Alabama is getting closer and closer to the start of fall camp with its eyes set on Florida State in Week 1. In order to best prepare Crimson Tide fans on what to expect from this team in 2025, we continue on with our roster rankings where we break down and rank each player individually.

The only ones who won't be included are the three summer enrollees (Chuck McDonald, Kaleb Edwards and London Simmons) and freshman punter Alex Asparuhov, who was out this spring due to injury. That brings the total number to 78.

Previous roster rankings: Nos. 74-78, Nos. 70-73

No. 69 – LB Luke Metz

Previous ranking: N/A

Metz is a modern linebacker who shows range and the ability to play in space, but he doesn't do anything that will "wow" you necessarily. That's not a bad thing though, as he's a steady, reliable second-level defender who does everything well and brings a lunch pail approach. If I had to rank the three freshman linebackers right now though, he'd check in last because of Darrell Johnson's tremendous athleticism/long-term skill set and Sanders generating the most buzz throughout the spring.

I currently have Metz sitting near the bottom of Alabama's linebacker depth chart, but don't be surprised if he makes a move at some point. His size-length combination (6-foot-3, 230 pounds) exceeds the other two high school signees, as Johnson only stands at 6-1, 220 while Sanders is listed at 6-2, 233 pounds. For now, expect Metz to try to carve out a depth role and maybe lock up something on special teams, but also don't be surprised if he redshirts.

Projected role in 2025: Depth LB/ST

No. 68 – TE Marshall Pritchett

Previous ranking: N/A

Pritchett was once a big-bodied receiver who got a jumpstart on his transition to tight end as a senior in high school, and the growth he put on display was encouraging enough to believe that he can eventually be a strong presence in Alabama's offense. He needs continued development as a blocker, especially while playing inline, but the willingness seems to be there.

Really, it's more about adding mass and getting more physically ready to play in the SEC. For now, I think Pritchett makes a strong case to be an H-move option while he gets bigger and stronger. Will he play as a freshman? Probably not, especially after being limited, and eventually ruled out, in the spring, but there's upside beyond 2025.

Projected role in 2025: Backup H-TE/ST

No. 67 – RB AK Dear

Previous ranking: N/A

I'm extremely high on Dear as a prospect, but after seeing him in the spring, I'm tempering my Year 1 expectations a bit. I haven't softened on the talent, only how quickly he'll get on the field and be a part of Alabama's rotation.

The former top-70 recruit has a skill set that fits into a DeBoer offense that's more versatile than we saw in 2024. Dear brings vision, contact balance and homerun-hitting ability that makes him a possible three-down slasher option for the future, but with Jam Miller, Richard Young, Daniel Hill and Dre'lyn Washington all currently ahead of him on the depth chart, it's difficult to envision an offensive role in his first season.

Dear could eventually make a strong 1-2 punch with current five-star commitment Ezavier Crowell, should that situation finalize in December. Their well-rounded skillsets would provide a perfect complementary piece to what we expect to be a high-octane passing attack with Keelon Russell.

Projected role in 2025: Backup RB/ST

No. 66 – LB Duke Johnson

Previous ranking: N/A

Johnson was once a top-50 recruit in the 2025 cycle, but by the time the final rankings rolled around, he had tumbled all the way down to No. 155 while being the No. 14 LB. ESPN still has him as a top-50 player, but 247Sports (No. 156), On3 (No. 203) and Rivals (No. 218) are all in the same range with his evaluation. We've seen that type of fall happen before, so I wouldn't be overly concerned right now.

With him being more of a do-it-all type playing for Dodge County in Georgia, I'm sure his lack of size and still being relatively new to playing on defense could've hurt his projection some, but he's a quality athlete who might have as much upside as anyone. He’s hovering around 220 pounds nowadays, so he's more physically ready to, at the very least, contribute on special teams, but he'll probably take some time before being ready to chip in at linebacker.

Give him that time to get bigger, stronger and more comfortable playing exclusively on the second level, and you could have yourself an All-SEC performer. For now, I'm projecting him as a backup at Mike (more of the space linebacker in Wommack's defense) who could also help on special teams. Johnson has rangy, sideline-to-sideline ability in the long term with quality length despite only being 6-foot-1. And with Deontae Lawson, Justin Jefferson and Nikhai Hill-Green leaving after the 2025 season, we could see more of Johnson in 2026.

Projected role in 2025: Backup Mike/ST