Tag: justice haynes

Multiple Alabama freshmen named among top newcomers in college football

While they may be young, these freshmen are expected to make an impact for Alabama that could earn some national recognition.

Alabama football enters the 2023 college football season with plenty of new faces, inexperienced players and true freshmen. While for many programs this may be a cause for concern, it’s not for Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide.

Losing Bryce Young, Will Anderson Jr., and Jahmyr Gibbs surely stings, but the next-man-up mentality allows for the Tide to reload instead of having to rebuild.

The incoming 2023 recruiting class for Alabama was ranked No. 1 in the nation, according to 247Sports, which is good for the program because it’s likely that a few will see some serious playing time.

ESPN’s Tom VanHaaren recently ranked the top 50 college football newcomers, which includes transfer and true freshmen.

Two Alabama freshmen made the list.

At No. 32 is running back Justice Haynes.

“Haynes was the No. 2 running back in the class behind Richard Young, who also signed with Alabama. Haynes is a 5-foot-11, 200-pound back from Buford, Georgia, and has already caused a stir during the spring, showing versatility in the spring game — two touchdowns on the ground another receiving. Haynes has the talent, and although he still has some competition ahead of him in Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams, he should be able to find reps this season.”

Freshman safety Caleb Downs also made the list at No. 26.

“Downs, a 6-foot, 190-pound recruit out of Georgia, was the No. 1 safety in the 2023 class. He’s a talented defensive back who has already garnered hype since enrolling at Alabama. The Crimson Tide lost safeties Brian Branch and Jordan Battle to the NFL, so there are open spots. Downs has every opportunity to see the field early this fall and, given his talent level, could become one of Alabama’s better players in the secondary.”

Both of these players will see the field in 2023, with Downs potentially serving as a starter in the secondary. While the entire season won’t rely on them, they are pieces to a much larger puzzle that could lead to the success of the Crimson Tide this season.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama football as the 2023 offseason winds down.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on Twitter @SpurrFM. 

Alabama football countdown to kickoff: 22 days

We are now just 22 days away from the start of Alabama football’s 2023 season!

The Alabama Crimson Tide will take the field for the 2023 college football season in 22 days, as Middle Tennessee State visits Bryant Denny Stadium on Sept. 2.

Here at Roll Tide Wire, we will be counting down the days until Nick Saban and his team take the field.

With 22 days remaining, we will take a look at a former Heisman Trophy winner, running back [autotag]Mark Ingram[/autotag].

Ingram made Alabama history by becoming the school’s first Heisman Trophy winner following his super sophomore season in 2009. During his Alabama career, Ingram accumulated 3,261 rushing yards and 42 rushing touchdowns. Ingram would also add another 670 receiving yards and four touchdown receptions.

Freshman phenom Justice Haynes currently wears No. 22 for the Crimson Tide.

Mark Ingram’s Photo Gallery

10 underclassmen that Alabama fans should know heading into fall practice

There are a handful of underclassmen that Alabama fans be unaware of. Roll Tide Wire breaks down 10 underclassmen that Alabama fans should know before fall practice begins next week.

The Alabama football team will begin fall practice on Aug. 3. After an 11-2 finish to the 2023 season, the Crimson Tide are looking to improve that record in 2024.

Alabama signed the No. 1 recruiting class in the country in 2023. In 2022, the Crimson Tide finished with the No. 2 recruiting class in the country. Needless to say, Alabama has a number of talented underclassmen that can contribute in 2023.

Several true freshmen and sophomores are poised to have breakout seasons for the Crimson Tide. Roll Tide Wire breaks down 10 underclassmen that Alabama fans should be aware of as fall practice begins.

3 Alabama freshmen named as potential impact players in the SEC

These three first-year members of Alabama Football are poised to make some noise in the SEC during the 2023 season.

Nick Saban will only put players in a position to succeed, so it’s not uncommon for highly-talented members of the Crimson Tide to ride the bench and wait for their turn to shine.

Mac Jones, Josh Jacobs and Bryce Young are a few examples of players selected in the first round of the NFL draft who did not see the field much, or at all, during their freshmen seasons.

In 2023, there will likely be a few first-year players who will see significant playing time. A recent ranking from On3’s Matt Zenitz predicts three Alabama freshmen will be impact players in 2023.

Defensive back Caleb Downs is the first player to be named. Zenitz likens his ability to play as a true freshman to Alabama legend Minkah Fitzpatrick. The Crimson Tide defense is expected to play a large role in the team’s successes in 2023, so Downs will be serving an important role.

Next is Tide running back Justice Haynes. While Jase McClellan will likely see first-team reps with Roydell Williams just behind him, Haynes is still expected to see the field despite his positioning on the depth chart. Haynes was impressive during Alabama’s A-Day spring game and could work his way into a meaningful role in the running back room quickly.

Finally, offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor makes the list. Zenitz argues that Proctor could wind up starting on the offensive line at some point in the 2023 season, but likely won’t begin as a starter. Regardless, Proctor has the size and ability to be an impactful lineman to protect whoever is chosen to be Alabama’s starting quarterback.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama football as the 2023 season approaches.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on Twitter @SpurrFM. 

