As they formally turn the page from a dismal 2024 season to a 2025 season with great expectations once more, Alabama football is back on the field for spring practice.
Following Alabama’s first spring practice on Monday, Kalen DeBoer met with the media to give them an update on the numerous injuries the Crimson Tide is facing this spring. He also listed the players who will be sidelined due to injury and those who will miss the season.
Restricted to non-contact:
OT Kadyn Proctor LB James Smith, Justin Jefferson, andDT
LB is out for the spring. Lawson, Deontae
CB Jackson, Domani
S. Keon Sabb
DE Henry Kevonte TE Danny Lewis Jr., wide receiver Hampton Bubba P Alex Asparuhov LS David Bird
According to DeBoer, the coaching staff is not surprised by the injuries, considering the great bulk of them are from the previous season. Given that both Deontae Lawson and Keon Sabb sustained season-ending injuries in 2024, it is therefore not surprising that they missed the spring.
It should come as no surprise that Kadyn Proctor is limited given the shoulder problems he faced in 2024.
The injuries to Danny Lewis Jr., Bubba Hampton, and Kevonte Henry (a JUCO transfer) are difficult for three players who need the reps to attempt and get playing time. Lewis should be alright since he will be able to make his way on the field regardless of Alabama’s tight end depth. Additionally, he has a great deal of program experience.
For Henry and Hampton, things are different. Henry, a JUCO transfer, wants to join the team and fight for defensive line playing time. He will lose important reps. Given the depth of the Crimson Tide at wide receiver this season, Hampton had a difficult time finding playing time. Any chance he had of establishing himself offensively is likely gone if he misses spring.
After injuries, chances for younger Alabama players to step up
First of all, with Lawson out completely and Jefferson restricted to non-contact, the LB position will provide plenty of room for younger guys to grow. Transfer from Colorado Even though Nikhai Hill-Green was expected to contribute, young players like quarterback Reese and redshirt freshmen Cayden Jones will now get important reps in the spring.
Lewis’ absence will limit Alabama’s scholarship choices at tight end, where freshman 4-star Kaleb Edwards won’t start until the summer. Scholarship players include senior Josh Cuevas, redshirt freshman Jay Lindsay, and true freshman Marshall Pritchett. Pritchett and Lindsay will have a lot of opportunities.
It will also be intriguing to see how Alabama rearranges the deck at OT this spring. With Proctor restricted to non-contact, freshman Jackson Lloyd, who has already made an impression in his brief time on campus and is expected to compete with Wilkin Formby for the starting right tackle position, could get a lot of reps. This spring, they might divide reps between LT and RT.
Transfer to Ball State In the spring, Arkel Anugwom may spend a lot of time with the 1s after being tossed into the fire. Mal Waldrep and Micah DeBose, freshmen, will probably see an increase in reps as well.
Because Alabama has few tackles, it will be fascinating to see if any of the inside men can play more than one position. Michael Carroll, a true freshman, and redshirt sophomore Olaus Alinen are expected to be the front-runners for tackle reps in the spring.