8 underclassmen that can play key roles for Alabama Football next season

Alabama has a lot of underclassmen that were highly-regarded coming out of high school. Roll Tide Wire takes a look at 10 underclassmen that can be key contributors for the Crimson Tide next season.

Each year, Alabama signs some of the top recruits in the country. There is no questioning the fact that Alabama has established depth from a talent standpoint. While it has not been proven by some, others have already solidified their spot as a starter and key contributor.

With that being the case, it will be interesting to see which players on the roster take on an increased role heading into next season. Throughout the spring and summer, it will be interesting to keep an eye on which underclassmen take strides towards being contributors during the 2024 season.

Roll Tide Wire takes a look at eight underclassmen that could play key roles for Alabama Football next season.

LSU WR Kayshon Boutte ranked among the best underclassmen

WR1 still among the top underclassmen despite having sat out since Oct. 9

Heading into the season there was no better option for a breakout year than that of sophomore wide receiver Kayshon Boutte. We saw what he could do in 2020 once he was given an opportunity. He set an SEC freshman record for his offensive explosion against Ole Miss.

Despite being sidelined since the Kentucky game, Boutte was the nation’s leader in touchdown receptions until these past couple of weeks. Just shows how dominant he has been with the ball in his hands. Heading into 2022, why should we expect anything less?

Per ESPN (subscription required) Kayshon Boutte is among the best underclassmen in 2021.

(The Daily Advertiser)

What ESPN says…

As a true freshman last season, the 6-foot, 190-pound Boutte finished the year with three straight 100-yard games, including a 308-yard, three-touchdown performance in the finale against Ole Miss. The former four-star recruit picked up right where he left off this season with a 148-yard, three-touchdown game in Week 1 against UCLA. His 2021 campaign was cut short because of an ankle injury, but he’ll be a guy who will have WR1 hype going into his junior year.

Over the past several years, LSU has been a wide receiver producing machine with Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, and Terrace Marshall Jr all moving to the NFL. Jefferson set a record for receiving yards by a rookie and Chase looks to smash that number this season. The next on the list will be Boutte, who will likely head to the NFL following his junior season. It will be interesting to see what kind of offense they will run in Baton Rouge with the new staff.

One thing will be for certain, Boutte will likely be a huge part of it as the featured weapon.

Two Georgia players make ESPN’s list of top underclassmen

ESPN listed college football’s best underclassmen this season and mentioned two Georgia players.

ESPN put together a list of the 12 best performing underclassmen this season and two Georgia Bulldogs were mentioned.

Defensive tackle Jalen Carter, who many call a “mini Jordan Davis,” was mentioned and so was tight end Brock Bowers.

Carter, a sophomore from Apopka, Florida, has been phenomenal this season, with 22 tackles and three sacks. For comparison purposes, Davis has 21 tackles and two sacks this season.

He’s even gotten the job done blocking in the jumbo package this year.

From ESPN:

The Bulldog defense is littered with players whose names will be called during the 2022 NFL draft, including Jordan DavisDevonte Wyatt and Nakobe Dean. But sophomore interior defensive lineman Jalen Carter might be the best of all of them. Carter’s 86.8 overall defensive grade ranks among the top 50 defenders in the FBS this season, and his 89.2 pass rush grade is top 10 in the country among interior defensive lineman. This 6-foot-3, 310-pound game wrecker will have his eyes on a top-10 selection in the 2023 NFL draft.

As for Bowers, the true freshman from Napa, California has become a household name among Georgia fans and is quickly gaining popularity throughout the nation. He’s Georgia’s leading receiver with 493 yards and six touchdowns on 28 receptions and he even added a 12 yard rushing score this year as well.

From ESPN:

True freshman tight end Brock Bowers simply takes over drives for the Georgia offense. Bowers’ 90.6 receiving grade is top 10 at the position, and he ranks in the top five in yards after the catch. He already has two 100-yard games and three multi-touchdown games. Factor in that this 6-4, 230-pound freshman is doing this in his first season within a relatively inconsistent passing attack, it’s exciting to imagine what is on the horizon for the first-year player.

List of undeclassmen, opt-outs in the 2021 NFL Draft

The 2021 NFL Draft is going to be full of underclassmen who are leaving college early

The deadline has passed for underclassmen to declare for the 2021 NFL Draft. Here’s the list of those who are looking to make the move from college football to the pros and the seniors who opted out of 2020 but will be in the selection process.

