Alabama Football: 5 Tide 2019 signees who’ll have instant impacts

4. Jahleel Billingsley (TE/Chicago, IL) – 4 Stars

Alabama came up short on its desire of adding a second tight end to this class, but were still able to sign four-star Jahleel Billingsley during the early signing period. Tight end became and even bigger area of need when Irv Smith Jr. elected to forego his final year of eligibility and declare for the NFL Draft.

With rising junior Kedrick James’ status being up in the air following a suspension due to violating NCAA rules before the Orange Bowl, Alabama is lacking in quality depth at the position heading into 2019.

Rising junior Miller Forristall is the only tight end on the roster with meaningful experience; rising sophomore Major Tennison and redshirt freshman Michael Parker are the only other scholarship tight ends on the roster.

It will be tough for Billingsley to get on the field as a freshman, particularly after not being able to enroll in January, but he will have an opportunity to play in certain packages. Billingsley is listed at just 216 pounds, and will need to work hard in the strength-and-conditioning program over the summer to bulk up and withstand the rigors of SEC play in the trenches.

Billingsley has excellent receiving ability, though, something that could be lacking in 2019 with Smith’s departure. None of the other tight ends on the roster will be able to replicate what Smith brought to the table. Until Billingsley is ready, expect Alabama to lean on more four wide receiver sets to take advantage of the gluttony of talent the Tide returns at the position, and to mask the potential deficiencies at tight end.