Freshman report: Where Alabama’s newcomers stand heading into SEC play

Through three games, 18 of the 21 members in Alabama’s 2025 recruiting class have made their Crimson Tide debuts. Defensive tackle London Simmons, tight end Kaleb Edwards and receiver Lotzier Brooks have all started at least one game, while cornerback Dijon Lee and offensive tackle Micahel Carroll have received several first-team opportunities off the bench. 

With Alabama moving into conference play next week, here’s a full breakdown of how the Tide’s 2025 class has performed so far and what to expect from each member moving forward. 

Dijon Lee, cornerback  

Stats: 3 games (86 snaps: 63 defense, 23 special teams); 5 tackles; 1.0 tackles for a loss 

How he’s done so far: Outside of the 40-yard reception Lee gave up during the season-opening loss to Florida State, he’s been pretty solid in coverage. According to Pro Football Focus, the five-star freshman has allowed three receptions on four balls thrown his way, but the two completions after the opener have gone for a combined two yards. 

Lee had a tackle for a loss against Louisiana-Monroe and has also played well on special teams, serving on the kick coverage and punt return units.

What to expect moving forward: Lee played 22 defensive snaps last week against Wisconsin. While he’s firmly behind starters Domani Jackson and Zabien Brown at the two cornerback positions, he should continue to see meaningful defensive snaps as the season progresses. 

Kaleb Edwards, tight end 

Stats: 3 games (83 snaps: 55 offense, 28 special teams); 2 receptions; 18 receiving yards; 1 receiving touchdown

How he’s done so far: Despite joining Alabama over the summer and missing out on spring camp, Edwards has already worked his way into the Tide’s first-team offense. After recording his first touchdown during the win over ULM, the 6-foot-6, 264-pound tight end made his starting debut against Wisconsin last week. 

What to expect moving forward: It seems like Edwards has already jumped ahead of several older options in Alabama’s tight end room. It will be interesting to see what will happen when redshirt junior Danny Lewis Jr. returns from his injury. However, at the moment, Edwards is second in line at the tight end position behind Josh Cuevas.

Lotzier Brooks, receiver  

Stats: 3 games (78 snaps: 61 offense, 17 special teams); 6 receptions; 88 receiving yards 

How he’s done so far: Brooks has flashed his playmaking ability on several occasions and looks to be a useful weapon for Alabama’s offense out of the slot. The 5-foot-9, 191-pound speedster had four catches for 58 yards during his first career start against ULM, as Ryan Williams sat out the game while recovering from a concussion. Brooks had two catches for 30 yards against Wisconsin. That total would have been higher had it not been for a drop in the fourth quarter. 

What to expect moving forward: All but two of Brooks’ offensive snaps have come out of the slot. Given the freshman’s success, that could influence how Alabama looks to use Williams moving forward. Regardless, Brooks figures to see plenty of meaningful snaps as Alabama will look to utilize his agility and ability to make plays in open space. 

London Simmons, defensive tackle

Stats: 3 games (68 snaps: 65 defense, 3 special teams); 6 tackles; 1.0 tackles for a loss; 1.0 sacks; 1 quarterback hurry. 

How he’s done so far: Simmons has done an admirable job filling in for Tim Keenan III and Jeremiah Beamon at the nose guard position. Despite starting the season as a third-string option, the freshman ranks fourth on the team with a 78.1 run-defense grade, according to PFF. He still needs to improve his pass-rushing presence, as he’s generated just two pressures over 31 opportunities. 

What to expect moving forward: Keenan appears to be progressing nicely from his ankle injury and should make his season debut next week. However, Kalen DeBoer said the redshirt senior will still be limited upon his return. While Keenan will ultimately take over the starting role moving forward, Simmons will still be relied upon to provide depth up front. 

Ivan Taylor, safety  

Stats: 3 games (58 snaps: 16 defense, 42 special teams); 3 tackles

How he’s done so far: Taylor saw the field on defense against ULM but has primarily served on special teams, where he is a part of both the kickoff units and the punt return unit. 

What to expect moving forward: Barring injuries, Taylor figures to serve primarily on special teams during his first season. That being said, the former top-100 recruit could play himself into a bigger role as the year progresses. 

Michael Carroll, offensive lineman 

Stats: 2 games (54 snaps: 48 offense, 6 special teams); 74.0 pass-blocking grade (PFF); 58.6 run-blocking grade (PFF)

How he’s done so far: After not seeing the field during the opener, Carroll has rotated in with the first-team offense in each of the past two weeks. The five-star freshman has allowed just one pressure over 30 pass-blocking opportunities. His performance played a big part in quarterback Ty Simpson’s dominance through the air the past two weeks.

What to expect moving forward: If Carroll keeps progressing at this rate, he could usurp Wilkin Formby as Alabama’s starting right tackle. At the moment, the Tide figures to keep rotating the two. Ideally, Alabama would be able to settle on one starter eventually in order to allow its front five to gel. 

Marshall Pritchett, tight end  

Stats: 3 games (51 snaps: 15 offense, 36 special teams); 2 receptions; 12 receiving yards 

How he’s done so far: Pitchett is back to full health after suffering a lower-body injury during the spring. He adds depth to Alabama’s tight end unit while also serving on the kick off return, punt coverage and field goal/extra point kicking teams. 