Trio of newcomers named Student-Athletes of the Week

Haynes, Ricks, and Amos earn this week’s Student-Athletes of the Week!

We are currently right in the middle of the college football offseason, but with the SEC media days around the corner and recruiting news virtually around the clock, the content surrounding the Alabama Crimson Tide never ends.

On Thursday, Alabama released this week’s recipients of the Student-Athletes of the Week. A trio of newcomers received the honor this week as freshman running back Justice Haynes, freshman defensive back Dezz Ricks, and Louisiana transfer Trey Amos were recognized.

Haynes burst onto the scene this spring and is almost certain to be an instant impact player for the Tide this fall. Ricks and Amos both will be battling for a role in the defensive backfield with Amos having a slightly better shot at playing time due to his previous college experience.

Congratulations to these young men for their outstanding work in the classroom and on the gridiron.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on Twitter @Blackwood89.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4 category=1134]

Alabama’s running back room ranked in the top ten of college football

Alabama football expected to have one of the most talented running back rooms in 2023

Alabama’s dynasty was originally built on an elite running game and dominant offensive lines. Over the past couple of years, however, they have gotten away from that identity.

Granted, the Tide had a solid run of NFL quarterbacks in Jalen Hurts, Tua Tagovailoa, Mac Jones and Bryce Young, but the key to success in 2023 will be getting back to the ground game. Alabama has had some incredibly special talent at the position in guys like Mark Ingram, Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, Jahmyr Gibbs and so many more.

It will be no easy task trying to replace the Tide’s leading rusher from the 2022 season in Gibbs, as he led the way with 151 carries as well as tacking on 44 receptions which also led the team. Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams will both find bigger roles in the offense this season. McClellan had 112 rushing attempts for 655 yards and seven scores while Williams had 56 carries for 250 yards and four scores.

There are also sky-high expectations for incoming freshman Justice Haynes who is a four-star recruit and was ranked as the second RB in the 2023 recruiting cycle. However, people in Tuscaloosa seem to believe that Haynes could be the Tide’s leading back by the end of the season. Haynes played varsity all four years of high school and posted a mind-boggling 777 carries, 7,407 yards, and 91 touchdowns.

Between McClellan, Williams and Haynes the Alabama faithful should have high hopes for this position group. Max Chadwick of Pro Football Focus also holds the Crimson Tide running back room in high regard as he ranks them as one of the ten best in college football alongside fellow SEC foes Arkansas and Georgia.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

Alabama Football: 3 offensive freshmen who could breakout in 2023

These three offensive freshmen could have a breakout seasons for Alabama in 2023!

Despite being around two months away from the start of the 2023 college football season, it truly feels like it is just around the corner. Before you know it, Nick Saban and the Alabama football team will be taking the field inside Bryant-Denny Stadium to play the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders on Sept. 2.

As we await the start of the season, it’s time to take a look at some of the players who could make an impact for the Crimson Tide this fall. Defensively, we have already looked at three veteran defenders to watch, as well as three freshman defenders. On the offensive side of the ball. we have looked at three veterans who could break out this season for the Tide, and now we will wrap this series up with three offensive freshmen who could become stars this fall.

Let’s roll!

5 Alabama football players that Tide fans should be excited about this fall

Five Alabama football players that Tide fans should be excited to see this fall!

Despite being more than two months away from the start of the 2023 college football season, it truly feels like it is just around the corner. Before you know it, Nick Saban and the Alabama football team will be taking the field inside Bryant-Denny Stadium to play the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders on Sept. 2.

There are plenty of questions Tide fans want answered leading up the kickoff, but let’s not waste our time on the unknown. Instead, let’s turn our attention to some of the players Alabama fans should be excited to see this fall.

Let’s roll!

Roll Tide Wire’s top 10 Alabama players entering the 2023 season

Roll Tide Wire’s top 10 Alabama football players entering the 2023 college football season!

Before you know it, the 2023 college football season will be here! In fact, at the time this article is being jotted down, we are just 108 days away from Sept. 2 when Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide host the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders to open up the season.

As we muddle through the offseason, the staff here at Roll Tide Wire thought we could get together and drop each of our top 10 players heading into the 2023 season.

I am sure everyone will completely agree with each of our assessments and that our lists will not cause any arguments around the water cooler.

Let’s jump right in!

Alabama Football: Projecting stat leaders for the 2023 season

Roll Tide Wire projects which Alabama Football players will lead in each of the major stat categories heading into the 2023 season.

Alabama will have no shortage of talent to choose from for the 2023 season. The Tide brought in five transfers and signed the No. 1 overall recruiting class in the country. Not to mention, the Tide will return several of its key starters from a season ago.

Altogether, Alabama is poised to be a contender in the SEC, and a College Football Playoff hopeful.

With quarterback Bryce Young and outside linebacker Will Anderson Jr. heading to the NFL, Alabama will have to rely on some new faces. Additionally, there could be some other new faces at different positions as well.

Roll Tide Wire projects the major statistical category leaders for the football team heading into the 2023 season.