After key departures, Alabama figures to be tested this upcoming season

Only Alabama could lose a Heisman Trophy quarterback, a two-time SEC Player of the Year and return just 10 full-time starters and boast the football team will be better than the previous year.

But only at Alabama that might be true.

Alabama has sustained excellence over the past 15 seasons. Great players depart. Great players emerge. Great seasons follow.

However, that cycle of success figures to be tested in 2023.

Alabama finished 11-2 last season. True, the Tide was two plays from being unbeaten. But it’s also true the Tide was also two plays from losing to Texas A&M and Texas. They also struggled to beat Ole Miss.

Those three games were won by a combined 11 points. That's how close Alabama was to finishing 7-5.

The Tide still projects as a strong contender for the Southeastern Conference championship. Alabama likely will be installed as the preseason favorite to win the SEC West Division.

But will those picks will be based on analysis or force of habit?

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Entering his 17th season in Tuscaloosa, Nick Saban holds a 189–27 overall record with the Tide with six national titles.

It’s a legitimate question to ask why Alabama would be better in 2023 without quarterback Bryce Young, linebacker Will Anderson and eight other players who were selected in the NFL draft.

Eight of those departed players were taken within the first three rounds. Young was the first selection. Anderson was the third. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs was also a first round pick.

Of course, Alabama won’t be without stars.

Linebacker Dallas Turner and All-American cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry headline the defense.

Receivers Jermaine Burton and Ja’Corey Brooks also look to build on 2022 performances in which their production was strikingly similar. Burton had 40 catches for 677 yards and 7 touchdowns. Brooks caught 39 passes for 674 yards and 8 touchdowns.

However, the loss of Young, the 2021 Heisman winner, leaves a gaping hole to fill. Young threw 79 touchdown passes in the previous two seasons. His production, poise and leadership won’t be easily replaced.

The Tide will go into August camp not knowing the starting quarterback’s identity. It could be sophomore Jalen Milroe, redshirt freshman Ty Simpson or Notre Dame transfer Tyler Buchner.

That trio has combined for 8 career collegiate touchdown passes and 8 interceptions.

Alabama’s quarterback outlook hasn’t been this murky since 2015. But it should be noted that year the Tide won the national championship with Florida State transfer Jake Coker at quarterback.

Alabama Crimson Tide

2022 record: 11-2, 6-2

Returning starters

• Offense (5): OT J.C. Latham, OL Seth McLaughlin, WR Jermaine Burton, WR Ja’Corey Brooks, C Darrian Dalcourt
• Defense (5): CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, DB Terrion Arnold, DL Tim Smith, DL Jaheim Oatis, LB Dallas Turner

Primary Area of Strength: Even though All-American linebacker Will Anderson has moved on and was the third player selected in the NFL draft, Alabama still projects to be stout at outside linebacker. Dallas Turner is a highly productive pass rusher. Senior Chris Braswell, who posted 2.5 sacks a year ago, could be due a breakout year. The question is whether he can be as good as Anderson (doubtful) and if Turner can be as productive without Anderson on the other side.

Primary Area of Concern: It’s been a long time since there was uncertainty at quarterback in Tuscaloosa. But there are definite questions now. Neither sophomore Jalen Milroe nor redshirt freshman Ty Simpson distinguished themselves in the spring. They were so underwhelming, in fact, that Notre Dame transfer Tyler Buchner was brought in. Last season Buchner started two games before suffering a season-ending injury. He passed for 273 yards and 3 touchdowns with 3 interceptions. Buchner passed for 201 yards and threw 2 interceptions in the Irish’s 26-21 loss to Marshall.

Significant additions

• RB Justice Haynes: Don’t be surprised if the five-star freshman emerges as the featured back.
• SS Caleb Downs: Five-star freshman prospect will add depth. Maybe much more.
• LB Trezmen Marshall: A transfer from Georgia recorded only 31 tackles in three seasons in Athens. Perhaps that was because the Bulldogs were just so loaded at linebacker. He’ll get his chance to make an impact.
• WR Malik Benson: A five-star transfer from Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College, Benson recorded 1,229 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns last season.

Significant losses

• QB Bryce Young: The first player selected in the NFL draft, the 2021 Heisman Trophy recipient passed for 8,200 yards and 79 touchdowns the last two seasons.
• LB Will Anderson:  Taken third overall in the NFL draft, the two-time All-American compiled 34.5 sacks and 204 tackles in his career.
• RB Jahmyr Gibbs: Also a first round selection, Gibbs led Alabama with 926 rushing yards and 7 rushing touchdowns last season. He also caught 44 passes for 444 yards.
• S Brian Branch: A second round NFL draft selection, Branch broke up 7 passes and intercepted 2 and posted 90 tackles in 2022.

Top Players

• CB Kool-Aid McKinstry: Earned All-American accolades last season for breaking up 15 passes, intercepting 1 and posting 35 tackles.
• OLB Dallas Turner: In two seasons Turner has posted 12.5 sacks, 18 tackles for loss and is credited with 14 quarterback pressures.
• G Tyler Booker: A freshman All-American last season he figures to break out in 2023. Booker appeared in 12 games last season. He made his first start in the Sugar Bowl victory over Kansas State.

2023 Alabama Schedule

• Sept. 2 vs. Middle Tennessee
• Sept. 9 vs. Texas
• Sept. 16 at South Florida
• Sept. 23 vs. Ole Miss
• Sept. 30 at Mississippi State
• Oct. 7 at Texas A&M
• Oct. 14 vs. Arkansas
• Oct. 21 vs. Tennessee
• Nov. 4 vs. LSU
• Nov. 11 at Kentucky
• Nov. 18 vs. Chattanooga
• Nov. 25 at Auburn