Roster countdown: 13 Adams; 12 Kite; 12 Lonergan
Counting down the Alabama roster three players at a time. Next up for the 2023 series: wide receiver Cole Adams; cornerback Antonio Kite; and quarterback Dylan Lonergan.
13 WR Cole Adams
2022: Injury sustained in first half of season opener cost Adams the rest of his senior season at Owasso (Ok.) High School. Prior to being sidelined, Adams caught seven passes for 144 yards in just two quarters of action. According to the On3 Industry Ranking, Adams checked in as the No. 38 wide receiver prospect for the 2023 recruiting cycle. He enrolled at Alabama in January and took part in spring drills on a limited basis.
Of note: After sitting out the A-Day game in April, Adams opened fall camp as a full participant. A crowded competition in the slot that includes Isaiah Bond, Kobe Prentice and Emmanuel Henderson greeted the newcomer. In addition to his work at wide receiver, Adams was recently mentioned as a punt return candidate by head coach Nick Saban. Given the depth UA currently has at both of Adams’ primary spots, a spot on the two-deep might be a year away. Injuries and/or continued inconsistent play from those currently ahead of him could push Adams’ ETA up, however.
What we wrote about Adams upon his signing in December: “Worked at multiple spots on offense and in the return game in high school. With his sub-11 second speed in the 100 meters, effective on vertical routes. Undersized but plays without concern for contact, something that shows up when blocking on the perimeter. Figures to be more of an option in the slot at UA.”
12 CB Antonio Kite
2022: Kite maintained redshirt eligibility while seeing action in two games (Louisiana-Monroe and Kansas State) as a true freshman.
Of note: After some question about his ultimate landing spot on defense (safety or cornerback), Kite has settled in at corner. Possess the length and wiring Saban looks for at a position that is asked to play a good bit of man coverage. In April’s A-Day game, Kite opened the scrimmage at left corner for the White (second-team) defense. In recording three pass breakups in the spring game, Kite, a recipient of the Ozzie Newsome Most Improved Freshman Award at the close of spring drills, exhibited poise and recovery skills. Between the sophomore and true freshmen Dezz Ricks and Jahlil Hurley, the extended future appears bright at the position.
12 QB Dylan Lonergan
2022: In eight games as a senior at Brookwood (Ga.) High School, Lonergan completed 120 of 202 passes (59.4 percent) for 1,654 yards and 15 touchdowns with three interceptions. He also rushed 78 times for 397 yards and four more scores. In Week 8, Lonergan sustained a turf toe injury that required season-ending surgery. He enrolled at Alabama in January and joined the Crimson Tide’s football and baseball teams.
Of note: If Lonergan was experiencing anxiety heading into his first A-Day game, it didn’t show up in his performance. In the final practice of 2023 spring drills, the newcomer put off veteran vibes, carrying out play fakes, footwork, ball placement and decisiveness more along the lines of an upperclassman. With those blocks to build upon, it’s easy to envision Lonergan as the guy behind center at some point in the future. Exactly when that might happen is partially dependent on the guys currently in front of him.
What we wrote about Lonergan upon his signing in December: “Athletic prospect who shows a willingness to hang in the pocket and take hits and still deliver the football accurately. Also makes plays with his legs and has twitch needed to deliver effectively when working off platform. Impressive resume compiled against very high level of competition can’t be overstated.”
Previous:
15 Turner; 15 Simpson; 13 Moore
17 Bond; 16 Reichard; 16 Hamilton
18 Preston; 18 Hubbard; 17 Marshall
20 Little; 19 Law; 19 Koht
24 Henderson; 22 Haynes; 21 Pope
28 Jefferson; 26 Miller; 25 Hurley
32 Lawson; 30 Campbell; 29 Ricks
35 Alexander; 34 Robinson; 33 Osborne
41 Braswell; 40 Blackshire; 36 Jackson
45 Ouzts; 44 Payne; 43 Murphy
49 Russaw; 48 Hibbett; 47 Smith
54 McVay; 52 Booker; 50 Smith
57 Pritchett; 56 McLaughlin; 55 Montgomery
65 Latham; 59 Barnes; 58 Brockermeyer
73 Alinen; 71 Dalcourt; 69 Ferguson
77 Roberts; 75 Formby; 74 Proctor
82 Hale; 81 Dippre; 80 Prentice
87 Lewis; 86 Burnip; 84 Niblack
90 Renaud; 89 Lockwood; 88 Kitsleman
93 Latham; 92 Eboigbe; 91 Oatis
96 Keenan; 95 Goodwine; 94 Hill
99 Hastings; 98 Burroughs; 97 Perry
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