 

Aaron Banks Notre Dame OL
Aashari Crosswell Arizona State S
Adrian Ealy Oklahoma OL
Alijah Vera-Tucker USC OL
Alim McNeill NC State DT
Ambry Thomas Michigan CB
Amon-Ra St. Brown USC WR
Andre Cisco Syracuse S
Anthony Hines III Texas A&M LB
Anthony Schwartz Auburn WR
Ar’Darius Washington TCU S
Asante Samuel Jr. Florida State CB
Azeez Ojulari Georgia LB
Benjamin St-Juste Minnesota CB
Blake Proehl East Carolina WR
Bobby Brown III Texas A&M DT
Brady Breeze Oregon S
Brady Christensen BYU OL
Brennan Eagles Texas WR
Brevin Jordan Miami (Fla.) TE
Bryce Thompson Tennessee CB
Cade Johnson South Dakota State WR
Caden Sterns Texas S
Caleb Farley Virginia Tech DB
Calvin Ashley Florida A&M OL
Cameron McGrone Michigan LB
Chris Rumph II Duke DE
Christian Barmore Alabama DT
Christian Darrisaw Virginia Tech OL
Christian Uphoff Illinois State S
Chuba Hubbard Oklahoma State RB
Creed Humphrey Oklahoma OL
Darren Hall San Diego State CB
Daviyon Nixon Iowa DT
Dax Milne BYU WR
Dyami Brown North Carolina WR
Dylan Moses Alabama LB
Elerson Smith Northern Iowa DE
Elijah Moore Ole Miss WR
Eric Stokes Georgia CB
Ernest Jones South Carolina LB
Evan McPherson Florida K
Greg Newsome II Northwestern CB
Gregory Rousseau Miami (Fla.) DE
Hunter Long Boston College TE
Ifeatu Melifonwu Syracuse CB
Isaiah McDuffie Boston College LB
Isaiah McKoy Kent State WR
Israel Mukuamu South Carolina S
Ja’Marr Chase LSU WR
Jack Anderson Texas Tech OL
Jackson Carman Clemson OL
Jaelen Phillips Miami (Fla.) DE
Jalen Mayfield Michigan OL
Jalen Twyman Pitt DT
James Hudson Cincinnati OL
Jamie Newman Georgia QB
Jamien Sherwood Auburn S
Jamin Davis Kentucky LB
Jaret Patterson Buffalo RB
Javian Hawkins Louisville RB
Javonte Williams North Carolina RB
Jay Tufele USC DT
Jaycee Horn South Carolina CB
Jaylen Waddle Alabama WR
Jayson Oweh Penn State DE
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah Notre Dame LB
Jermar Jefferson Oregon State RB
Jevon Holland Oregon S
Jhamon Ausbon Texas A&M WR
Joe Tryon Washington LB
Jordan Smith UAB LB
Joseph Ossai Texas DE
Joshua Kaindoh Florida State DE
Justin Fields Ohio State QB
Kary Vincent Jr. LSU CB
Kelvin Joseph Kentucky CB
Kendrick Green Illinois OL
Kenneth Gainwell Memphis RB
Kolby Harvell-Peel Oklahoma State S
Kyle Pitts Florida TE
Larry Borom Missouri OL
Levi Onwuzurike Washington DT
Mac Jones Alabama QB
Mac McCain III North Carolina A&T CB
Marco Wilson Florida CB
Marcus Murphy Mississippi State S
Marlon Tuipulotu USC DT
Micah Parsons Penn State LB
Nahshon Wright Oregon State CB
Nick Bolton Missouri LB
Nico Collins Michigan WR
Olaijah Griffin USC CB
Paris Ford Pitt S
Pat Freiermuth Penn State TE
Patrick Surtain II Alabama CB
Paulson Adebo Stanford DB
Penei Sewell Oregon OT
Pooka Williams Jr. Kansas RB
Pro Wells TCU TE
Rachad Wildgoose Wisconsin CB
Rashawn Slater Northwestern OL
Rashod Bateman Minnesota WR
Ronnie Perkins Oklahoma DE
Sage Surratt Wake Forest WR
Samuel Cosmi Texas OT
Seth Williams Auburn WR
Shakur Brown Michigan State CB
Shaun Wade Ohio State CB
Simi Fehoko Stanford WR
Spencer Brown Northern Iowa OL
Stevie Scott III Indiana RB
Talanoa Hufanga USC S
Tay Gowan UCF CB
Terrace Marshall Jr. LSU WR
Thomas Graham Jr. Oregon CB
Tommy Tremble Notre Dame TE
Tre Norwood Oklahoma CB
Trevon Moehrig TCU S
Trevor Lawrence Clemson QB
Trey Hill Georgia OL
Trey Lance North Dakota State QB
Trill Williams Syracuse S
Tutu Atwell Louisville WR
Tyler Shelvin LSU DT
Tyson Campbell Georgia CB
Walker Little Stanford OT
Warren Jackson Colorado State WR
Wyatt Hubert Kansas State DE
Zach Wilson BYU QB
Zaven Collins Tulsa LB

