Stock Report: Five lesser-known players trending up for Alabama
We are just over a month away from the start of preseason football in Tuscaloosa. While there are some familiar faces that will be contributing for Alabama this season, there will also be some new names in the lineup, as well. Today, we take a look at five lesser-known players that were trending up for the Crimson Tide following the spring semester and entering the summer.
The Crimson Tide welcomed back most of its productive wide receivers from last year’s team, including its top two pass-catchers and a trio of then-freshmen that all saw the field. All five will once again be a factor in the passing game, and UA also added junior college transfer Malik Benson, who has impressed. But Henderson, a player often left out of the wideout discussion, could also be in the mix for playing time. The sophomore capped the spring with a touchdown catch in the A-Day Game and has the chance to take on a larger role this fall. Henderson can also return kickoffs, which would fill the vacancy left behind by Jahmyr Gibbs.
Danny Lewis, TE
Alabama added a top transfer tight end to its roster when it pulled Maryland’s CJ Dippre out of the transfer portal, which was significant after the departure of starter Cameron Latu. The Tide also returned players like Robbie Ouzts and Amari Niblack, who both appeared in double-digit games and started a combined four contests. All three should see the field this season, but the one tight end that started the A-Day Game with the first-team offense was Lewis, who led all of the tight ends with four receptions (for 30 yards) in the spring game. Entering his second year in the program, Lewis could see a boost in snaps after only playing in four games.
Earl Little II, DB
Little spent most of the spring as the Star with the first-team defense. But after fellow defensive backs Jahquez Robinson and Tre’Quon Fegans entered the transfer portal before spring drills ended, Alabama was running low on players with experience as the nickel defender, which was why we saw Malachi Moore work there with the ones and Little work with the twos in the A-Day Game. But the latter still showed out in the final spring practice, recording four tackles and an impressive diving interception for the White defense. Even though he ended the spring with the second team, Little is trending in the right direction to be a starter come the fall.
Kadyn Proctor, OL
It’s hard to call a former 5-star recruit a lesser-known player, but Proctor spent spring practice as a second-team offensive tackle. For most, if not all, of UA’s 15 spring workouts, the first unit up front featured, from left to right, Elijah Pritchett, Darrian Dalcourt, Seth McLaughlin, Tyler Booker and JC Latham – with Terrence Ferguson joining the group when Dalcourt worked at center. But in the A-Day Game, Pritchett didn’t solidify himself as the Tide’s starting left tackle, leaving the door open for movement this summer. Proctor, on the other hand, was solid as the second-team left tackle and could get a look with the ones before the 2023 campaign kicks off.
Alabama was without its top two returning edge rushers for most of the spring as Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell dealt with injuries. That created opportunities for other outside linebackers to receive valuable reps, and all of them seemed to take advantage of it. But Robinson, one of the older players at the position, generated some positive buzz during his time on the field. To wrap up the spring, Robinson tallied three tackles and two sacks for the Crimson team on A-Day. While Turner and Braswell are expected to be the starting Sam and Jack linebackers, UA still needs a third ‘backer to emerge. Robinson made a case for that role this spring.
Not a member, Alabama fans? Join BamaOnLine!
Have you subscribed to BamaOnLine.com? You can sign up now for SIX MONTHS of premium access for just $1! Or, you can also get monthly access with your first month being 50% off. Get access to premium articles covering the University of Alabama athletics and recruiting content and also join thousands of Crimson Tide fans on the BOL Round Table message board! CLICK HERE!
