5 overlooked Alabama football players creating buzz heading into summer
The rest of the team must take shape too. With a handful of players such as Jihaad Campbell and Tyler Booker off to the NFL Draft, others must step up in their place. Some of that will fall on older players who now have an opportunity because of departures. Younger players can, and likely will, contribute, too; such was the case in Kalen DeBoer’s first season leading the Crimson Tide in 2024.
Alabama wrapped up spring ball April 12 with A-Day, about four months away from the start of the season, and several under-the-radar players emerged that are worth monitoring. These aren’t complete unknown commodities, but they’re players who aren’t yet stars who’ve received praise coming out of spring.
Here are five players generating buzz heading into the summer. Disclaimer: This list is not exhaustive.
Lotzeir Brooks, receiver
Can he be more than a spring darling? Maybe, maybe not. But he certainly caught the attention of many during the spring.
He’s only a freshman, and the receiver room is plenty crowded. Still, Brooks could have a chance to contribute and make some plays for whoever plays quarterback for the Crimson Tide this season. Ryan Williams, Germie Bernard and Isaiah Horton figure to be the main three receivers getting snaps, but Alabama will need more than three receivers in the rotation. Brooks could be one of those guys if he continues to build on his strong spring, but there will be tough competition.
Jeremiah Beaman, defensive line
Tim Keenan III and James Smith are two regulars from last season’s rotation on the defensive line who return. But Alabama’s going to need more help on its interior past Keenan and Smith.
Enter Jeremiah Beaman. He figures to play a role in the rotation. The Birmingham native seems to be on the rise and have a chance to contribute in his sophomore season.
Edric Hill, defensive line
Like Beaman, Hill is trending up. Hill has a year more of experience than Beaman, so he may have an even larger impact. Hill saw time in nine games a season ago, backing up Tim Smith and James Smith. But Hill seems to have made large strides from where he was a season ago.
Zay Mincey, defensive back
There will be a bit of a crowded room once Keon Sabb returns from his injury. It’s likely that Sabb and Bray Hubbard will be the two starters at safety. But that doesn’t necessarily mean Zay Mincey is going to be watching from the sideline. It would be a waste not to get him on the field, too.
Mincey’s got a bright future at safety. He can, and probably will, help this defense in 2025, even if it’s not as a regular starter.