And by individual school:

ALABAMA

  • Christian Barmore, DT
  • Mac Jones, QB
  • Patrick Surtain II, CB
  • Jaylen Waddle, WR

ARIZONA STATE

  • Aashari Crosswell, S

AUBURN

  • Anthony Schwartz, WR
  • Jamien Sherwood, S
  • Seth Williams, WR

BOSTON COLLEGE

  • Hunter Long, TE
  • Isaiah McDuffie, LB

BUFFALO

  • Jaret Patterson, RB

BYU

  • Brady Christensen, OT
  • Dax Milne, WR
  • Zach Wilson, QB

CINCINNATI

  • James Hudson, OT

CLEMSON

  • Jackson Carman, OT
  • Trevor Lawrence, QB

COLORADO

  • William Sherman, OT

DUKE

  • Chris Rumph II, DE

EAST CAROLINA

  • Blake Proehl, WR

FLORIDA

  • Evan McPherson, K
  • Kyle Pitts, TE
  • Marco Wilson, CB

FLORIDA A&M

  • Calvin Ashley, OL

FLORIDA STATE

  • Joshua Kaindoh, DE
  • Asante Samuel Jr., CB

GEORGIA

  • Tyson Campbell, CB
  • Trey Hill, C
  • Azeez Ojulari, edge rusher
  • Eric Stokes, CB

ILLINOIS

  • Kendrick Green, OG

INDIANA

  • Jamar Johnson, S
  • Stevie Scott III, RB

IOWA

  • Daviyon Nixon, DT

KANSAS

  • Pooka Williams Jr., RB

KANSAS STATE

  • Wyatt Hubert, DE

KENT STATE

  • Isaiah McKoy, WR

KENTUCKY

  • Jamin Davis, LB
  • Kelvin Joseph, CB

LOUISIANA TECH

  • Milton Williams, EDGE

LOUISVILLE

  • Tutu Atwell, WR
  • Javian Hawkins, RB

LSU

  • Ja’Marr Chase, WR
  • Terrace Marshall Jr., WR
  • Tyler Shelvin, DT

MARSHALL

  • Darius Hodge, EDGE
  • Brenden Knox, RB

MEMPHIS

  • Kenneth Gainwell, RB

MIAMI

  • Brevin Jordan, TE
  • Jaelan Phillips, EDGE
  • Gregory Rousseau, EDGE

MICHIGAN

  • Jalen Mayfield, OL
  • Cameron McGrone, LB

MICHIGAN STATE

  • Shakur Brown, CB

MINNESOTA

  • Rashod Bateman, WR
  • Benjamin St-Juste, CB

MISSISSIPPI

  • Elijah Moore, WR

MISSISSIPPI STATE

  • Marcus Murphy, S

MISSOURI

  • Nick Bolton, LB
  • Larry Borom, OL

N.C. STATE

  • Alim McNeill, DT

NORTH CAROLINA

  • Dyami Brown, WR
  • Javonte Williams, RB

NORTH DAKOTA STATE

  • Trey Lance, QB

NORTHWESTERN

  • Greg Newsome II, CB

NOTRE DAME

  • Aaron Banks, OG
  • Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB
  • Tommy Tremble, TE

OHIO STATE

  • Wyatt Davis, OG
  • Justin Fields, QB
  • Josh Myers, C
  • Tommy Togiai, DT
  • Shaun Wade, CB

OKLAHOMA

  • Adrian Ealy, OT
  • Creed Humphrey, C
  • Tre Norwood, CB
  • Ronnie Perkins, DE

