Alabama sophomore tight end expected to lead group after departure of Josh Cuevas

Josh Cuevas was the obvious leader of Alabama football’s tight-end room last season as one of the veterans on the Tide’s roster.

With Cuevas expected to get drafted by an NFL team this month, the Tide will likely lean on a young group of tight ends during the 2026 season. Kaleb Edwards is Alabama’s most experienced returning tight end.

The California native started in six games while also playing in all 15 of the Tide’s games in 2025 as a true freshman. Those meaningful reps have put Edwards in a position to play with confidence this spring.

“Kaleb, last year, took a lot (of reps),” DeBoer said. “He didn’t have a spring and came in the summer, so he wasn’t (an) early enrollee a year ago. So, he got thrown in the fire with very few reps. Seeing his development both with the strength in an offseason and then just his familiarity and how confident he is, I think it’s showing up.”

Edwards pulled in 11 receptions for 150 yards and a touchdown last season. The 6-foot-6, 268-pounder recently told reporters he enjoyed the playing time he experienced during the 2025 season while playing alongside Cuevas. The two have continued to talk as Edwards transitions into a bigger role for Alabama this spring.

“It was surreal, didn’t expect to play as much as I did, and it was just my number got called, and it was just a lot of fun, a lot of great learning experience, especially just getting to play with Cuevo, just learned a whole ton from him,” Edwards said. “We still talk all the time, just still learning from him.”

Under the Tide’s new tight end coach Richard Owens, Edwards is working on his game to take the next step in his development in year two.

“Run blocking, just technique, just getting better at that, and then routes, seeing the ball in, all of it,” Edwards told reporters when asked what he is working to get better at this spring.

Edwards will definitely be a player to watch on A-Day.