2020 Alabama Football Roster Count

With news of Taulia Tagovailoa entering the transfer portal, it’s time again to look at the Alabama football roster and how Nick Saban might work his roster management magic to reach the ultimate goal of 85 scholarship players.

EARLY ENROLLEES (13)

The Crimson Tide quietly passed a milestone this past week as the spring semester at the University of Alabama came to an end and grades were revealed. Twelve freshmen and one juco transfer enrolled in January and finished their first semester at Alabama.

1. Bryce Young QB Fr.
2. Traeshon Holden WR Fr.
3. Thaiu Jones-Bell WR Fr.
4. Drew Sanders LB Fr.
5. Jahquez Robinson DB Fr.
6. Jase McClellan RB Fr.
7. Roydell Williams RB Fr.
8. Will Anderson Jr. LB Fr.
9. Jackson Bratton LB Fr.
10. Demouy Kennedy LB Fr.
11. Chris Braswell LB Fr.
12. Seth McLaughlin OL Fr.
13. Ronald Williams Jr. DB Jr.

SUMMER ENROLLEES (13)

As long as there are no qualifying issues, the following players are expected to enroll for summer courses:

1. Timothy Smith DT Fr.
2. Quandarrius Robinson DE Fr.
3. Brian Branch DB Fr.
4. Javon Baker WR Fr.
5. Javion Cohen OL Fr.
6. Jamil Burroughs DT Fr.
7. Kyle Edwards RB Fr.
8. Kristian Story ATH Fr.
9. Jah-Marien Latham DT Fr.
10. Malachi Moore DB Fr.
11. Damieon George OL Fr.
12. Caden Clark TE Fr.
13. Carl Tucker TE R-Sr. (grad transfer)

RETURNING (63)

Excluding the unlikely return of Lia Tagovailoa, the following Alabama players are believed to be on scholarship:

1. Brandon Turnage DB R-Fr.
2. Paul Tyson QB R-Fr.
3. Trey Sanders RB R-Fr.
4. Kevin Harris LB R-Fr.
5. Tanner Bowles OL R-Fr.
6. Braylen Ingraham DL R-Fr.
7. Pierce Quick OL R-Fr.
8. Amari Kight OL R-Fr.
9. Ishmael Sopsher DL R-Fr.
10. Keilan Robinson RB So.
11. Christian Harris LB So.
12. John Metchie WR So.
13. Jordan Battle DB So.
14. Will Reichard PK So.
15. Jahleel Billingsley TE So.
16. Marcus Banks DB So.
17. DeMarcco Hellams DB So.
18. King Mwikuta LB So.
19. Shane Lee LB So.
20. Byron Young DL So.
21. Darrian Dalcourt OL So.
22. Evan Neal OL So.
23. Justin Eboigbe DL So.
24. DJ Dale DL So.
25. Xavier Williams WR R-So.
26. Jalyn Armour-Davis DB R-So.
27. Eddie Smith DB R-So.
28. Slade Bolden WR R-So.
29. Jarez Parks LB R-So.
30. Emil Ekiyor Jr. OL R-So.
31. Christian Barmore DL R-So.
32. Tommy Brown OL R-So.
33. Michael Parker TE R-So.
34. Cameron Latu TE R-So.
35. Stephon Wynn DL R-So.
36. Patrick Surtain II DB Jr.
37. Ale Kaho LB Jr.
38. Skyler DeLong P Jr.
39. Jaylen Waddle WR Jr.
40. Josh Jobe DB Jr.
41. Jaylen Moody LB Jr.
42. Tyrell Shavers WR R-Jr.
43. Daniel Wright DB R-Jr.
44. Christopher Allen LB R-Jr.
45. Mac Jones QB R-Jr.
46. Chadarius Townsend WR R-Jr.
47. Dylan Moses LB R-Jr.
48. Phidarian Mathis DL R-Jr.
49. Kendall Randolph TE/OL R-Jr.
50. Major Tennison TE R-Jr.
51. LaBryan Ray DL R-Jr.
52. Joseph Bulovas PK R-Jr.
53. Ben Davis LB R-Sr.
54. Deonte Brown OL R-Sr.
55. Landon Dickerson OL R-Sr.
56. Chris Owens OL R-Sr.
57. Miller Forristall TE R-Sr.
58. Brian Robinson Jr. RB Sr.
59. DeVonta Smith WR Sr.
60. Najee Harris RB Sr.
61. Thomas Fletcher SN Sr.
62. Alex Leatherwood OL Sr.
63. Joshua McMillon LB Gr.

FOUR OVER THE LIMIT

This total comes to 89. However, a few possible scenarios/theories abound:

• If you haven’t heard by now, Paul Tyson is a great grandson of the late great Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. The Bryant Scholarship provides scholarships for the children of former players, coaches, staff, managers, and trainers who had served under Bryant. This includes non-athletes. For athletes in this position, they are actually walk-ons but once they officially participate in an NCAA sanctioned sport, they will be counted against any scholarship limit. Tyson’s parents neither played nor worked for Coach Bryant. In addition, Paul is a great grandchild. These points lead one to believe he is not eligible for such a scholarship. However, it is possible that his family is paying his way, freeing up a scholarship
• The inclusion of Michael Parker in the Class of 2018 was and remains an oddity. Despite his 3-star ranking and the Tide’s need for a tight end in that class, his tape was less than impressive. In two seasons, he has only played against Western Carolina last fall. The interesting part is that Parker has two brothers, Jacob and John, who have walked on and graduated from the Capstone. It’s pure speculation, but could there be some kind of arrangement with the Parker family for Michael in which he is not on scholarship?
• It is a complicated matter to know what to think about sixth year senior linebacker Joshua McMillon. His name mysteriously disappeared and reappeared from the roster a few times this offseason. The way things have been going in recent years with the injury bug, it would be nice to have depth at linebacker but his status as a starter is doubtful. He could see more playing time on another team if that is the direction he wants to go.
• It wasn’t that long ago that having a kicker on scholarship was a rarity. Currently, Alabama has three. Punter/kicker Will Reichard is expected back in full health. Walk-on Ty Perine took over punting duties for the Crimson Tide midway through the Tennessee game. Bama has two other walk-on kickers on the roster. In a pinch, Joseph Bulovas can probably punt. Is there any reason to continue to use a scholarship on woeful punter Skyler DeLong?
• WR/RB/DB Chadarius Townsend has already earned an undergraduate degree in just three years and still has two years of eligibility remaining. He participated in 12 games in 2018, but only five this past season. That is not a good sign. He could be a candidate to be encouraged to seek playing time elsewhere as a grad transfer.
• No talk of blueshirts or greyshirts has circulated as of late, but this scenario could present itself. Under normal circumstances, summer enrollment would answer that question. It is all nebulous this year.
• A few months ago, incoming frosh Javon Baker and Jamil Burroughs were both thought to have academic issues. Since the NCAA Clearinghouse works at a snail’s pace, it might take time to figure out their statuses.

ETC.

• For the record, punter Ty Perine was originally a walk-on and is believed to be entering the coming season with the same status.
• Scooby Carter is off the official roster and will not be back. Of note, he has not found a new home.
• Alabama is stuck with Ben Davis for one more fall.
• For a deeper look at the roster, check out Brent’s post from March.