Alabama football: who’s returning – update

Yet to Announce

Alabama made the announcement on Thursday that the Tide Juniors will be announced at 10:00 am cst today.

OL Deonte Brown – redshirt sophomore

Deonte Brown took over the starting left guard position over Senior Lester Cotton midway through the season, but did not see any playoff action due to suspension.

DB Shyheim Carter – junior

Arguably the most talented unknown of Alabama’s defense in 2018 with a team high 2 pic sixes, and 10 pass break ups, Shyheim Carter can bring some veteran leadership back  next season.

RB Joshua Jacobs – junior

Joshua Jacobs stong play down the home stretch of Alabama’s season has made his NFL Draft stock soar, making it unclear if he will declare with follow running mate Damien Harris or return as Alabama’s potential lead back next season.

LB Anfernee Jennings – redshirt junior

The veteran linebacker has been at Alabama for 4 years and could potentially return for a 5th. Anfernee Jennings was having a breakout sophomore season before an injury kept him out of the 2018 National Championship. He finished this season with 10.5 TFL and 6.5 sacks prior to losing the 2019 National Championship game. Anfernee could return next season as a veteran leader for a run at another title. Worth noting Jennings is a graduate.

LB Terrell Lewis – junior

Terrell Lewis will likely return for his Senior season due to injuries. Lewis missed the majority of the 2017 season due to an arm injury and all of 2018 due to a knee injury that occurred before the season began.

TE Irv Smith Jr. – junior

First of the big 3 expected to declare for the 2019 NFL Draft, Irv Smith Jr. Clear top round draft pick, but he has not declared yet so there is still hope. The 2019 tight end class is deep, however all of the other receiving weapons are returning to Alabama next season. That does not leave much more room for increasing his draft stock next season.

DB Saivion Smith – junior

Saivion Smith had a season high 11 tackles im the SEC Championship game this season, and was expected to turn pro at season’s end. He was injured in the National Championship game which has led to some uncertainty of his decision. Like Diggs, Saivion may have to return for his Senior season to reaffirm his NFL Draft stock.

DB Deionte Thompson – redshirt junior

If the NFL Draft was prior to the College Football Playoff, Deionte Thompson may have been one of the top safeties off the board, however he did not have a good showing against Oklahoma and Clemson. This opens the door for Thompson’s return to Alabama. Worth noting Thompson is a graduate.

OL Jonah Williams – junior

The second of the big 3 expected to declare for the 2019 NFL Draft. Jonah Williams would arguably be a top 10 pick and the top o-lineman drafted. Follow line-mate Ross Pierschbacher is also entering the draft, so that could possibly deter him from also leaving, but let’s be honest we’re just reaching. Worth noting Williams is a graduate.

DL Quinnen Williams – redshirt sophomore

The last and most important of the big 3 expected to declare for the 2019 NFL Draft. Quinnen Williams’ season has been one for the Alabama and NCAA record books. Nothing really to say here really because…he gone. Well not officially but be ready.

LB Mack Wilson – junior

Mack Wilson has been a known as a big hitter for Alabama since his freshman year. He has shown flashes of the classic Alabama linebacker, but seems to be just short of that final step to being the leader and dominating force on that Alabama defense. Wilson could use his Senior season to make him the next prototypical linebacker for the NFL.

Regardless of who declares for the 2019 NFL Draft early, Alabama football has plenty of talent remaining for another run at a title next season. Expect to see any of the Tide players who declare as underclassmen to be taken often throughout the 2019 NFL Draft, and will certainly make an impact on Sundays as many of the former Alabama football alumni do.

All info was gathered from https://rolltide.com/roster.aspx?path=football