Several future Alabama stars have emerged over the past year. Outside linebacker Dallas Turner followed in Will Anderson Jr.’s footsteps and advanced from five-star signer to starting edge rusher in his debut season. Kool-Aid McKinstry did the same as a cornerback, working his way into first-team defense by the end of the year.
Other newcomers from Alabama showed their potential at key moments. Wide receiver JaCorey Brooks’ crucial last-minute catch at the Iron Bowl was one of the defining plays of last season, while offensive lineman Seth McLaughlin’s performances in both the SEC Championship Game and the Cotton Bowl were crucial to the Crimson Tide’s postseason Run.
Alabama is no stranger to sophomore success. Bryce Young won the Heisman Trophy in his second season last year, while Mark Ingram did the same in 2009. Tua Tagovailoa’s best season came in Year 2 when he threw for 3,966 yards and 43 touchdowns in 2018.
The defensive side of the ball is no different as Anderson has enjoyed a second campaign in which he led the nation in both sacks (17.5) and tackles to a loss (33.5). DeMeco Ryans recorded 123 tackles as a sophomore in 2003, a mark that ranks second on Alabama’s single-season list.
Even current kicker Will Reichard had his best season yet in his sophomore year in 2020, connecting on all his tries while notching 14-of-14 with field goals and 84-of-84 with extra points.
With that in mind, here’s a look at seven Alabama sophomores who are ready for breakout season this year.
Dallas Turner, OLB
Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Statistics 2021: 15 games; three starts; 30 duels; 10 tackles for a loss; 8.5 bags; five quarterback rushes
Outlook for the second degree: Turner appeared as a freshman. The question now is will he be able to put together a second season similar to Anderson’s last year? That might seem far-fetched, but it’s worth noting that Turner averaged 0.57 sacks per game last season, which is slightly higher than the 0.54 sack average Anderson averaged during his freshman year in 2020.
“Me and Dallas had so many bets and he broke all my records,” Anderson said during spring camp. He’s still learning. He wasn’t comfortable with anything. He’s still looking for the next step that will help him get better and achieve his ultimate goal, which is get better.”
Yes’ Corey Brooks, WR
Photo | Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Statistics 2021: 15 games; two launches; 15 receptions; 192 reception yards; two receive touchdowns; a punt return for 19 yards; a blocked boat
Outlook for the second degree: Brooks sat out the spring with an undisclosed injury but was able to build plenty of momentum late last season. The 6-foot-2, 196-pound receiver logged all of his receptions in Alabama’s last six games, including the national championship game, where he caught six passes for 47 yards.
Brooks should be ready to return to the field by the fall, where he’ll likely be battling for Alabama’s third starting wide receiver spot alongside transfers Jermaine Burton and Tyler Harrell. Both Burton and Harrell present deep threat options that should open up the rest of the field for Brooks if he wins the job.
Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB
Photo | Gary Cosby Jr-USA TODAY Sports
Statistics 2021: 14 games; six launches; 26 duels; a tackle for a loss; a sack; an interception; One Pass Separation
Outlook for the second degree: McKinstry is currently competing with senior Kyree Jackson and junior LSU transfer Eli Ricks for the two openings in Alabama’s cornerback starting positions. Of this trio, McKinstry appears most poised to take on a first-team role this fall.
The Birmingham, Alabama native featured in his last four games last season, filling in for injured cornerbacks Jalyn Armour-Davis and Josh Jobe. McKinstry had a key pass deflection during overtime at the Iron Bowl, batting away a two-point conversion attempt in the back of the end zone. Alabama won the game in the following game when Young found John Metchie III for the crucial conversion.
Scroll to Next
McKinstry suffered a few freshman errors last season, most notably during the national championship game when he was hit by Georgia receiver George Pickens for a 52-yard reception. Still, the five-star cornerback has the size and talent to become a lockdown option at the position.
JoJo Earle, WR
Alabama Athletics
Statistics 2021: 12 games; a start; 12 receptions; 148 reception yards; 5.5 average with 16 punt returns; a tackle
Outlook for the second degree: Earle’s freshman performance was hampered by a leg injury that caused him to miss three games. Though he wasn’t featured heavily on offense, he earned All-SEC honors as a freshman as a punt returner, as his modest 5.5 yards per attempt would have been much higher had his teammates not given a few sloppy holding penalties.
Earle led the first-team offense with four receptions for 51 yards during that year’s A-Day game but suffered a couple of ugly drops in scrimmage. Still, the sophomore’s weirdness makes him an ideal option for the slot and will see him contend for a starting role this fall. Regardless of how he’s used offensively, Earle could serve as a punt returner for Alabama again this season.
Seth McLaughlin, C
Alabama Athletics
Statistics 2021: 10 games; three starts; 76.8 Barrel Lock Score (Pro Football Focus); 52.9 Pass Blocking Class (PFF)
Outlook for the second degree: After filling in for an injured Darrian Dalcourt late last season, Seth McLaughlin will battle with the senior for the starting role at the center this fall.
McLaughlin received a lot of praise for his performance in the SEC championship game against Georgia as well as his Cotton Bowl performance against Cincinnati, which allowed only a few pressure points in the two games. However, it’s worth noting that Alabama wasn’t heavily blitzed in either game. As Georgia brought the Heat into the national championship game, McLaughlin suffered, giving up seven pressure points.
Despite his tough national championship game, McLaughlin is showing a lot of promise going forward. If he can continue to make headway this fall, it will go a long way in bolstering Alabama’s uncertainties across the board.
JC Latham, OL
Photo | Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Statistics 2021: 14 games; 77.9 Barrel Blockage Degree (PFF); 53.4 Pass Blocking Class (PFF)
Outlook for the second degree: After arriving in Alabama as the top-rated offensive tackle in last year’s class, Latham served as a backup for Emil Ekiyor Jr. at right flank during his freshman season with the Crimson Tide. His biggest involvement came when he filled in for an injured Ekiyor against Cincinnati in the Cotton Bowl and posted a 78.6 run-blocking rating and a 74.2 pass-blocking mark over 55 offensive snaps, according to the PFF.
Latham is able to slip into a starting role after spending the spring as a right tackle against Alabama’s first-team offense. The second year was one of the brighter spots on the fighting offensive line during camp.
“I think JC has made a lot of progress,” Nick Saban said after the A-Day game. “I think he’s a lot more confident. He certainly has the ability, and the more knowledge and experience he gains, the better he becomes. So we’re not happy with where he is, but we’re happy with the progress he’s making. And he’s one of those guys who needs to continue to focus on his development.”
James Burnip, P
Photo | Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY SportsUploaded:
Statistics 2021: 15 games; 39.13 average at 48 points
Outlook for the second degree: Who says a punter can’t make the list? While Burnip averaged 39.13 yards per punt as a walker last season, he offered enough hangtime not to miss out on costly returns. It was also the Australian’s first year in American football after joining Crimson Tide last summer.
Now that he’s become more acclimated to his surroundings both on and off the field, Burnip will make a significant move in his second season of college football. It will be interesting to see if Saban allows the former Australian soccer player to unlock his arsenal of kicking styles once he starts to demonstrate more confidence in the role.