Who are the next stars for Alabama football? Former players discuss at Senior Bowl
MOBILE, Ala. ― Alabama football will have a much different looking roster in 2023 than it had in 2022.
Gone are some elite Crimson Tide players. A large contingency is pursuing the NFL; five starters have declared for the draft on offense, and most of the starting defense did the same.
That leaves plenty of opportunity for new and remaining talent to step up in 2023.
At the Senior Bowl this week, The Tuscaloosa News asked several former team members who are players to watch in 2023. Those canvassed include offensive linemen Tyler Steen and Emil Ekiyor Jr., defensive tackle DJ Dale, defensive end Byron Young and safety DeMarcco Hellams.
Here are some of the names mentioned by multiple players.
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JC Latham, offensive lineman
He's not an unknown, but it's clear his former teammates are expecting big things in what will be Latham's second year as a starter.
"I think JC Latham is a guy everyone needs to watch for," Young said. "A lot of fans and stuff probably won’t see him, but scouts (will)."
Latham started at right tackle this past season, but a move to left could make sense with Steen moving on to the NFL.
"It would be a seamless transition for him," Steen said. "That guy, he’s capable of playing both right and left at a very high level. It’s probably going to be no problem for him."
Jaheim Oatis, defensive tackle
Dale: "Jaheim Oatis is going to be great."
Young: "I think he’s going to be special. He’s so big, but he can move so well for his size. He came in ready to learn and work."
Oatis was a co-starter with Dale at defensive tackle as a freshman.
Isaiah Bond, receiver
Ekiyor: "That's one guy. He's pretty talented ... Just a playmaker. I think it comes naturally to him. Takes the top off the defense but also a shifty guy who can catch bubbles and screens and stuff like that and make something happen."
Also mentioned as a player to watch by Young, Bond is going to be a sophomore in the fall. He started in one game in 2022 and caught 17 passes for 220 yards with a touchdown over the course of the season.
Malachi Moore, defensive back
Hellams: "Malachi, he works hard. He’s one of the hardest workers I’ve been around. His style of play really allows him to play free, strong, star, he’s really one of the most versatile guys in the secondary."
Dale also brought up Moore, who will be entering his fourth season in the secondary.
Young running backs
Ekiyor: "Jamarion Miller has been doing really good throughout practices. Throughout the season. Think he’s probably going to take that next step this year and get in the rotation."
Young: "The freshman coming in, Justice Haynes, I think he's going to be a special player."
Dale: "The running back room is going to be crazy."
Haynes is a five-star early enrollee in the 2023 class. Miller will be a second-year running back who rushed for two touchdowns in 2022. They will join veteran running backs Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams in the backfield. Alabama also signed four-star running back Richard Young in the 2023 class.
Other names mentioned at least once
Alabama players at the Senior Bowl spoke highly of plenty of teammates, and the list wasn't short. Players also brought up included offensive lineman Tyler Booker, receivers Ja'Corey Brooks and Kobe Prentice, cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry, linebackers Dallas Turner, Chris Braswell and Deontae Lawson, and defensive linemen Tim Smith and Justin Eboigbe. Hellams also listed all the safeties.
Nick Kelly covers Alabama football and men's basketball for The Tuscaloosa News/USA TODAY Network. Reach him via email: nkelly@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter: @_NickKelly.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama football players who could shine in 2023, from their teammates