OKLAHOMA STATE

  • Chuba Hubbard, RB
  • Amen Ogbongbemiga, LB

OREGON

  • Jevon Holland, S
  • Penei Sewell, OT

OREGON STATE

  • Jermar Jefferson, RB
  • Nahshon Wright, CB

PENN STATE

  • Pat Freiermuth, TE
  • Jayson Oweh, EDGE
  • Micah Parsons, LB

PITTSBURGH

  • Paris Ford, S
  • Jaylen Twyman, DT

PURDUE

  • Rondale Moore, WR

SAN DIEGO STATE

  • Darren Hall, CB

SOUTH CAROLINA

  • Jaycee Horn, CB
  • Ernest Jones, LB
  • Israel Mukuamu, CB

STANFORD

  • Paulson Adebo, CB
  • Drew Dalman, C
  • Simi Fehoko, WR
  • Davis Mills, QB

SYRACUSE

  • Andre Cisco, S
  • Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB
  • Trill Williams, S

TCU

  • Trevon Moehrig, S
  • Ar’Darius Washington, S
  • Pro Wells, TE

TENNESSEE

  • Bryce Thompson, CB

TEXAS

  • Samuel Cosmi, OT
  • Brennan Eagles, WR
  • Joseph Ossai, edge rusher
  • Caden Sterns, S

TEXAS A&M

  • Bobby Brown III, DT
  • Anthony Hines, LB

TEXAS TECH

  • Jack Anderson, OG

TULSA

  • Zaven Collins, LB

UAB

  • Jordan Smith, LB

USC

  • Olaijah Griffin, CB
  • Talanoa Hufanga, S
  • Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR
  • Jay Tufele, DT
  • Marlon Tuipulotu, DT
  • Alijah Vera-Tucker, OG

VIRGINIA TECH

  • Christian Darrisaw, OT
  • Caleb Farley, CB

WAKE FOREST

  • Sage Surratt, WR

WASHINGTON

  • Joe Tryon, edge rusher

WISCONSIN

  • Rachad Wildgoose, CB

Seniors who opted out of 2020 season and intend to enter 2021 NFL Draft:

COLORADO STATE

  • Warren Jackson, WR

GEORGIA

  • Jamie Newman, QB

LSU

  • Kary Vincent Jr., CB

MICHIGAN

  • Ambry Thomas, CB

NORTHWESTERN

  • Rashawn Slater, OT

OREGON

  • Brady Breeze, S
  • Thomas Graham Jr., CB
  • STANFORD
  • Walker Little, OT

TEXAS A&M

  • Jhamon Ausbon, WR

UCF

  • Tay Gowan, CB

WASHINGTON

  • Levi Onwuzurike, DT

99 underclassmen granted eligibility for 2020 NFL draft

The league has announced that 99 underclassmen will enter the 2020 NFL draft.

The NFL announced Tuesday that the following 99 players were granted special eligibility for the 2020 NFL draft after meeting the league’s three-year eligibility rule. These players will be ineligible to return to college football even if they go unselected in April’s draft.

