherwood
Jonah Williams moves from the right tackle to the left tackle spot to replace Cam Robinson. Williams, a sophomore, started all 15 games at right tackle for Alabama last season. His contributions will be looked upon to lead the tackle position.
Matt Womack made an appearance at tackle in nine games in 2016. Womack, a redshirt sophomore, is a sign of the growing depth the Crimson Tide are developing on the offensive line.
Scott Lashley, a redshirt freshman, will push for time at one reserve tackle spot. Alex Leatherwood will push for time at the other reserve tackle spot. He is a true freshman who arrived early in January but doesn’t look like he’s ready to start just yet.
Starting center: Bradley Bozeman
Backup: J.C. Hassenauer
Bradley Bozeman returns after earning the starting center job as a junior in 2016. He started in all 15 games and returns as the anchor for the offensive line.
J.C. Hassenauer will serve as the backup center as serving as the reserve last season. Hassenauer made an appearance in nine games for Alabama.
Starting guards: Ross Pierschbacher (LG), Lester Cotton (RG)
Backups: Dallas Warmack, Deonte Brown
Offensive guard Ross Pierschbacher and Lester Cotton round out the offensive line group. Both players have starting experience entering the new season. Pierschbacher was a Freshman All-American in his first season as an offensive guard, starting in all 15 games.
Cotton started two games at left guard and three at right guard a season ago. He played a reserve role in the final nine games of the season.
Dallas Warmack is a true freshman who is continuing to excel at the guard position. He could see time in the rotation this season as a reserve. The other potential reserve, Deonte Brown, is coming off a redshirt freshman season.