Overview (Alabama):

When you think about Alabama’s offensive structure, you automatically think about Jalen Milroe. Usually, the quarterback is the most discussed figure in the media and most important to on field success – that’s totally understandable. After the quarterback, you then turn to the bevy of weapons at the skill position like Jermaine Burton, Isaiah Bond, Kobe Prentice, and the three-headed monster at running back. Next comes the offensive line as a group that came into the season with major acclaim, struggled early, but rounded into shape over the course of the season to live up to the hype. That leaves us with the two remaining pieces: the tight end group & how 1st year offensive coordinator Tommy Rees disperses them.

Amari Niblack, CJ Dippre, & Robbie Ouzts are the unsung heroes of the Alabama football team. Alabama is historically known for smash mouth heavy personnel groupings and running the ball at will. However, over the last eight years they’ve transformed into one of the more dynamic and explosive offenses in the country – primarily through their vertical passing game. Having lost Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Bryce Young, who went on to be the 1st overall pick, after the 2022 season – Nick Saban let us all know the Crimison Tide would be returning to the signature approach that turned them into the dynasty they are today.

One of the biggest tells, other than Saban himself explicitly saying it, was the hiring of former Notre Dame offensive coordinator Tommy Rees to run the offense. Known for heavy tight end sets, an imposing running game, and creativity in the vertical passing game, the pairing seemed like a no-brainer on paper. Despite previous experience at an institution such as Notre Dame, Rees at just 31 years old faced serious questions – not about his coaching ability, but if he would be able to perform under the pressure cast upon him at a program of Alabama’s stature.

Alabama’s Unsung Tight End Room

So far, he’s risen to the occasion. One of the biggest reasons why is his continuous faith in the tight end room. To be fair, although unsung, Alabama’s tight end room is as talented as any in the country. Amari Niblack is a 6’4 232 pound former five starter that has the ability to function as third receiver in certain groupings, but is also a willing blocker both in line and on the perimeter. CJ Dippre, a Maryland transfer, is 6’5 257 pounds with boatloads of experience as a gifted blocker & viable threat in the passing game. Then there’s Robbie Ouzts, the 6’4 265 pounder that doubles as a tight end & hybrid h-back adding to the versatility of the offense. More importantly, Ouzts provides an edge & a physicality in the blocking area that doesn’t appear in a statistic, but is extremely invaluable in-game.

Niblack is the most notable statistically and is easily the most identifiable on the field, but instead of solely highlighting him, I think it’s more important the combine their statistical output together to more clearly paint the picture. Tommy Rees doesn’t dial up plays to the tight ends in bunches, but he certainly goes to those guys in big moments. The tight ends collectively have 31 catches for 526 yards & five touchdowns. That means that on average every time a Crimson Tide tight end touches the ball, there’s a 17 yard gain and on every 6th reception a touchdown is the result. It can’t be overstated how important not only the reliability is, but ability to make defenses pay when you choose to go to that route.

I believe the most beneficial characteristic the tight end room brings to Rees is the fact that they provide solutions to the toughest of questions posed in-game. Most notably, Alabama switched to heavy 12 (one running back & two tight ends) and even 13 (one running back & 3 tight ends) personnel sets in the SEC Championship Game against Georgia. This not only further increased Alabama’s numbers in the run game, but provided answers as to how to attack the perimeter in the passing game as well. Whether it was Ouzts digging out a 4i in the run game, or clearing the way for Jam Miller’s wheel route touchdown, or Niblack & Dippre making big catches for 17 & 12 yards respectively, the tight ends once again found themselves being counted on in big moments.

As for the Rose Bowl, who knows exactly what Michigan will throw at Alabama from a schematic standpoint on defense. They’re a pretty straightforward team in that regard – much like Alabama is on that side of the ball. They’re not a heavy blitz team, primarily a four man rush up front, man outside corners, & little safety rotation. I do know that at some point in the game, Tommy Rees will either have to answer a question from the defense, or provide creative answers to get his offense a chunk play. When he does, don’t be surprised if it’s a tight end that gets their number called.