Alabama football unveils quarterback depth chart at opening fall camp, revealing early pecking order and key storylines from the first practice.
The first fall practice of the 2025 season for Alabama football didn’t just mark the return of pads and whistles—it marked the beginning of a new era, one filled with high expectations, positional battles, and an intense focus on refining championship-caliber performance. As the Crimson Tide took the field under the scorching Tuscaloosa sun, all eyes were on the quarterback room, and by the end of the session, the coaching staff had given the first real indication of the depth chart at the most important position on the field. But quarterback wasn’t the only storyline. There were notable developments across all phases of the team—offense, defense, and special teams—that began shaping the narrative for what promises to be a thrilling 2025 campaign.
To begin with, the quarterback order was what drew the most media attention, and rightfully so. After months of speculation, head coach Kalen DeBoer and offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan offered the first look at how the Tide plan to stack their signal-callers heading into the season. At the top of the list, redshirt sophomore Jalen Milroe took the bulk of the first-team reps, a sign that the staff is leaning on his returning experience and dual-threat ability. Milroe, who had a rocky but productive campaign in 2024, showed improved footwork, quicker reads, and better command at the line of scrimmage during practice. Observers noted his confidence, and teammates echoed that sentiment, citing his leadership in offseason workouts as a driving force for team chemistry.
Right behind Milroe, true freshman sensation Tayden Kaawa—Alabama’s prized 2025 recruit out of Honolulu—took snaps with the second unit. Kaawa, known for his smooth mechanics, poise under pressure, and surgical precision in the pocket, already looks ahead of schedule. The coaching staff has made it clear that while Milroe may hold the edge in experience, Kaawa will be pushing for real playing time and could force a decision if his development continues to accelerate. His timing with the second-team receivers was on point, and he demonstrated a calm presence in a high-intensity setting. That alone speaks volumes about the trust the coaches have in him.
Third on the chart is redshirt freshman Dylan Lonergan, who has a solid arm and is showing real growth, but still needs to refine his decision-making in live-action reps. Rounding out the group is Eli Holstein, another redshirt underclassman who struggled with consistency but showed flashes of potential. Holstein’s size and arm strength are undeniable, but he’ll need to sharpen his footwork and get a better handle on the offensive system if he hopes to climb the ladder.
While the quarterback competition stole the headlines, there were several other important takeaways from Day 1 of fall camp. The offensive line, a group that struggled with cohesion at times last year, appears to be gelling early. Led by senior center Seth McLaughlin and anchored by junior tackle Kadyn Proctor, the unit showed solid communication and physicality during team drills. Proctor, in particular, looked dominant in one-on-one pass-rush drills, manhandling edge rushers with a combination of strength and technique that reminded many of his breakout freshman campaign.
On the defensive side of the ball, the linebacker corps remains one of the deepest and most athletic groups in the nation. Deontae Lawson, now a vocal leader as a junior, flew around the field with energy and purpose. His ability to read plays, communicate alignments, and clean up mistakes stood out. Next to him, transfer linebacker Jordan Hall made an immediate impression. The Georgia native, who arrived in Tuscaloosa with a reputation for sideline-to-sideline speed, wasted no time making plays in the backfield during inside run periods.
The secondary, perhaps Alabama’s biggest question mark coming into the season due to heavy offseason turnover, gave fans and coaches alike reasons for optimism. True sophomore Caleb Downs has transitioned from rising star to established playmaker. He’s not just a safety anymore—he’s the quarterback of the defense. His ability to rotate coverages, disguise blitzes, and close on the ball was on full display. Opposite him, cornerback Earl Little Jr. held his own against the Tide’s best wideouts, including breakout candidate Kendrick Law. The defense as a whole moved with confidence and cohesion, showing early signs that first-year defensive coordinator Kane Wommack’s philosophy is already taking hold.
Special teams work was limited, but noteworthy nonetheless. Will Reichard, returning for a fifth year thanks to eligibility rules, looked as reliable as ever. His field goal range remains consistent, and his leadership among younger specialists is becoming more evident. Kick and punt return duties are still being evaluated, with Law, Emmanuel Henderson Jr., and Isaiah Bond all fielding reps. Each brings a different dynamic—Bond with his straight-line speed, Law with his vision, and Henderson with his elusiveness.
One of the quieter but most telling observations from the first practice was the energy on the field. DeBoer has brought a new vibe to the program—a mix of discipline, intensity, and player empowerment. There’s a clear emphasis on accountability. Mistakes are corrected in real-time. Coaches are demanding, but positive. Players aren’t going through the motions; they’re competing like jobs are on the line, because they are. That tone was set from the opening whistle and sustained throughout practice.
It was also clear that strength and conditioning work during the offseason paid dividends. The entire team looked leaner, faster, and more explosive. Several returning players reported noticeable muscle gains and improved speed metrics. For example, sophomore edge rusher Keon Keeley looked like a different player—thicker through the shoulders, quicker off the snap, and more violent with his hands. His battles with Proctor in practice were must-see moments, and coaches lingered around that drill with clipboards in hand.
True freshmen beyond Kaawa also began carving out early impressions. Running back Anthony Rogers, a compact and powerful back out of Carver High School in Montgomery, showed excellent burst through the hole and surprising balance for his age. On defense, five-star lineman Zion Grady was disruptive in limited reps, flashing the power and motor that made him one of the most coveted recruits in the country.
Of course, one practice doesn’t make or break a season. The coaches have reiterated that the depth chart is fluid, and what matters most is consistent performance over time. Still, this first day gave a clear window into how the staff views the team right now—and it provides a valuable foundation for what’s to come. The energy was high, the competition was fierce, and the standards unmistakably remained as high as ever.
This is Alabama, after all. A place where national titles are expected, not hoped for. Where the “next man up” mantra is more than a cliché—it’s a culture. And as the 2025 team embarks on its journey, the first day of fall practice served as a statement: the Tide may have new leadership, new faces, and a few unanswered questions, but the mission hasn’t changed. The expectations haven’t wavered. And if Day 1 is any indication, this group is hungry to earn everything that comes with wearing crimson and white.
As fall camp progresses, the quarterback battle will remain under the microscope. Will Milroe solidify his place as the unquestioned leader? Will Kaawa’s raw talent force the staff to rethink their timeline? Will one of the underclassmen make a surprise leap? These questions will shape the narrative over the next month. But beyond the quarterbacks, Alabama’s identity is beginning to take shape—physical on the lines, fast on defense, deep at skill positions, and hungry across the board.
In the weeks ahead, with scrimmages on the horizon and the season opener creeping closer, each rep will matter. Each drill will be evaluated. Each player will have to prove they belong. Because this is Alabama. And nothing is given. Everything is earned.
