The Alabama Crimson Tide were a contentious addition to the College Football Playoff field, being chosen over undefeated Florida State.
However, given Nick Saban’s postseason prowess, no one expected Alabama to bow out of the Playoff without a fight. Many expected them to beat No. 1 seed Michigan in the Rose Bowl and win the national championship.
The Alabama Crimson Tide were a controversial inclusion in the College Football Playoff field as they were selected over undefeated Florida State. However, given Nick Saban’s postseason prowess, the controversy didn’t have anyone thinking that Bama was going to bow out of the Playoff without a fight. In fact, many thought they would dispatch No. 1 seed Michigan in the Rose Bowl and play for a national championship.
Unfortunately, that’s not the way things played out. After Michigan tied the Crimson Tide late in the fourth quarter to force overtime, Jalen Milroe came up empty trying to answer the Wolverines, resulting in a 27-20 loss in the CFP semifinal matchup, only the second loss in such a game in Saban’s career.
Now moving forward, the Tide are in good hands. Milroe is set to return and we know that Alabama is never short on roster depth and talent.
At the same time, though, some of the stars of this Alabama Crimson Tide team won’t be back for the 2024 season. Let’s take a look at six big names who won’t be returning and, more importantly, who is in line to replace those stars.
Editor’s Note: The list of players who will not return was compiled speculatively following Alabama’s Rose Bowl loss to Michigan. When players confirm their departure from Alabama, we will update this space.
Nick Saban’s decision to keep veteran stud JC Latham at right tackle in favor of true freshman Kadyn Proctor at left tackle was one of the more contentious decisions he made in the 2023 season. With the Crimson Tide’s struggles along the offensive line, particularly early in the season, it appeared that moving the projected first-round pick in Latham to the left side might help a little.
However, in the long run, that decision may be advantageous to Alabama. Given his current draft projections, Latham is almost certain to declare for the NFL Draft as an underclassman.
This will leave a void on the right side of the line, as opposed to the left, where Proctor will return with a year of experience.
Without a doubt, youth and inexperience will be something to keep an eye on for the Crimson Tide offensive line in 2024. However, replacing the right tackle and hoping for Proctor to make significant progress in his second season is far preferable to the alternative.
Saban appeared to have already hinted at his replacement plan for Latham.
When the veteran needed a break in the win over Ole Miss, true freshman Miles McVay, a 4-star recruit from the 2023 cycle, stepped in.
Given that we’ve seen a lot of him this season, particularly in practice and relief reps, he appears to be the most obvious option to pair with Proctor at tackle for the 2024 season.
Upon looking at Saban’s coaching track record in the playoff, two things really stand out to me that I did not realize until doing a little bit more digging.
The first is how truly dominant the Crimson Tide have been in national semifinals.
This is good news for Alabama, and bad news for the Michigan Wolverines… The second is it is truly a flip of the coin when it comes to the national championship.
You need to go out and win, but Saban is pretty much lock to win a semifinal, but 50/50 in a title bout.
