Here is a really early projection for how Alabama football’s offensive depth chart could shake out in 2021. Can the Crimson Tide repeat?
The time to celebrate another national championship under Nick Saban has come and gone. Now, it’s time to start shifting the focus to the fall of 2021, especially if Alabama is going to make another push.
The offensive side of the football has suffered a ridiculous amount of turnover. Just look at some of the player departures:
QB: Mac Jones
RB: Najee Harris
WR: DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle
OL: Alex Leatherwood, Deonte Brown, Landon Dickerson
That’s a ton of production (and hardware) going out the door, but the Crimson Tide’s roster remains one of the most talented in the nation. Below is a super early projection for the depth chart.
*Note: True freshman are listed at the bottom of their respective position groups. Once we start to get an idea of where they could land on the depth chart in Year 1, we will make adjustments.
Everyone figured Notre Dame would have a tough time with Alabama in the Rose Bowl and College Football Playoff Semifinal.
Everyone figured Notre Dame would have a tough time with Alabama in the Rose Bowl and College Football Playoff Semifinal. So far, those prognostications have come to fruition. If this is a big tease for an epic comeback later on, we don’t know it yet. As it is, the Irish trail the Crimson Tide after one quarter, 14-0.
Right away, the Irish got a taste of what they’re in for. Kyren Williams ran for 15 yards on one carry during their first possession, but that was their lone first down on that drive. When the Tide took over, they picked up first downs on four of their first five plays. Just over two-and-a-half minutes were needed for Mac Jones to connect with DeVonta Smith for a 26-yard touchdown, the first of what likely will be many scores for the Tide.
The Irish’s offense did not fare much better on its next chance. Jay Bramblett came on with a 53-yard punt that pinned the Tide at their own 3-yard line, even though it initially looked to be down at the 1. It wouldn’t have mattered either way because the Tide picked up right where they left off on a drive highlighted by what only can be described as a Najee Harris leap over Nick McCloud on a 53-yard run. Right after perhaps the highest jump by a running back in all of football history, Jones hit Jahleel Billingsley for a 12-yard touchdown.
The Irish fared better when they got the ball again. This time, they got into Tide territory thanks to Ian Book’s 27-yard completion to Chris Tyree. A couple of nice runs by Williams then saw them reach the red zone. Hopefully, that’s a sign of things turning around.
Najee Harris got up in this hurdle to extend a 53-yard run that helped set up an alabama touchdown to put the Crimson Tide up 14-0.
Alabama running back Najee Harris finished fifth in the Heisman voting and is a finalist for the Doak Walker award, but he may have made Heisman voters regret their decision.
Harris took a handoff 53 yards to help set up a 12-yard touchdown pass to Jahleel Billingsley.
The 53-yard run was almost cut short, but Harris jumped over the defender.
Olympic steeplechase runners don’t jump as high as Harris had to clear against this defender.
Alabama leads Notre Dame 14-0 with time left in the first quarter.
Roll Tide Wire will keep you updated on all things that happen in the 2020 Rose Bowl College Football Playoff Semi-final game.
The No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide rolled over the LSU Tigers on Saturday, 55-17, to move to 9-0 on the season. The win featured another Heisman-caliber performance from quarterback Mac Jones, who completed 20 of 28 passes for 385 yards and four …
The No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide rolled over the LSU Tigers on Saturday, 55-17, to move to 9-0 on the season.
The win featured another Heisman-caliber performance from quarterback Mac Jones, who completed 20 of 28 passes for 385 yards and four touchdowns. Jones has nine touchdown passes in the last two weeks in wins over Auburn and LSU.
Wide receiver DeVonta Smith had another outstanding performance, hauling in eight passes for 231 yards and three touchdowns. Smith had one of the best catches you’ll see all year.
Alabama keeps putting points on the board as the lead extends over Auburn in the 2020 Iron Bowl.
Mac Jones and the Crimson Tide are rolling in the first half of the 2020 Iron Bowl with a score of 21-3 with time remianing in the second quarter.
A 24-yard completion by Jones to Jahleel Billingsley helps extend the lead. The pass was dropped perfectly into Billingley’s hands, despite an Auburn defender right behind him and a collapsing pocket.
