Alabama Football 2023 Season Preview: Starting Lineup, Predictions & More

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 31: Kool-Aid McKinstry #1 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after breaking up a pass during the Allstate Sugar Bowl against the Kansas State Wildcats at Caesars Superdome on December 31, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Alabama Crimson Tide won the game 45 - 20. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 31: Kool-Aid McKinstry #1 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after breaking up a pass during the Allstate Sugar Bowl against the Kansas State Wildcats at Caesars Superdome on December 31, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Alabama Crimson Tide won the game 45 - 20. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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Alabama Crimson Tide cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry (Photo by Brandon Sumrall/Getty Images) /

Who’s Back for Alabama Football?

As for this season, there are multiple starters who return for the Crimson Tide this fall, coming on both sides of the ball. Included in those names are a few multi-year returning starters, as well as some notable names who emerged a year ago.

Offense

  • OT JC Latham
  • RB Jase McClellan
  • WR Ja’Corey Brooks
  • WR Jermaine Burton
  • OC Seth McLaughlin
  • WR Kobe Prentice
  • OG Tyler Booker

Alabama football does return multiple names offensively who saw a significant amount of action a year ago, which includes a deep wide receiver room. Headlining this group are Ja’Corey Brooks and Jermaine Burton, while Kobe Prentice is also back for his sophomore season, as are others such as Isaiah Bond and Kendrick Law.

Arguably the Crimson Tide’s biggest returning name on offense is that of JC Latham, who is one of the top offensive linemen in the SEC entering the 2023 season. In addition to Latham, center Seth McLaughlin and guard Tyler Booker also return along the offensive line, while Jase McClellan is a familiar name that is back to lead Alabama’s running back room alongside Roydell Williams and others.

Defense

  • CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
  • OLB Dallas Turner
  • CB Terrion Arnold
  • DL Jaheim Oatis
  • ILB Deontae Lawson
  • S Malachi Moore
  • DL Tim Smith
  • DL Justin Eboigbe
  • OLB Chris Braswell

Likely the biggest name returning for Alabama defensively this season is Kool-Aid McKinstry at cornerback, who will be joined by another returning starter on the opposite side of the field in Terrion Arnold. Malachi Moore is also a prominent name returning in the secondary, while one of the Crimson Tide’s top inside linebackers is also back in Deontae Lawson.

Alabama also returns one of the SEC’s premier pass rushers in outside linebacker Dallas Turner, as well as another notable name at the position in Chris Braswell. Along the defensive front, Jaheim Oatis is back for his sophomore season, alongside others that include both Tim Smith and Justin Eboigbe.

Special Teams

  • K Will Reichard
  • P James Burnip
  • LS Kneeland Hibbett

The special teams unit for Alabama should be strong once again in 2023, as the Crimson Tide also return all three of Will Reichard, James Burnip, and Kneeland Hibbett.

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