re: Bama Football Tidings

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The positions to watch

There are a few to keep an eye on this August.

Tight end was a particular strength with veterans Irv Smith Jr., and Hale Hentges providing the two major roles used by the position in Alabama’s offense. Miller Forristall figures to move into the H-back position Hentges played recently with the focus on blocking. Replacing the polished receiving threat Smith became will be more of a challenge. Cameron Latu moved over from his linebacker spot to fill in during the spring and made a few nice catches on A-Day. It will be more of a challenge equaling that production from 2018.

It will also be interesting to see how the running back rotation appears in Atlanta with less-heralded junior Brian Robinson getting some offseason buzz. With a pair of No. 1 backs in their respective recruiting classes -- Najee Harris and Sanders -- there’s plenty of talent still in that room.

Along the offensive line, there’s potential for competition with Deionte Brown out for the first four games on suspension. He was probably Alabama’s most effective run blocker when healthy late last season so he could make a push in late September. Evan Neal, a five star who stands 6-6, 360 pounds, also impressed in the spring with physical

It’s your moment

A few players have either waited their turn or had injuries that derailed their career to this point. This is the time for them to bloom or face the prospect of losing their moment.

Running back Najee Harris tops this list. The former No. 1 recruit has been the third option for two years and now there’s a clear hole for the Californian. Mastering the ancillary skills like pass blocking has been a big part of the offseason checklist since Jacobs and Damien Harris had quietly filled those roles previously.

Defensive linemen Raekwon Davis and LaBryan Ray also fit this mold. Davis has been a started but was overshadowed by first-round picks like Quinnen Williams and Daron Payne. Ray has been a rotation player but not a starter at end and he’s flashed that five-star potential.

Should Anoma be out of the plans this fall, the return of Terrell Lewis would be even more crucial at outside linebacker. Uber-talented but often injured Washington D.C. product missed all of last season with an ACL tear. Limited still in spring, Lewis will be one to watch closely this August.

At middle linebacker, Dylan Moses gets the keys to the playcalling role that’s produced a handful of NFL stars in Saban’s tenure. With little depth returning or arriving, he could be among the most important two or three players on this roster.

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Michael Casagrande is an Alabama beat writer for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or on Facebook.

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