In an era when eighth-graders receive FBS offers, it is easy to forget the value of mature rosters. Alabama football had one of the youngest FBS rosters last season. The Crimson Tide will be young again in 2020. Some of the younger players will have to assume leadership roles, particularly in certain position groups.
No matter how talented, younger players often need leadership provided by older teammates. Alabama football is fortunate to have 13 scholarship seniors (including redshirt seniors and graduates) in its 2020 roster.
The 2019 Alabama football defense suffered from a lack of experienced leadership.