Alabama Football: Projected post-spring 2019 depth chart
Tight End/H-Back
TE
- Cameron Latu (RS FR) -OR- Kedrick James (JR)
- Major Tennison (RS SO)
- Giles Amos (SR)
H-Back
- Miller Forristall (RS JR)
- Michael Parker (RS FR) -OR- Jahleel Billingsley (FR)
Depth here was a major area of concern heading into spring practice, and it remains potentially the biggest question mark in the aftermath. With depth sorely lacking, Saban moved outside linebacker Cameron Latu to tight end during the spring to try him out. Latu flourished enough that he’s probably the favorite to start, at least for the first four games.
Due to an undisclosed NCAA violation, Kedrick James is one of two offensive players who will miss the first four games of the 2019 season. James might be the most talented of the tight ends on the roster, but he’ll have to fight his way out of the doghouse in order to make a non-garbage time impact on the 2019 team. There should be a role for him next season, but it remains to be seen whether he can unseat Latu once his suspension is up.
Miller Forristall is the only tight end with quality game experience. The redshirt junior was well on his way to being an impactful player in 2017 before tearing his ACL and being lost for the season. He lost his spot to Irv Smith, and was unable to earn the job back. With Smith, and Hale Hentges, now departed, Forristall will be the leader of a young and inexperienced group.
The depth behind those three remains to be seen. Giles Amos had a solid spring practice, but he’s a walk-on who was never expected to play a single meaningful snap. Both Major Tennison and Michael Parker are still relative unknowns, but one, or both, of those guys will need to develop during the summer and fall to have at least minor roles.
Incoming freshman Jahleel Billingsley will need to work hard in the strength-and-conditioning program when he arrives at the Capstone if he wants to have any chance at seeing the field in year one.