What to expect moving forward: Prtichett is still lower down on Alabama’s depth chart at the tight end position and figures to primarily serve on special teams this fall. 

Luke Metz, linebacker  

Stats: 3 games (36 snaps: 36 special teams); 1 tackle

How he’s done so far: Metz has yet to take the field on defense but has seen playing on special teams where he serves on both kickoff teams and the punt return team. 

What to expect moving forward: Metz figures to remain a special teamer during his first season. 

Justin Hill, edge 

Stats: 3 games (24 snaps: 19 defense, 5 special teams); 1 tackle; 0.5 tackles for a loss 

How he’s done so far: Hill shared a tackle for a loss against ULM. He also took part in four snaps with the kickoff team during that game. 

What to expect moving forward: Hill doesn’t have a big role on either defense or special teams and figures to see sparse playing time moving forward.

Derek Meadows, receiver  

Stats: 2 games (22 snaps: 10 offense, 12 special teams)

How he’s done so far: Meadows’ 6-foot-5, 212-pound frame is an exciting proposition for the future, but he hasn’t risen to the top of Alabama’s receiving rotation just yet. He’s helped out a little bit on special teams, including six snaps on the punt return unit against Wisconsin. 

What to expect moving forward: Due to Alabama’s depth at receiver, it’s hard to see Meadows being much of a difference maker on offense this fall. 

Jackson Lloyd, offensive lineman 

Stats: 2 games (20 snaps: 17 offense, 2 special teams); 67.0 pass-blocking grade (PFF); 44.8 run-blocking grade (PFF)

How he’s done so far: Lloyd has been Kadyn Proctor’s backup at the left tackle position. He hasn’t allowed a pressure of seven pass-blocking opportunities.  

What to expect moving forward: Barring an injury, Lloyd doesn’t look likely to break into Alabama’s starting rotation. Even if Proctor went down for an extended period of time, Alabama would be more likely to deploy Formby and Carroll as its two tackles. 

AK Dear, running back 

Stats: 2 games (17 snaps: 14 offense, 3 special teams); 7 carries; 85 rushing yards; 1 rushing touchdown 

How he’s done so far: Dear led Alabama in rushing against ULM, carrying the ball five times for 76 yards, including a 56-yard score. 

What to expect moving forward: With Jam Miller returning, it might make sense for Alabama to redshirt Dear this season. Still, the dynamic freshman has already given Tide fans something to be excited for in the future. 

Steve Bolo Mboumoua, defensive line

Stats: 2 games (15 snaps: 15 defense); 4 tackles; 1.0 tackles for a loss

How he’s done so far: Mboumoua has added depth to a thin defensive line, playing 10 snaps against ULM before taking the field for five snaps against Wisconsin. Three of his tackles, including his stop for a loss, came against ULM. 

What to expect moving forward: Mboumoua should continue to provide depth to Alabama’s defensive front. However, he might see less playing time after Keenan returns.  

Keelon Russell, quarterback  

Stats: 1 game (13 snaps: 14 offense); 6 passing attempts; 4 completions; 65 passing yards; 2 passing touchdowns; 1 carry; 1 rushing yard

How he’s done so far: Russell lived up to the hype during his debut against ULM. The five-star passer made a couple high-level throws and already looks ahead of schedule at the college level. 

What to expect moving forward: Despite his impressive debut, Russell is unlikely to play much this season, barring an injury at the quarterback position. Alabama will likely get him into a few more games to prepare him for what could be a heated quarterback competition next spring.  

Duke Johnson II

Stats: 1 game (8 snaps: 8 special teams); 1 tackle

How he’s done so far: Johnson took part in eight special team snaps against ULM, recording a tackle. 

What to expect moving forward: This will likely be a redshirt year for Johnson. 

Chuck McDonald III, cornerback  

Stats: 2 games (7 snaps: 7 special teams)

How he’s done so far: McDonald took part in two reps with the punt return team against ULM before playing five snaps with the kick coverage team against Wisconsin.  

What to expect moving forward: This will likely be a redshirt year for McDonald. 

Mal Waldrep Jr., offensive lineman

Stats: 2 games (6 snaps: 6 special teams)

How he’s done so far: Waldrep served on Alabama’s field goal/extra point team during the first two weeks of the season.

What to expect moving forward: This will likely be a redshirt year for Waldrep. 

Abduall Sanders Jr., linebacker 

Stats: 2 games (6 snaps: 6 special teams)

Johnson took part in six special team snaps against ULM.

What to expect moving forward: This will likely be a redshirt year for Sanders. 

Fatutoa Henry, edge 

Stats: Has not played 

What to expect moving forward: This will likely be a redshirt year for Henry. 

Micah Debose, offensive lineman

Stats: Has not played 

How he’s done so far: Words 

What to expect moving forward: This will likely be a redshirt year for Debose. 

Alex Asparuhov, punter 

Stats: Has not played 

How he’s done so far: Words 

What to expect moving forward: This will likely be a redshirt year for Asparuhov.