Five Newcomers We’re Watching During Alabama’s A-Day Scrimmage on Saturday

Alabama brought in 40+ new players for the 2026 season between the NCAA transfer portal and the high school recruiting class. Between early contributors and developmental pieces, there will be several new faces wearing Crimson and White in 2026.

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We'll limit ourselves to just five newcomers to watch during A-Day, as several are competing for starting roles with the Crimson Tide. Who are the five newcomers that we will be watching tomorrow afternoon, when the Crimson Tide scrimmages inside Bryant-Denny Stadium?

Caleb Woodson, Inside Linebacker, Senior (Virginia Tech)

Caleb Woodson might have locked up a starting position for Alabama already at inside linebacker after spending the previous three seasons in Blacksburg, Virginia. The 6-foot-3, 238-pound linebacker was the Hokies' second-leading tackler last season with 57 on the season, appearing in nine games. He's added weight and looks poised to be one of the top linebackers for the Crimson Tide in his final season of eligibility, commanding the middle of Kane Wommack's defense. The biggest key for Woodson is how he looks defending the run. At a smaller size, 238 pounds, he'll have to play bigger than his listed size to help the Crimson Tide improve its run defense, which got pushed around at times last season.

Devan Thompkins, Defensive Line, Redshirt-Senior (USC)

Thompkins shined in spurts at USC last season, ending the season with 31 tackles, three sacks, two passes swatted, and a forced fumble. He's now listed at 298 pounds with the Crimson Tide, adding 13 pounds from his listed weight with the Trojans. With his increased size and his game-wrecking length at 6-foot-5, he can provide versatility with the Crimson Tide's defensive looks. Where does Alabama choose to align him? That will be the key for the Crimson Tide at both bandit and interior defensive line. Can he be a game-wrecker?

Desmond Umeozulu, Outside Linebacker, Senior (South Carolina)

Alabama bolstered its defensive line via the transfer portal, adding five transfers along the defensive front four. Among those five new additions was South Carolina transfer edge Desmond Umeozulu, who spent his previous three seasons in Columbia. He spent much of his time behind star edge rusher Dyland Stewart, so his reps have been limited, but he's performed well in his limited role and in his lone start against South Carolina State with four tackles and a sack in the Gamecocks' 38-10 victory. His length, standing at 6-foot-6, should make him hard for offensive linemen to get their hands on, and our first look at A-Day Saturday should be a good one.

Noah Rogers, Wide Receiver, Redshirt-Junior (N.C. State)

Alabama will need to replace two of its top three pass catchers from last season with the departures of Germie Bernard and Isaiah Horton. NC State transfer Noah Rogers has burst onto the scene through Alabama's first two scrimmages, and fans getting their first look at the new Crimson Tide receiver could be excited if he makes a couple of big-time plays on Saturday inside Bryant-Denny Stadium. He can also continue to develop a strong connection with both of the Crimson Tide's quarterbacks, Austin Mack and Keelon Russell, as they battle for the starting position.

Jorden Edmonds, Cornerback, Freshman

Freshman five-star cornerback Jorden Edmonds has generated significant buzz this spring with the Crimson Tide, hauling in two pick-sixes in both of the Crimson Tide's previous scrimmages. Alabama has shown a willingness to play freshman cornerbacks whom the coaching staff deems ready (Zabien Brown in 2024, Dijon Lee in 2025). Edmonds has the length (6-foot-3) to be a rangy cornerback who can make big-time plays, even if he isn't perfect in his technique early in his Crimson Tide career. Can he be the latest freshman to see the field early for the Crimson Tide?

A-Day will start tomorrow, April 11, at 1:00 p.m. in Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.