Position Breakdown: Alabama’s TE’s ahead of spring practice
We are now just a few weeks out from Nick Saban and the Alabama football team taking the practice field to begin spring ball.
As is the case each offseason, there are many questions that need to be answered before the Tide hit the field to start the 2023 season.
As spring practice creeps closer, we are going to break down each position group on both sides of the ball. We have already looked at the quarterbacks, running backs, defensive line, and outside linebackers. Today we will take a look at the tight end group which could be a strength of the Tide offense.
Let’s dive right in!
Notable departures
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Cameron Latu
Cameron Latu had a very solid career at tight end for the Crimson Tide. In his final two seasons with the Tide, Latu snagged 56 catches for 787 yards and 12 touchdowns. While replacing Latu will not be easy, I believe Alabama has the horses to do so.
Notable returning players
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Robbie Ouzts | Amari Niblack
Alabama has several tight ends returning from the 2022 roster, but the only ones who have any significant playing experience are Robbie Ouzts and Amari Niblack.
Ouzts starting turning heads late in the season and could be a surprise player this spring in Tuscaloosa.
Niblack is the x-factor in the tight-end room if you ask me. Niblack is basically a receiver in a tight end’s body. If he can prove to be a more physical player, Niblack could make a lot of plays for the Tide.
New faces
AP Photo/Nell Redmond
C.J. Dippre | Ty Lockwood
Alabama brings over Maryland tight end transfer C.J. Dippre in one of the most slept-on transfers of the offseason. Dippre is a talented tight end who could quickly make a name for himself in Tuscaloosa.
Ty Lockwood is a freshman four-star tight end prospect, who will likely need a redshirt to continue to develop physically, but has a nice future for the Tide.
What to watch for
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Amari Niblack’s development
I don’t think there is any question about who Alabama’s most gifted receiving tight end is. Amari Niblack is as athletic as a tight end can come. At 6’4″, 233 pounds, Niblack has already put on a ton of weight since he arrived in Tuscaloosa and as I previously mentioned, if can become more physical at the point of attack, Niblack could be a weapon for the Alabama offense.
Projected depth chart
AP Photo/Vasha Hunt
Y-C.J. Dippre | H-Robbie Ouzts
I believe it will be Dippre and Ouzts who will receive the most first-team snaps this spring with Niblack being the third option at tight end. Alabama fans could see as many as four different tight ends receive playing time with the first unit. With that being said, the fourth option might be Miles Kitselman.
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