10 reasons why Alabama Football will win the SEC in 2023
Alabama finished last season with an 11-2 record and a Sugar Bowl win. To many, that exceeds expectations. It does not in Tuscaloosa.
The Tide made some key moves to its coaching staff and roster. The coaching staff saw changes in both coordinator positions. Several other position coaches were hired on staff as well. As for the roster, the Tide signed the No. 1 recruiting class.
Additionally, Alabama added two transfers by way of the transfer portal.
Simply put, Alabama is fully equipped to win the SEC next season. There is an ample amount of talent on the roster to go along with a proven coaching staff surrounding head coach Nick Saban.
Roll Tide Wire breaks down 10 reasons why Alabama will win the SEC in 2023.
Running back depth
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It seems like Alabama always has depth at the running back position. That will be no different in 2023. The Tide returns three of its five running backs from a season ago. The three returners are [autotag]Jase McClellan[/autotag], [autotag]Roydell Williams[/autotag], and [autotag]Jam Miller[/autotag]. Incoming freshmen [autotag]Justice Haynes[/autotag] and [autotag]Richard Young[/autotag] will also provide some depth. First-year Alabama offensive coordinator Tommy Rees tends to lean on the rushing attack, so the depth could play a huge factor next season.
Plenty of options at wide receiver
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While there was not a clear-cut No. 1 wide receiver a season ago, several players stepped up. Almost all of them will return as well. [autotag]Jermaine Burton[/autotag], [autotag]Ja’Corey Brooks[/autotag], [autotag]Kendrick Law[/autotag], [autotag]Isaiah Bond[/autotag], and [autotag]Kobe Prentice[/autotag] all played key roles in Alabama’s offense last season. They will be expected to take on even taller tasks this upcoming season. There will likely be similar distribution to last season. However, the route combinations and formations should allow for playmakers to thrive in Alabama’s offense under Tommy Rees.
Breaking in a new, innovative offense
(AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
The unknown at the quarterback position seems like it will linger for several more months. While it may seem overwhelming, it can be a good thing for the Tide. Alabama will be breaking in a new quarterback and offensive coordinator when the season starts. You may ask: Why is that a good thing? Well, it makes the offense less predictable and implements a wider variety of plays that can be used. That should ease the stress for whomever the starting quarterback is. The easier it is on the quarterback, the more likely it is that Alabama will improve on that side of the ball. The offense will need to step up next season with all of the departures on the defensive side of the ball.
No. 1-ranked recruiting class
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Alabama fans should expect a number of players from the 2023 recruiting class to contribute on Day 1. Several of them are wide receiver [autotag]Malik Benson[/autotag], linebacker [autotag]Justin Jefferson[/autotag], and safety [autotag]Caleb Downs[/autotag]. Each of these players is expected by many to start at their respective positions. Other newcomers like [autotag]Justice Haynes[/autotag], [autotag]Kadyn Proctor[/autotag], and [autotag]Cole Adams[/autotag] have also been rumored to be having impressive springs as well. Needless to say, the Tide will be able to refuel on both sides of the ball with the amount of incoming talent.
Established depth along the defensive line
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Alabama seems to always have established depth in the trenches, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The Tide will return the vast majority of the contributors upfront from a season ago. With DJ Dale and Byron Young heading to the NFL, the Tide will look to players like [autotag]Jamil Burroughs[/autotag], [autotag]Tim Smith[/autotag], [autotag]Justin Eboigbe[/autotag], [autotag]Jamil Burroughs[/autotag], [autotag]Jaheim Oatis[/autotag], and [autotag]Jah-Marien Latham[/autotag] who were all rotational pieces up front last season. Depth seems to always be a huge factor for teams that are poised to make a run at the College Football Playoff. Alabama will have plenty of it to go around next season.
Promising pass rush
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Alabama will have a surplus of promising pass rushers for next season. [autotag]Chris Braswell[/autotag], [autotag]Quandarrius Robinson[/autotag], and [autotag]Dallas Turner[/autotag] are three experienced players off of the edge. The two of them were kind of overshadowed while playing alongside top-5 NFL Draft pick Will Anderson Jr. Now, they will have the opportunity to step into the spotlight. Incoming freshmen [autotag]Qua Russaw[/autotag], [autotag]Keon Keeley[/autotag], and [autotag]Yhonzae Pierre[/autotag] will likely all see playing time as well. Each of them was five-stars coming out of high school. There should be no shortage of pass-rushing options for outside linebackers coach Coleman Hutzler next season.
Addition of two proven coordinators
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While Alabama had two experienced coordinators a season ago, neither qualified as being “proven”. In the offseason, Nick Saban went out and brought in two elite coordinators Tommy Rees and Kevin Steele. Both have coached at the power-five level in coordinator roles prior to joining the Tide. Steele has been around the ringer in the SEC after having coached for 42 years. As for Rees, he was a player and offensive coordinator for a prestigious program like Notre Dame. The ball is now in the player’s court to perform at an elite level.
Key transfer additions
(AP Photo/John Amis)
In the offseason, the Alabama coaching staff was able to add some key transfers in some key spots. Georgia transfer linebacker [autotag]Trezmen Marshall[/autotag] and Maryland tight end transfer [autotag]CJ Dippre[/autotag] both joined the program ahead of spring practices. Both will provide the Tide with depth and experience in two positions that were seemingly lacking last season. That could certainly help with a history of injuries at both positions.
Adding offensive line depth
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Alabama signed five offensive linemen this offseason. Incoming freshmen [autotag]Kadyn Proctor[/autotag], [autotag]Olaus Alinen[/autotag], [autotag]Miles McVay[/autotag], [autotag]Roc Montgomery[/autotag], and [autotag]Wilkin Formby[/autotag] will look to create roles from themselves this season. While Proctor may be the only one starting this season, the Tide could still build established depth. With a core of starters returning, the offensive line should look improved in year No. 2 under offensive line coach Eric Wolford. That will be huge considering the Tide will have a first-year starter at quarterback.
Special teams
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One thing that we can almost guarantee will be elite next season is the kicking of graduate-senior [autotag]Will Reichard[/autotag]. Reichard is the program’s all-time leading scorer with 426 points on 62 field goals and 240 made PATs. He will be Mr. Reliable for Alabama among the special teams unit next season. It never hurts having one of the nation’s best kickers at your disposal. Alabama certainly welcomed Reichard back for a fifth year with open arms.
