Roster countdown: 2 McClellan; 2 Downs; 1 McKinstry

Counting down the Alabama roster three players at a time. Capping our final trio for the 2023 series: running back Jase McClellan; safety Caleb Downs and cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry.

2 RB Jase McClellan

2022: As a junior, McClellan saw action in every game. Rushed 112 times for 655 yards (5.8 yards per carry) and seven touchdowns. Also caught 14 passes for 174 yards (12.4 yards per reception) and three more scores. Earned offensive player of the week honors following wins over Ole Miss and Austin Peay.

Of note: With Jahmyr Gibbs now in Detroit, McClellan returns as the Crimson Tide’s most explosive option at the running back position. Between rushing and receiving chances over the last three seasons, the Texan has produced three touches of 65 yards or more. McClellan also has a knack for finding the end zone. Of his 200 career touches to date, 17 have finished in the paint. Of that total, five came in the final three games of the 2022 season.

2 S Caleb Downs

2022: Capped prep career at Mill Creek (Ga.) High School with 66 tackles and five interceptions as a senior. On offense, Downs amassed 704 scrimmage yards. According to the On3 Industry Ranking, he ranked as the top overall prospect in the state of Georgia and the nation’s No. 1 safety recruit for the 2023 cycle. Downs enrolled at UA in January and took part in spring drills.

Of note: Downs wasted no time establishing himself as a prime candidate to fill one of three vacancies at the safety position. In his first A-Day game, the newcomer opened the scrimmage with the Crimson (first-team) defense, producing eight tackles, including one for loss, and an interception. He also returned punts in the final practice of spring drills. A projected starter for the 2023 season opener, Downs could shift from safety to the money position when UA employs its dime package.

What we wrote about Downs upon his signing in December: “Excels from single high looks and sinks into the box in others. Similar to another UA defensive back from the Atlanta area, Brian Branch, in that Downs offers viability at a number of spots in the secondary. Playmaking ability aligns with Minkah Fitzpatrick. Exceptional all-around skill set, closes ground quickly and is a sure tackler. Looks like there is some green on plays, but Downs eliminates space and gets people on the ground with authority.”

1 CB/PR Kool-Aid McKinstry

2022: In his first full season as a starter at cornerback, McKinstry totaled 35 total tackles, a team-high 15 pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and an interception. On special teams, he averaged an SEC-best 15.8 yards per punt return. McKinstry picked up first-team All-SEC honors as a corner and was a second-team all-league choice as a returner.

Of note: For a secondary undergoing considerable change, McKinstry is the equivalent of an anchor tenant. His ability to lock down one side of the field will allow for help to be sent to other areas of the defense. In filling out his skill set, McKinstry showed some edge setting ability in the spring. As a punt returner, McKinstry will be looked upon to supplement an offense that won’t be as dependent on explosive plays as it was a season ago.

Previous:

4 Milroe; 3 Burton; 3 Arnold
8 Smith; 7 Brooks; 5 Williams
11 Story; 11 Benson; 10 Holstein
13 Adams; 12 Kite; 12 Lonergan
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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