Nick Saban: We have no depth chart, everyone is competing

A new season gives every team a chance to wipe the slate clean and start from scratch. That effort can oftentimes start right after the last year ends but, in general, that usually kicks off with the start of spring workouts and, eventually, spring practice. With that in mind, Nick Saban had no problem sharing that nothing has been determined yet down at Alabama.

During his press conference on Monday, Saban said no positions have been filled yet on either side of the ball. The Tide’s depth chart, at this moment, is completely blank. That’s because he says he and the staff are giving every player every chance they can to show they are deserving of the opportunity to compete for them on the field next season.

“There’s a lot of opportunity. Everybody has an opportunity. Everybody has an opportunity to compete for a position,” said Saban. “You guys love depths charts. But we don’t really have a depth chart right now.”

“We want to give everybody reps and everybody a chance to show what they can do,” Saban said. “And see how each and every individual might be able to contribute to the team next year.”

Per usual, Alabama has a lot of production to replace from last season’s roster. Beyond those that graduated or are continuing their careers elsewhere, the NFL Combine invited 13 Crimson Tide players to compete in Indianapolis. Bryce Young and Will Anderson naturally headlined that group but it also features other key pieces from the previous team in Brian Branch, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Henry To’o To’o amongst others.

With all that left to replace, not one or two players on Alabama’s roster can just fill those gaps alone. It’s going to take a group effort from players that many probably don’t even know yet down in Tuscaloosa. You’re naturally going to have some obvious picks in names like Kool-Aid McKinstrey, Jermaine Burton, and Dallas Turner. Still, there’s clearly a lot left to decide when it comes to the Tide in 2023.

Saban and his coaching staff are taking the right approach when it comes to their roster this spring. Coming in with any predetermined notions could affect their entire next season up until the very end. With a lot of questions to still answer, they’re electing to pencil in prospects as they go rather than mark down anyone in bold yet. Now, from here, it’s just a question of who makes the most of all the opportunities that Saban is eluding to.