Alabama is getting a key boost at a critical time, with both of its top tight ends expected to suit up for Friday night’s College Football Playoff showdown at Oklahoma. Head coach Kalen DeBoer confirmed Wednesday that Josh Cuevas and Danny Lewis Jr. will be available for the semifinal clash - a welcome development for an Alabama offense that leans heavily on versatility at the tight end position.
“Both of them will be available,” DeBoer said. “The progress continues to happen.”
That’s big news, especially considering both players were listed as questionable just a day earlier. For Lewis, it’s been a season of stops and starts.
He’s battled through ongoing limitations that have kept him from being a full-time contributor, but Alabama has found ways to use his size and football IQ in specific packages. He logged just three snaps in the SEC Championship Game, but his presence remains valuable in short-yardage and red zone situations where physicality and experience matter.
“Danny’s is just going to continue to be ongoing,” DeBoer explained. “We’re just utilizing him in certain packages because he’s not necessarily an every-play type of guy.
But he’s a big body in there that we can utilize in ways. He knows the offense really well.”
Cuevas’ return might be the more impactful of the two. The Washington transfer has been out since suffering an injury in practice before the Eastern Illinois game, missing the last three contests. While he’s been limited in practice - spotted on an exercise bike during Monday’s media viewing period - DeBoer made it clear that Cuevas will be ready to go when the Tide takes the field in Norman.
Cuevas has quietly become one of Alabama’s most reliable weapons in the passing game. He’s hauled in 30 receptions for 341 yards and four touchdowns this season, showing a knack for finding soft spots in coverage and making himself available as a safety valve for the quarterback. His familiarity with DeBoer’s system, which he brought with him from Washington, gives Alabama a distinct edge in terms of execution and flexibility.
“Experience, athleticism, just consistent in everything, knows his assignment,” DeBoer said when asked what Cuevas brings to the offense. “He’s been in the system now three years, and so he can kind of do it all.
He’s comfortable in the box, on the line, flexed out. All the little things that we really utilize our tight ends for, he’s just extremely comfortable doing it.”
That versatility is going to matter in a game like this. Alabama’s offense thrives when its tight ends can shift roles seamlessly - blocking one play, stretching the seam the next. Having both Cuevas and Lewis available gives the Crimson Tide the kind of depth and matchup flexibility that could prove pivotal against an Oklahoma defense that’s been solid but hasn’t faced many tight end-heavy looks like Alabama can throw at them.
The Crimson Tide will continue to release daily availability reports in the lead-up to Friday’s kickoff, but with Cuevas and Lewis trending toward full participation, Alabama fans have reason to feel optimistic about the offense’s ability to operate at full capacity.
Kickoff between Alabama and Oklahoma is set for 7 p.m. CT on Friday in Norman, with the game airing on both ABC and ESPN.