Projecting Alabama’s 2026 depth chart entering spring practice

Spring practice has officially begun for the Alabama Crimson Tide football program.

This spring, Alabama will begin the third year of the Karen DeBoer era in Tuscaloosa, its third year after making a trip to the College Football Playoff (CFP) a year ago. Alabama reached the CFP quarterfinals a year ago, just one season after DeBoer’s Crimson Tide missed the playoffs entirely in their first year.

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The Crimson Tide now turns the page to 2026 with a roster that includes some key players from a year ago but also faces the task of replacing numerous names at some important positions. This includes the offensive line and inside linebackers as well as quarterbacks, among others.

Here are the projections for Alabama’s 2026 spring training depth chart, which mentions starters and backups at each position.

quarterback

Quarterback is the most high-profile position battle in Alabama this spring. The returning duo of Austin Mack and Keelon Russell dominate the offseason battle to be the Crimson Tide’s newest starting quarterback, and either scenario could happen, with the former serving as Alabama’s primary backup a year ago.

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run back

Alabama returns several running backs from a year ago, such as Daniel Hill, Kevin Riley and AK Dear. Hill will lead this team as a starter, which also adds the name of true freshman EJ Crowell.

wide receiver

• starter: Ryan Coleman-Williams, Lozelle Brooks, Noah Rogers

• Backup: Rick Scott, Derek Meadows, Cedrian Morgan

Ryan Coleman-Williams and Lotzeir Brooks are standout starters returning in 2026, while Rico Scott is a returning name considered a potential breakout candidate. NC State transfer Noah Rogers is also a big name and a candidate to start for the Crimson Tide in 2026.

tight end

• Backup: Marshall Pritchett

Kaleb Edwards and Marshall Pritchett will both have their sophomore seasons in 2026. They both gained some needed experience as true freshmen last season, and Alabama’s tight end room should not be missed this coming fall.

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offensive tackle

• starter: Jackson Lloyd, Michael Carroll

• Backup: Jevon James, Ty Haywood

Michael Carroll is the only starter at right tackle returning from the Alabama offensive line from a year ago. There will likely be a key competition between Jackson Lloyd, Mississippi State transfer Jayvin James and Michigan State transfer Ty Haywood to determine who starts at the other tackle spot.

offensive guard

• starter: William Sanders, Ethan Fields

• Backup: Nick Brooks, Kathy Poe

Alabama must replace two starting cornerbacks this season, and the competition is wide open this offseason. William Sanders and Casey Poe are among the returning names, along with two SEC transfers in Ethan Fields and Nick Brooks from Ole Miss and Texas.

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center

The competition at center this spring is headlined by two transfers, Racine Delgaty and Caden Strayhorn. The two will compete for the starting job starting this spring along with returning Mal Waldrep Jr.

defensive tackle

• starter: Terrence Green, London Simmons

• Backup: Edric Hill, Kedric Bentley-Jones

Terrence Green from Oregon State has emerged as a key cog at defensive tackle for Alabama along with returning London Simmons. Other returning options like Edrick Hill and Jeremiah Beaman are also candidates to start, as is Mississippi State transfer Kedric Bentley Jones.

bandit

• Backup: Ja-Marian Latham

Devan Thompkins is the favorite to start in the bandit after transferring from USC last offseason. Top backup options include Jah-Marien Latham and Fatutoa Henry, who missed nearly all of last season due to injury.

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Wolf

Yhonzae Pierre will be one of the top pass rushers in college football as Alabama’s starting quarterback. Justin Hill is also a key returning player, as is transfer transfer Desmond Umeozulu.

inside linebacker

• starter: Caleb Woodson, QB Reese

• Backup: Cayden Jones, Luke Mays

Alabama will replace two starting inside linebackers this offseason and have a battle for two starting inside linebackers this spring. Virginia Tech transfer Caleb Woodson competes with returning quarterbacks Reese, Cayden Jones and Luke Metz, among others.

cornerback

• starter: Zabian Brown, Dijon Lee Jr.

• Backup: Cameron O’Neal, Chuck McDonald III

Alabama’s two starting cornerbacks, Zabien Brown and Dijon Lee Jr., both return from last season. This duo should be one of the best players in the SEC this upcoming season.

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Safety

• starter: Bray Hubbard, Keon Sabu

• Backup: Dre Kirkpatrick Jr., Evan Taylor

The safeties are one of Alabama’s deepest defensive positions heading into the spring. The team returns two starters from a year ago in Bray Hubbard and Cohen Sabu.

hoarse

Red Morgan solidified himself as Alabama’s starting Husky late last season and will return in 2026 for what could be a big year. Zavier Mincey is also a name that could make an impact for the Huskies.

kicker

Alabama starting kicker Connor Talty does return this season, but the Crimson Tide also added Marshall transfer Lorquan Quinn to the position in the offseason. The two will likely compete for the starting job this spring.

bettor

The Crimson Tide held a betting contest this offseason to determine who would replace departing Blake Doud. This game is between North Alabama transfer Adam Watford and returning Alex Asparukhov.

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long snapper

Finally, returning Alex Rozier and Ethan Stengel could create a long-running competition this offseason. Stengel transferred from Syracuse University.

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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama football 2026 depth chart projections heading into spring practice