It seems like longer, but the 2016 season ended only two weeks and a 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 on 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 offensive tackle position.

WHO'S LEAVING?

Junior Cam Robinson (early NFL entree)

Most saw this coming when Robinson, a former five-star recruit, was named a starter as a true freshman in 2014. Nonetheless, losing a three-year starter at any position, but especially at a spot protecting the quarterback’s blindside, is never easy to absorb. Luckily for Alabama, it has recruited extremely well at the offensive tackle position and has a combination of experienced and young depth.

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WHO'S COMING BACK?

Rising sophomore Jonah Williams, rising junior Lester Cotton, rising redshirt sophomore Matt Womack, rising redshirt freshman Scott Lashley and rising redshirt freshman Chris Owens

Williams started all 15 games at right tackle as a true freshman in 2016 and was featured on every Freshman All-American team in the country. He could remain there in 2017, move to left tackle to replace Robinson for the next two seasons or, theoretically, play anywhere along the offensive line.

OT Scott Lashley

Cotton started the season at left guard, competed for the spot at right guard after Alphonse Taylor’s concussion issues and then was moved back to tackle as a reserve because the coaching staff felt he was better-suited to play at the end of the line of scrimmage. He and Womack were the second-team tackles down the final stretch of the season.

One name to watch in the competition at the vacant tackle position, whether that be left or right, is Lashley. The coaches are extremely high on the former four-star and his potential. Look for him to push the older players following a redshirt season.

WHO'S COMING IN?

Five-star Alex Leatherwood (enrolled), four-star Elliot Baker (enrolled), four-star Jedrick Wills (committed) and four-star Kendall Randolph (committed)

Joining the five returning tackles is a quartet of top-rated recruits. Although he could ultimately play guard, Randolph is listed as a tackle. But like Cotton and Owens, players can line up at different spots throughout their season or careers, which is why the younger brother of Levi Randolph is listed here.

Two other tackles are already on campus as midyear enrollees. A five-star recruit, Leatherwood was in Tuscaloosa prior to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game and is one of the crown jewels of Alabama’s 2017 class. He could push veterans at tackle and right guard this offseason.

The other midyear enrollee is Baker, a junior college transfer from California. More often than not, when a transfer is brought in, he steps into the starting lineup, at least before his UA career ends. Baker comes to Tuscaloosa at a perfect time for that.

WHO COULD STEP UP?

We know Williams will hold down one spot. Now-former offensive tackles coach Mario Cristobal said this of the rising sophomore while in Tampa: “Jonah’s attention to detail, his drive, his determination, I firmly believe that this guy is gonna be one of the best to ever come out the university.”

So that’s settled. But whatever spot he occupies, the other will have a bevy of suitors battling for one starting position. In BamaOnLine’s projected depth chart for 2017, Cotton was slated as the starter at right tackle with Leatherwood locking down the opening to his left. Will that be what we see in the spring?

Players like Womack, Lashley and Baker won’t make it easy and should help create one of the most intriguing position battles of the spring, summer and fall for the Crimson Tide.

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