Kalen DeBoer provided an update today on the current state of Alabama’s tight end group, sharing insight into how the team is shaping out in the wake of.

DeBoer emphasized that Alabama’s tight end room took a significant hit during spring practice. Multiple injuries sidelined key players: Josh Cuevas, Danny Lewis Jr., and true freshman Marshall Pritchett all missed meaningful time or were ruled out for spring entirely. That left Cuevas as the only returning tight end with actual game experience, though he was later ruled out for the remainder of spring drills, along with Pritchett

In the early spring, DeBoer openly characterized the tight end room as “thin”—a level of depth-starved that forced offensive and defensive units to collaborate in order to gain reps and run optimal personnel packages. Without CJ Dippre and Robbie Ouzts, who both went to the NFL, and with Ty Lockwood transferring out, the position was down to only a handful of scholarship players: Cuevas, Lewis, Jay Lindsey, Peter Knudson, and Pritchett. Among them, Lindsey and Knudson got significant looks because Lewis was sidelined, Cuevas and Pritchett were ruled out, and Kaleb Edwards (a 4-star signee) wasn’t yet enrolled (On3).

During that same spring window, DeBoer ruled Josh Cuevas and Marshall Pritchett out for the remainder of spring after Danny Lewis had already missed practice. That opened the door for Lindsey to see extended work and made clear how shallow the scholarship options were—Edwards hadn’t enrolled and thus hadn’t been part of spring drills

Rather than rely only on the returning roster, DeBoer and staff addressed the depth issue by plucking two tight ends via the transfer portal: Brody Dalton from Troy and Jack Sammarco from West Virginia. DeBoer praised the pair as “one younger, one older,” bringing more size and versatility along with complementary skillsets—Dalton a senior with moderate receiving production, Sammarco still developing but bringing blocking size and familiarity in pro-style sets (SI).

Dalton had logged 20 catches for 276 yards and three touchdowns over two seasons at Troy. Sammarco had limited production in West Virginia but played 13 games and showed value in inline blocking duties. DeBoer explained they needed bodies who could “play both of their hands in the dirt, play off the ball,” and fit the size profile Alabama seeks for a tight end who can block and flex in multiple formations (SI).

Heading into fall camp, DeBoer delivered a notably more optimistic tone: he said the group is in a “good spot” and will only get better. Summertime rest and rehab work paid off—Cuevas, Lewis, and Pritchett have made progress, returning to full-go or edging close to game readiness. Their volume of reps is increasing, and the summer work is translating into noticeable improvement, according to DeBoer. He concluded that “we got more tight ends out there now, all of a sudden, than we could have ever imagined,” with growth underway across the unit

Broader structural context: DeBoer’s offensive style consistently uses “12” personnel—one running back, two tight ends—meaning he strongly values rotational tight ends who can both block and catch out of various alignments. In Washington, and more recently at Indiana, DeBoer has depended on tight ends for stretched coverage and run blocking, often deploying them as vertical threats or critical blockers. He sees that alignment as a core piece of his scheme’s versatility

So as of today’s update, here’s how Alabama’s tight end room looks:

(1) CJ Dippre and Robbie Ouzts, the 2023 stalwarts, are no longer in the program—they graduated and opted for the 2025 NFL Draft. Their absence created immediate holes in productivity and locker‑room experience. Dippre had been the most balanced TE, reliable in blocking and stretch‑field receiving; Ouzts was known for his physical run work and special teams value

(2) Josh Cuevas (transfer from Washington) missed spring drills after being ruled out, but has since returned and has been regaining his role through summer camp. DeBoer stressed he’s increasing Cuevas’s volume of reps and expects him to be a leader in the 2025 rotation

(3) Danny Lewis Jr., a redshirt sophomore who sat out spring due to injury, is now on pace, fully cleared and practicing. DeBoer praised his rehab while noting he knows the offense well and should take multiple reps this fall

(4) Marshall Pritchett, a true freshman signee, also missed spring due to injuries sustained around signing time. However, after summer recovery, he’s now back in camp and viewed as full-go. DeBoer acknowledged he didn’t participate late in spring but has since returned to full strength

(5) Jay Lindsey, the Butler, Ala. redshirt freshman, found himself as perhaps the only scholarship TE healthy during spring. His extended work earned reps in the spring rotation, and he continues to practice and develop. Cuevas has even publicly praised him, calling him a “brother” and highlighting their mutual encouragement as teammates working to elevate each other

(6) Peter Knudson and Jayden Hobson (incoming from portal or transfers) received spring looks as reserve/inexperienced scholarship TEs trying to earn rotational roles

(7) Kaleb Edwards, a four-star signee in the 2025 recruiting class, remains on campus track to enroll in summer/fall. He didn’t participate in spring drills but adds future ability and length to the room; DeBoer hinted he’s still viewed as someone who will help down the line but is not on the spring depth chart  

(8) Portal additions Brody Dalton (Troy) and Jack Sammarco (West Virginia) were introduced after spring. Dalton brings experience and short‑yardage receiving ability; Sammarco, a sophomore with who played rotational inline snaps in 2024, brings more blocking size and experience in pro-style sets. DeBoer sees that pair as giving Alabama a blend of youth and veteran support as they head into fall

In today’s terms, DeBoer’s update shows that Alabama has moved from a fragile and injury‑plagued tight end group in spring to a stronger, deeper, and more balanced room heading into camp. Rehabilitation of injured players, combined with portal pickups and incoming high school talent, has resurrected the position. It remains a work in progress—especially in terms of chemistry, timing with Ty Simpson or Ty Simpson‑led offense, and consistency in practice reps—but the trajectory is upward.

DeBoer repeatedly used optimistic language: “good spot,” “getting better and better,” “will continue to improve,” and “more tight ends out there than we could have ever imagined.” While he doesn’t promise immediate breakout performances, the implication is clear: Alabama expects this group to contribute significantly in 2025 via rotation, “12” personnel packages, and specialized roles defined by blocking and mismatches in space.

On the coaching side, Bryan Ellis, who was hired by DeBoer in February 2024 as tight ends coach, has continued developing the position group alongside Co‑offensive Coordinator Nick Sheridan (who also oversees quarterbacks). Both emphasize versatility, intelligence, and the ability to execute multiple roles—not just traditional blocking or receiving roles, but players who can flex, line up off the ball, and run the entire route tree within DeBoer’s pro‑spread system

In sum, today’s update reflects a resolved and actively improving situation: Alabama’s TE room has navigated past the worst spring injuries, added size and depth via portal, reclaimed key contributors through summer recovery, and now enters fall practice with optimism and growing internal competition. The group remains younger, less proven than previous years, but now has enough pieces to allow DeBoer to run his preferred two‑tight end concepts while building depth and developing future contributors heading into the 2025 season.

Let me know if you’d like a player‑by‑player projection of the fall depth chart or how the tight end group fits into Alabama’s full offensive identity moving forward.