Name Pos College
1 Ahmed, Salvon RB Washington
2 Akers, Cam RB Florida State
3 Arnold, Grayland DB Baylor
4 Asiasi, Devin TE UCLA
5 Bandy, Trajan DB Miami (Fla.)
6 Becton, Mekhi T Louisville
7 Biadasz, Tyler C Wisconsin
8 Blacklock, Ross DT Texas Christian
9 Bowden, Lynn WR Kentucky
10 Brown, Marcus DE Missouri Western
11 Bryant, Hunter TE Washington
12 Cephus, Quintez WR Wisconsin
13 Chaisson, K’Lavon LB Louisiana State
14 Charles, Saahdiq T Louisiana State
15 Cleveland, Ezra T Boise State
16 Coe, Nick DE Auburn
17 Colon-Castillo, Trystan C Missouri
18 Coulter, Isaiah WR Rhode Island
19 Curl, Kamren DB Arkansas
20 Dallas, DeeJay RB Miami (Fla.)
21 Dantzler, Cameron DB Mississippi State
22 Davis, Gabriel WR Central Florida
23 Davis, Kyle WR Florida Atlantic
24 Delpit, Grant DB Louisiana State
25 Dillon, AJ RB Boston College
26 Dobbins, J.K. RB Ohio State
27 Eason, Jacob QB Washington
28 Edwards-Helaire, Clyde RB Louisiana State
29 Elliott, Jordan DT Missouri
30 Epenesa, A.J. DE Iowa
31 Evans, Darrynton RB Appalachian State
32 Fromm, Jake QB Georgia
33 Garvin, Jonathan DE Miami (Fla.)
34 Gay, Willie LB Mississippi State
35 Gross-Matos, Yetur DE Penn State
36 Guerriero, Pete RB Monmouth, N.J.
37 Guidry, Javelin DB Utah
38 Hamler, K.J. WR Penn State
39 Hand, Harrison DB Temple
40 Henderson, C.J. DB Florida
41 Higgins, Tee WR Clemson
42 Hodgins, Isaiah WR Oregon State
43 Igbinoghene, Noah DB Auburn
44 Jackson, Austin T Southern California
45 Jackson, Trishton WR Syracuse
46 Jefferson, Justin WR Louisiana State
47 Jeudy, Jerry WR Alabama
48 Keene, Dalton TE Virginia Tech
49 Kindley, Solomon G Georgia
50 Kmet, Cole TE Notre Dame
51 Lamb, CeeDee WR Oklahoma
52 Leake, Javon RB Maryland
53 Lynch, James DT Baylor
54 Madubuike, Justin DT Texas A&M
55 McDonald, Cole QB Hawaii
56 McFarland, Anthony RB Maryland
57 McKinney, Xavier DB Alabama
58 Moss, Thaddeus TE Louisiana State
59 Muti, Netane T Fresno State
60 Newman, Tomas DB Virginia-Lynchburg
61 Okudah, Jeff DB Ohio State
62 Okwuegbunam, Albert TE Missouri
63 Parkinson, Colby TE Stanford
64 Peoples-Jones, Donovan WR Michigan
65 Phillips, Jacob LB Louisiana State
66 Pierre, James DB Florida Atlantic
67 Queen, Patrick LB Louisiana State
68 Reagor, Jalen WR Texas Christian
69 Renfro, Debione DB Texas A&M
70 Robertson, Amik DB Louisiana Tech
71 Robinson, Kenny DB West Virginia
72 Rogers, Kendrick WR Texas A&M
73 Ruggs, Henry WR Alabama
74 Ruiz, Cesar C Michigan
75 Salomon, Darnell WR South Florida
76 Samuels, Stanford DB Florida State
77 Scott, Josiah DB Michigan State
78 Shenault, Laviska WR Colorado
79 Siposs, Arryn P Auburn
80 Stone, Geno DB Iowa
81 Swift, D’Andre RB Georgia
82 Tagovailoa, Tua QB Alabama
83 Taylor, Jonathan RB Wisconsin
84 Taylor, Tabyus RB Virginia Union
85 Terrell, A.J. DB Clemson
86 Thomas, Andrew T Georgia
87 Thomas, Jeff WR Miami (Fla.)
88 Turk, Michael P Arizona State
89 Warren, Michael RB Cincinnati
90 Watkins, Quez WR Southern Mississippi
91 Weaver, Curtis DE Boise State
92 White, Cody WR Michigan State
93 Wills, Jedrick T Alabama
94 Wilson, Isaiah T Georgia
95 Winfield, Antoine DB Minnesota
96 Wirfs, Tristan T Iowa
97 Woodward, David LB Utah State
98 Young, Chase DE Ohio State
99 Young, Toren RB Iowa

The league also announced that the following 16 players have fulfilled their degree requirements and are also eligible for selection:

Name Pos College
1 Benjamin, Eno RB Arizona State
2 Betiku, Oluwole DE Illinois
3 Cushenberry, Lloyd C Louisiana State
4 Davis, Quartney WR Texas A&M
5 Gilman, Alohi DB Notre Dame
6 Hennessy, Matt C Temple
7 Holmes, Darnay DB UCLA
8 Ismael, Keith C San Diego State
9 Johnson, Jaylon DB Utah
10 Jones, Tony RB Notre Dame
11 Lewis, Terrell LB Alabama
12 Love, Jordan QB Utah State
13 Lumor, Elorm DE Rutgers
14 Miller, Houston DE Texas Tech
15 Murray, Kenneth LB Oklahoma
16 Simmons, Isaiah LB Clemson

The draft will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada from April 23-25.

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