This was Billingsley’s first touchdown of his Alabama career.
The Alabama defense is doing a good job of maintaining a steady pace of play, offering the offense time to rest, while holding the Auburn offense to only three points.
With plenty of time remianing, there’s no telling what Steve Sarkisian and the Alabama offense might try.
You can watch the touchdown pass below:
Alabama has a new weapon in the passing game — sophomore tight end Jahleel Billingsley.
Had three catches for 78 yards last week. Now, his first career touchdown today. pic.twitter.com/f7TGattSPB
We are 19 days from Alabama football kicking off its season on the road against the Missouri Tigers to start a 10-game, SEC only schedule.
There has been a lot of uncertainty surrounding college football over the last couple of months, but as of right now, the season still looks like it’s a go for the SEC, ACC and Big 12.
So, what does that mean? It means that we can continue the Countdown to Kickoff en route to the Crimson Tide — and the rest of the SEC — getting things underway on Sept. 26.
With it now being Sept. 7, we are officially 17 days away from the start!
Two players currently wear the No. 19 for Alabama, and surprisingly, they are both on offense. First off, rising sophomore tight end Jahleel Billingsley out of Chicago (Ill.) wears it, but there’s also walk-on quarterback Stone Hollenbach out of Catawissa (Pa.).
The most notable member of the Crimson Tide to wear the number during the Nick Saban era was former linebacker Reggie Ragland, who is fresh off winning a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs. He’s now with the Detroit Lions, however.
Jan 1, 2020; Orlando, Florida, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end Jahleel Billingsley (19) catches a pass as Michigan Wolverines linebacker Jordan Glasgow (29) tackles during the first quarter of the 2020 VRBO Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
2020 Alabama football schedule
Sept. 26 at Missouri (Columbia, Mizz.)
Oct. 3 vs. Texas A&M (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
Oct. 10 at Ole Miss (Oxford, Miss.)
Oct. 17 vs. Georgia (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
Oct. 24 at Tennessee (Knoxville, Tenn.)
Oct. 31 vs. Miss State (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
Nov. 14 at LSU (Baton Rouge, La.)
No. 21 vs. Kentucky (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
Nov. 28 vs. Auburn (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
Dec. 5 at Arkansas (Fayetteville, Ark.)
Stay tuned for more updates from Roll Tide Wire, part of the USA TODAY Sports College Wire network!
Sophomore Jahleel Billingsley is the next man up on Alabama football’s player snapshot, which highlights each scholarship player.
As we continue through the offseason, Roll Tide Wire has decided to bring fans a quick snapshot of each scholarship player listed on Alabama’s 2020 football roster.
Each day, we’ll release two player profiles giving fans a glimpse into the players who will be available this upcoming season. Whether that’s size, classification, hometowns or recruiting rankings coming out of high school, we’ve got you covered.
Also included in each article is a quick recap letting you know what to expect from that player for the upcoming 2020 season and beyond.
Next up on the list is sophomore tight end Jahleel Billingsley out of Chicago (Ill.).
Jahleel Billingsley, Tight End
Jan 1, 2020; Orlando, Florida, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end Jahleel Billingsley (19) catches a pass as Michigan Wolverines linebacker Jordan Glasgow (29) tackles during the first quarter of the 2020 VRBO Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Analysis: Jahleel Billingsley slowly started to see his role increase over the course of the season, especially once starting tight end Miller Forristall went down with a throat injury. Overall, he played in nine total games.
The 6-foot-4, 228-pound tight end had a minimal impact in the Crimson Tide’s passing game, hauling in a pedestrian two catches for 16 yards, but he did show some potential as a blocker despite his slight frame.
Don’t be mistaken, however. Billingsley’s biggest impact could come as a receiving tight end in 2020, but that’ll mostly depend on where he ends up on the depth chart.
Miller Forristall returns while Alabama also added North Carolina grad transfer tight end Carl Tucker earlier this offseason. Tucker is more known for his blocking prowess, but he’s also an underrated pass-catcher who could assume a more complete role in the Tide’s offense.
A combination of Tucker, Forristall and Billingsley gives offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian options at the tight end position, and it will be interesting to see the distribution of reps and usage plays out.
