Eligibility Watch: Where Alabama’s Freshman Class Stands Heading into CFP
Since the NCAA rule change in 2018, a college football player can appear in up to four games and still retain a redshirt for that season.
This creates a unique balance for coaches to figure out how much playing time and in-game experience a guy should earn weighed against the opportunity of him getting another year of eligibility.
The majority of players that come to a place like Alabama have no intentions of redshirting their first year barring injury. But realistically, it ends up being the best option for most guys, especially if buried on the depth chart.
However, not playing at all or playing in less than four games, is no indication of future success. For example, Alabama starting cornerback Terrion Arnold redshirted his first season in 2021, not appearing in any games, before starting seven games in 2022 and all 13 games this season. And now Arnold is likely headed off to the NFL after this season with first-round draft projections.
There are multiple factors that can keep players off the field their first season in the program under Nick Saban from difficulties learning the playbook, injuries or simply having too many talented upperclassmen ahead of them at their position. It is not always a reflection on the player or his talent level, but simply the set of circumstances.
For some guys, like day-one starters safety Caleb Downs and left tackle Kadyn Proctor, playing time comes early and often. But for others, it takes patience, or sometimes results in a trip to the transfer portal if that patience runs thin or it appears that playing time will never come in Tuscaloosa.
Here's a look at which of the 26 true freshmen from the 2023 signing class have or have not burned their redshirt in their first season at Alabama as the Crimson Tide prepares to face Michigan in the College Football Playoff on Jan. 1:
Played in more than four games
(All of these players are not eligible for a redshirt.)
1. Caleb Downs- DB
- Downs started at safety from Week 1 against Middle Tennessee and never gave up the job. He's done more than asked or expected– started 13 games, leads the team in tackles, has two interceptions and now works at punt returner.
2. Kadyn Proctor- OL
- Proctor also started from the first game, but his road has been a little more rocky, switching out some playing time at left tackle with redshirt freshman Elijah Pritchett. However, Proctor has shown tremendous growth throughout the season, eventually earning Freshman All-SEC honors alongside Downs.
3. Jalen Hale- WR
- Hale has appeared in 12 of 13 games for Alabama this season, seeing a lot of minutes in the receiver rotation. His biggest moment came in Week 4 with a touchdown against Ole Miss.
4. Justice Haynes- RB
- While not receiving as many snaps on offense behind Jase McClellan, Roydell Williams and Jam Miller, Haynes has played in 12 of 13 games with his playing time in most games coming on special teams. He does have 21 carries for 137 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
5. Bray Hubbard- DB
- Hubbard has played in eight games this season, mostly on special teams.
6, James Smith- DL
- Smith has played in nine games in a rotational role along the defensive line. He has two tackles.
7. Tony Mitchell- DB
- Mitchell doesn't have many defensive snaps this season, but he has appeared in seven games, mostly on special teams.
Played in four or less games
(Still maintain redshirt.)
1. Olaus Alinen- OL
- Appeared in four games, so if he is called upon in the CFP, he will burn his redshirt.
2. Miles McVay- OL
- McVay has appeared in three games this season, all in blowout victories over Middle Tennessee, Mississippi State and Chattanooga.
3. Richard Young- RB
- As the fifth guy on the depth chart at running back, Young only played in the Chattanooga game. He did have nine carries for 24 yards and his first career touchdown in that game.
4. Wilkin Formby- OL
- Similar to McVay, Formby saw reserve snaps along the offensive line in three blowout games: Middle Tennessee, Kentucky and Chattanooga.
5. Jordan Renaud- DL
- Renaud played in two games against Kentucky and Chattanooga with four total tackles.
6. Dezz Ricks- DB
- Ricks appeared in just two games against Kentucky and Chattanooga.
7. Edric Hill- DL
- Hill appeared in two games and had a tackle against Chattanooga.
8. Cole Adams- WR
- Appeared in two games and had his first career receptions against Chattanooga.
9. Ty Lockwood- TE
- Appeared in two games with no recorded stats.
10. Dylan Longergan- QB
- Lonergan became the No. 3 guy on the depth chart after Tyler Buchner's performance against USF. However, Lonergan only saw playing time in one game this season with two completions in the victory over Chattanooga. Because of that, he could play in the CFP and still retain a year of eligibility.
11. Jaren Hamilton- WR
- Appeared in two games with no recorded stats.
12. Conor Talty- K
- Talty would have been the starter this year had Will Reichard not returned for his fifth season. He appeared in three games with eight kickoffs and one successful extra point attempt.
13. Roq Montgomery- OL
- Appeared in two games.
Has not made an appearance this season
1. Eli Holstein- QB
- At one point in fall camp, Saban and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees said all five quarterbacks were getting reps in practice. At fifth on the depth chart, Holstein is the only one to not get any in-game reps.
2. Jahil Hurley- DB
- An in-state defensive back from Florence that has not seen playing time this season.
3. Keon Keeley- OLB
- Keeley was the highest-rated player in Alabama's 2023 signing class, but has not seen the field this season. Behind guys like Dallas Turner, Chris Braswell and Quandarrius Robinson at the edge rusher position, it's hard for a guy like Keeley to find reps.
4. Hunter Osborne- DL
- Osborne has not seen playing time along the defensive front this season.
5. Yhonzae Pierre- OLB
- Pierre is in a similar situation to Keeley. He was a highly-rated in-state prospect, but was not able to make the climb up the depth chart.
6. Qua Russaw- OLB
- Russaw did not appear this season as one of the top players from the state of Alabama coming out of Montgomery.
