It seems like longer, but the 2016 season ended only a week and three days ago. And while the dust settles around Alabama’s 14-1 (8-0 SEC) season, we, much like Nick Saban’s 24-hour rule, set our sights to the future and what’s in store for 2017.

We continue our Offseason Outlook series, which will highlight the state of each position group, breaking down the outgoing, returning and incoming players at each spot and attempt to predict which players will step into starting roles next season.

Next up is the tight end position.

WHO'S LEAVING?

Senior O.J. Howard (eligibility), redshirt senior Brandon Greene (eligibility) and redshirt senior Truett Harris (eligibility)

Up to this point in this series, we’ve seen a number of players, especially starters, that are set to return to Tuscaloosa for the 2017 season. But the tight end position is where we see a mainstay on offense depart for the NFL after four years as a starter.

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Howard ended his career at Alabama with 114 receptions and 1,726 yards, which both rank 10th all-time in school history, and seven touchdowns. Over the course of the past two years, the 6-foot-6 pass-catcher has developed into a reliable blocker and occasional gamechanger -- see last year’s title game.

His decision to return for his senior year may have not resulted in a spike in stats, but Howard will almost certainly hear his name called in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

The Crimson Tide is also losing a blocking tight end, and emergency tackle, in Greene. Unless someone makes a position change, Alabama doesn’t have another big body like Greene that it can send on the field in a goal-line of short-yardage situation.

WHO'S COMING BACK?

Rising junior Hale Hentges, rising sophomore Miller Forristall, rising sophomore Irvin Smith and rising sophomore Cam Stewart

The good news for Alabama is its young tight ends saw plenty of playing time this past season -- and in Hentges’ case, the past two seasons. Hentges and Forristall were both used on the first-team offense in all 15 games, and Forristall gradually saw more and more of the field as the season progressed.

The sophomore-freshman duo combined for eight receptions and 83 yards and proved to be more than capable blockers. Forristall seemed to help pave the way for several of quarterback Jalen Hurts’ and the stable of running backs’ long runs, too.

Then there’s Smith, who saw the field as a reserve in a handful of games. Although he didn’t record any stats, Smith looked like a veteran when he put on the pads, and the Tide staff is hopeful he can replicate his father’s seven-year NFL career.

It will also be intriguing to see what happens with Stewart. The 6-foot-8 walk-on has a resume that lists minor league baseball player on it and could be a secret weapon to throw into the mix. But it’s always tough to tell what will happen with walk-ons.

WHO'S COMING IN?

Four-star Major Tennison (enrolled) and three-star Kedrick James (committed)

The addition of two more tight ends will help alleviate some of the pressure in replacing a player of Howard’s caliber. Tennison, who is already on campus as a midyear enrollee, brings another 6-foot-6 frame to the offense, and he was near the top of Alabama’s wishlist in terms of players at his position in 2017.

James is another player that was high on the Tide’s board. The three-star tight end from Waco, Texas, is a firm commitment and will join the Alabama program this summer. With Tennison and James on board, 2017 will mark the second straight year the Crimson Tide has taken two tight ends in a recruiting cycle.

WHO COULD STEP UP?

The two likely candidates to start in 2017 are Hentges and Forristall, since the pair of them saw the field the most this past season, outside of Howard. They know the offense, which will return six starters, including a rising sophomore quarterback, and would make for the easiest transition to life after Howard.

But as we saw in 2016, Alabama likes to use more than two tight ends, so I would watch out for Smith and Tennison. That quartet would give new offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian and whoever is named tight ends coach a nice mix of options at the position -- a mix that will be around for a couple years.

Whichever player or combination of players earns the starting nod this fall, they will have some big shoes to fill. Howard will tackle the Senior Bowl next week to begin a professional journey that is sure to open some eyes when he hits the NFL stage.

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