Several of Alabama’s incoming freshman defensive backs have the potential to make an immediate impact in their first season.
The start of fall camp in Alabama is rapidly approaching; it is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, July 30. Our summer roster rankings, in which we rank nearly every player individually, therefore proceed.
Freshman punter Alex Asparuhov was injured this spring and the three summer enrollees (Chuck McDonald, Kaleb Edwards, and London Simmons) will not be participating. The grand total now stands at 78.
Previous roster rankings: Nos. 74-78, Nos. 70-73, Nos. 66-69; Nos. 62-65; Nos. 58-61; Nos. 54-57; Nos. 50-53; Nos. 46-49
No. 45 – IOL William Sanders
Previous ranking: No. 57 (+16)
Somehow, Sanders flew under the radar for most recruiting services during the 2024 cycle. On3 had him rated as a four-star and top-100 recruit, but every other service (247Sports, ESPN and Rivals) rated him as a three-star. Watching his high school tape, I immediately fell on the side of On3.
This guy loves to hit people, and he brings elite traits as a puller who has the athleticism to get out and space and lock in on a moving target. Physical, nasty offensive lineman who went from a 295-pound high school lineman to 308 pounds on the latest roster update. Still probably needs some seasoning as a pass protector because he didn’t do it much in high school, but he’s got the physical and mental makeup to be a plus-option there too.
Sanders was flying under the radar some entering the spring, but he started generating enough buzz where we can confidently say he’s got a bright future at Alabama. Has practiced at both guard and center, but I feel like he’s more of a guard in the long term. With Jaeden Roberts, Kam Dewberry and Geno VanDeMark set to lead that position in 2025, I doubt Sanders gets meaningful playing time this season, but I am starting to view him as OG4 behind those guys.
That’s why he climbed so far in my rankings.
No. 44 – WR Cole Adams
Previous ranking: No. 25 (-15)
As much as Sanders climbed in these latest rankings, Adams fell just as far. It’s not that I don’t like Adams. He’s a reliable underneath option with more vertical ability than some realize, but I’m starting to worry about his standing in the pecking order.
Adams was a heavy part of Alabama’s wide receiver rotation prior to his injury last season, but look at what’s been added or returns to that room.
First of all, Jalen Hale is getting close to 100% and should be the primary backup to Isaiah Horton at the X. Speaking of Horton, you’ve now added him to that room alongside true freshman Lotzeir Brooks, who is trending towards a role. Throw in the continued growth of Rico Scott, the added Jaylen Mbakwe from the defensive side and the return of Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard, and Adams could be all the way down at WR7-8.
He’ll still be a valued pass-catcher who I’m sure will see some time while probably being the primary punt returner. What will he be beyond that though? I have no idea.
Projected role in 2025: WR7-8/primary PR
No. 43 – DB Ivan Taylor
Previous ranking: N/A
Taylor was one of my favorite signings in the 2025 recruiting cycle. As the son of former NFL cornerback Ike Taylor, you can tell that Ivan has a long, storied background with the sport of football. He’s got an excellent football IQ that meshes well with a scrappy, fun skillset.
In most situations, I’d give a talent such as Taylor an “immediate impact” tag heading into his first year, but Alabama’s secondary isn’t most situations. Not only are they loaded up at safety with Bray Hubbard, Keon Sabb and Zay Mincey all returning, but they are also in good shape at cornerback and Husky. Taylor could turn out to be the best S4 in the country though.
Along with his 6-foot physique, his weight has increased from roughly 174 pounds his senior year to 194 pounds. Apparently ran a forty-yard sprint of 4.5 seconds before his junior year; nimble, athletic defensive back. Like former Tide safety Xavier McKinney, he has the tools to become a standout in Alabama’s secondary in the future. He needs to exercise patience. However, in 2025, I’m certain he’ll have an impact on defense and special teams. True freshmen will be doing it in droves, not just him.
Projected role in 2025: S4/key ST player
No. 42 – HUSKY Dre Kirkpatrick Jr.
Previous: No. 49 (+10)
Kirkpatrick is quickly becoming a perfect example of Alabama’s ability to develop and not just recruit. His father, former Tide standout Dre Kirkpatrick Sr., was a five-star coming out of high school, but the younger Kirkpatrick only checked in as a three-star while being one of Alabama’s lowest-rated signees in the 2024 cycle.
As expected, that led to a redshirt in Year 1 at the Capstone, but he’s now starting to make moves up with the depth chart while eyeing a rotational role at the Husky/nickel position in Kane Wommack’s defense. Last year, that role fell to fellow freshman Red Morgan, but Kirkpatrick has seemingly taken his spot in Year 2 with Morgan now playing cornerback on the perimeter.
We still don’t know what to fully expect from Kirkpatrick, but he generated a lot of buzz this spring after making several game-altering type of plays in practice. He’s listed at 5-11, 202 pounds, but he’s probably closer to around 5-10 1/2. Wouldn’t say he’s got ideal height and length, but he makes up for it with his physical play style. This makes for yet another quality depth option in the secondary.
Projected role in 2025: Backup HUSKY/ST
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