Alabama Basketball Navigates Injuries, While Football Eyes Key Position Battles for 2026
The Super Bowl’s in the rearview mirror, the transfer portal has closed, and with spring games shelved last year, college football is officially in its quiet season. That means for the next several months, we’ll be swimming in speculation-depth chart projections, early breakout candidates, and plenty of “way-too-early” talk. But while football hits pause, Alabama basketball has found itself squarely in the spotlight.
Let’s start on the hardwood, where senior guard Latrell Wrightsell is expected to suit up for Alabama’s upcoming road matchup against Ole Miss. Head coach Nate Oats shared that an ultrasound on Wrightsell’s knee revealed “nothing major,” clearing the way for his return to action. That’s good news for a Crimson Tide team looking to maintain rhythm as the regular season heads into its final stretch.
Tight End Transition: Who Steps Up After Cuevas?
Shifting back to football, Alabama’s offense enters 2026 with a major hole to fill at tight end following the departure of CJ Dippre Cuevas. Cuevas was a reliable target last season, hauling in 37 catches-more than the rest of the tight end room combined. With him off to the next level, the question becomes: who’s ready to step into that production vacuum?
Kaleb Edwards, who finished second among tight ends in receptions, is expected to take on a larger role. He showed flashes last season but also dealt with the usual freshman growing pains, especially when it came to blocking assignments and positioning.
Then there’s Danny Lewis, now the veteran of the group, though injuries kept him sidelined for most of 2025. Interestingly, Alabama’s offense seemed to click best during the brief stretch when Lewis was healthy and contributing-maybe not a coincidence.
Jay Lindsey and Marshall Pritchett are names to keep an eye on as well. Lindsey, in particular, received a vote of confidence from Cuevas himself, who spoke highly of the group during Senior Bowl week.
“I tried my best to leave Alabama better than I found it, and a part of that is my room,” Cuevas said. “With guys like Jay Lindsey, Kaleb Edwards, Marshall Pritchett… I can’t have more trust in them going into this next season.”
The tight end group will also get an infusion of new talent, including transfer Josh Ford and freshman Eli Sutter. Ford’s arrival could be especially significant. Alabama needs to improve its perimeter blocking-an area where the tight end room struggled last season-and Ford brings the physicality and experience that could help anchor that improvement.
With Ryan Grubb running more two-tight end sets than expected last year, the position group’s performance will be under the microscope. Cuevas was a strong receiving threat, but Alabama needs more balance-blocking, route discipline, and consistency across the board. If that happens, this offense could take a big step forward in 2026.
Defensive Line: Beaman’s Comeback and the Battle in the Trenches
On the other side of the ball, the defensive line is undergoing a bit of a reset. Jeremiah Beaman, who turned heads last offseason with a standout body transformation, was poised to be a breakout contributor in 2025. He entered the year as the backup nose tackle behind Tim Keenan, and when Keenan missed the opener against Florida State, Beaman got the start.
Unfortunately, that would be his only appearance. A season-ending injury in practice before Week 2 sidelined Beaman for the rest of the year, and he quietly faded from the spotlight as the season wore on.
Now, with both Keenan and James Smith moving on, the door is wide open for Beaman to reassert himself. He’ll be in the mix for a starting job and, at the very least, will provide crucial depth along the defensive interior.
Alabama also added some serious size and talent through the portal. Devan Thompkins (USC) and Terrance Green (Oregon) bring Big Ten toughness and experience to the trenches.
But don’t overlook Beaman. He was a buzzworthy name last summer for a reason, and if he’s healthy, he has a real shot to be a difference-maker in 2026.
Final Thoughts
There may not be games on the schedule right now, but that doesn’t mean the work stops. Alabama’s football program is in a transitional phase-new faces, new roles, and plenty of competition across the roster. From the tight end shuffle to the defensive line shake-up, the next few months will be about development, chemistry, and setting the foundation for a 2026 season that’s already full of promise.
And while the gridiron takes a breather, the basketball team is still in the thick of it-battling injuries, chasing wins, and trying to make noise in the SEC. It’s the kind of multi-sport balancing act that keeps Alabama fans locked in year-round.
Stay tuned. The quiet season never really stays quiet for long in Tuscaloosa.