The Alabama Crimson Tide had a relatively disappointing 2024 campaign in the first year under Kalen DeBoer, posting a 9-4 record that included a dispiriting loss to the Michigan Wolverines in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
They had seven players hear their names called during the 2025 NFL Draft, along with a number of others who signed as undrafted free agents.
How will DeBoer and the Tide reload? It’ll start with these 10 returners, who’ll have to step it up in order for Alabama to return as competitors for an SEC and national title.
Alabama Crimson Tide Top 10 Returners in 2025
10) Jam Miller, RB
Technically, Miller started last season but was in an RB-by-committee approach, splitting carries with the departed Justice Haynes, who transferred to Michigan. Additionally, now Seattle Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe carried the ball much of the time.
Miller carried the ball 145 times for 668 yards and seven touchdowns, proving to be a force out of the backfield with his 5’10, 218-pound frame. He’ll be poised for a more featured role during his senior season and could surpass the 1,000-yard mark.
9) Keon Sabb, Safety
As a sophomore in 2024, Sabb started seven games for the Crimson Tide before missing the rest of the season to injury. However, he made his presence felt when healthy, recording 39 total tackles, two interceptions, and four passes defensed.
The four-star product will be the leader of the secondary next season and will almost certainly add to his four career interceptions as he’s been a ball-hawk during his first two seasons in college.
8) Tim Keenan III, DL
Keenan, at 6’2″, 326 pounds, move extremely well for his size while possessing the needed strength to anchor the middle of the defense.
Last season, he had 40 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. Keenan is a classic Alabama defensive lineman, strong in stature but with the athletic ability to surprise the opposition and blow up plays.
7) Germie Bernard, WR
Bernard excelled in his first season with the Crimson Tide, catching 50 passes for 794 yards and two touchdowns with another score on the ground.
The 6’1″, 209-pounder is an absolute burner, stretching the defense out and opening up things underneath for his teammates. He and Milroe had a great rapport with the deep ball — if he can establish something similar with new QB Ty Simpson, Bernard could be in for a breakout senior campaign.
6) L.T. Overton, DL
A five-star prospect in the 2022 recruiting class, Overton transferred from Texas A&M prior to 2024, yet impacted the Alabama front in a big way last season.
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He had 42 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, and a forced fumble despite starting just four games and playing in a rotational role. Now expected to step into a featured role along the interior, Overton is in for a big season and could parlay that into being a first-rounder in 2026.
5) Domani Jackson, CB
Jackson started all 13 games after transferring in from USC and had a terrific season locking up SEC pass catchers.
He was a sure tackler, amassing 27 solo tackles (51 total) and reeling in two interceptions with seven passes defensed. One of the best CBs in the SEC, Jackson is just another candidate on this roster to be a first-round pick come 2026.
4) Deonate Lawson, LB
Lawson finished last season second on the team in tackles despite only playing in 10 full games due to a season-ending injury.
He’ll be back in the fall to lead the middle of the Tide defense, as he’ll hope to add to his 2024 totals of 76 total tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble and interception apiece. The third-team All-SEC linebacker has his eyes set on a first-team nod.
3) Parker Brailsford, Center
Following DeBoer from Washington, Brailsford immediately claimed the starting center job and put together an exceptional season in which he was named second-team All-American by the FWAA and received numerous other postseason recognitions.
Brailsford will be the leader of the offensive line for Alabama with hopes of protecting Simpson and opening up holes for Miller. A first-round talent, it wouldn’t be a surprise for his name to be called early in the 2026 draft.
2) Ryan Williams, WR
Williams had a true freshman season to remember, catching 48 passes for 865 yards and eight touchdowns and showing off his entire skill set as a pass catcher — at only 17 years old. Yes, 17.
Williams will be 18 for the entirety of the 2025-26 season and is widely-regarded as one of the top WRs in the country. His 18.0 yards per catch was one of the top marks in the country, and he’ll once again be a deep threat for the Tide with his immense speed and ability to make acrobatic catches.
1) Kadyn Proctor, OT
The No. 1 offensive tackle in the 2023 class, Proctor took his lumps during his true freshman season but stepped it up in 2024 as Milroe’s blindside protector.
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His frame at 6’7″, 360 pounds, allows him to anchor against pass-rushers and effectively plow defenders in the run game. The fact that he still has a lot of room to grow shows his vast potential, as he’s already one of, if not the, top tackle in college football.
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