Alabama football looks local for 2023 walk-ons
There wasn’t much work to be done for Alabama in the class of 2023. A mid-summer lull gave way to an active fall and star-studded winter as the Crimson Tide finished with nine five-stars per the 247Sports Composite and the third-best class in recorded history. There were no signatures to wait on either as all but four of the 24 commits have moved to Tuscaloosa already.
Still, Wednesday was signing day and the Tide did make a few offers. Several in-state players announced their commitment to the dynasty as preferred walk-ons or PWOs. These aren’t scholarship players but are technically rostered. For a historical example, Levi Wallace earned an NFL career after joining the team as a sophomore walk-on in 2016.
Here’s a breakdown of the new additions to Alabama’s No. 1-ranked class.
Hoover’s Rashad Smith (73) blocks Hewitt-Trussville’s Braylon Chatman (3) for Hoover’s Lamarion Mccammon (3) during the second round of the AHSAA 7a football playoffs at the Hoover Met in Hoover, Ala., Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. (Marvin Gentry | [email protected])
Braylon Chatman, Hewitt-Trussville
A 6-foot, 215-pound linebacker, Chatman led the Huskies with 74 solo tackles.
Tuscaloosa County’s Sawyer Deerman tries to get past Hoover’s Garian Denson during a game at the Met in Hoover, Ala., Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. (Dennis Victory | [email protected])
Sawyer Deerman, American Christian
The 5-foot-10, 175-pound Deerman stays home as a three-star athlete. Deerman held offers from Michigan State, Ole Miss and others.
Gulf Shores running back J.R. Gardner IV tries to elude St. Michael defenders Crane Guilian (44) and Parker Baas (60) in the first half of a prep football game Thursday, August 18, 2022, in Fairhope, Ala. (Mike Kittrell | [email protected])
J.R. Gardner, Gulf Shores
At 5-foot-11, 185 pounds, Gardner was a dynamic playmaker and will play running back with the Tide. He totaled 20 touchdowns throughout his senior season.
Mountain Brook’s Reed Harradine kicks a field goal during the James Clemens at Mountain Brook high-school football game in Mountain Brook, Ala., Friday, Aug 26, 2022. (Vasha Hunt | preps.al.com)Vasha Hunt
Reed Harradine, Mountain Brook
The No. 41 punter in the country per Kohl’s Kicking, the 6-foot-4, 222-pound Harradine accepted an offer in December.
Brock O’Quinn, Texas
A long-snapper, O’Quinn was a part of a 13-win Southlake (Texas) Carroll squad.
Kolby Peavy, Excel High
An All-Coastal region team honorable mention, Peavy ran the ball for the nine-win Panthers this fall.
Billy Roby, Huntsville
Roby is the latest in the family line to attend Alabama. His grandfather Billy Roby played for Bear Bryant and his older brother Jackson Roby just finished his stint as a walk-on offensive lineman with the Tide.
1/9/21 MFB Practice Practice
Alabama offensive lineman Evan Neal (73)
Alabama offensive lineman Jackson Roby (62)
Photo by Kent Gidley
1/9/21 MFB Practice Practice
Alabama offensive lineman Evan Neal (73)
Alabama offensive lineman Jackson Roby (62)
Photo by Kent GidleyCrimson Tide Photos / UA Athletics
Antonio Ross, Alexandria High
A 6-foot-2, 180-pound wide receiver, Ross held offers from Memphis and Jax State. He was previously committed to Hugh Freeze when he led Liberty.
Alexandria Antonio Ross (3) intercepts a pass intended for Corner Christopher Wideman (1) and returns it for a touchdown during the first half of a football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2021, in Corner, Ala. (Al.comPhoto/Butch Dill)AL.COM
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Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].