It's not just the big-name guys doing well for Alabama this preseason.

Here some of the lesser-known or unheralded Crimson Tide players generating buzz, including an exciting freshman wide receiver and a couple defensive linemen (players listed alphabetically):

Freshman running back Jerome Ford

As if Alabama wasn't already loaded enough at running back, there's now another talented young guy in the mix. While Ford probably won't play much, if at all, this season because of having four talented guys ahead of him on the depth chart, the four-star Florida product has apparently had some standout moments in each of the Tide's two preseason scrimmages and has continued to impress Alabama's other running backs.

"He's nice," running back Josh Jacobs said, smiling. "He's going to be nice. I'm going to let you guys see that for yourselves."

Junior running back Josh Jacobs

Jacobs has done a lot more this preseason than just speak highly of Ford and appears to be in line to be a big part of the Tide offense. Back healthy after missing the spring, Jacobs -- from what we've heard -- has looked great and been impressive throughout the preseason and in both of the scrimmages. Even with Alabama having some other very good running backs, Jacobs may be having the best camp out of that position group and adds a different dynamic with his ability to make plays in the passing game. He scored a touchdown during the scrimmage on Saturday.

Redshirt freshman defensive lineman Phidarian Mathis

Mathis will be part of Alabama's defensive line rotation. While he has primarily worked as the second-team nose tackle dating back to the spring, it seems like he's also gotten some reps recently as the first-team nose tackle. The former four-star recruit has good size at 6-foot-4, 310 pounds and is known as a high-effort player with a good motor.

Junior defensive lineman Tevita Musika

Like Mathis, Musika -- a junior college guy who arrived this summer -- will be part of the Alabama D-line rotation. It sounds like he has some Josh Chapman-like characteristics. As was the case with Chapman, Musika is shorter than most defensive linemen at 6-foot-1 but is big (340 pounds), tough, strong and active in the middle.

Junior tight end Irv Smith

The tight end group hasn't been talked about much this summer aside from Kedrick James, but word is that Smith has had a great preseason and looks ready to build on a sophomore season during which he made four starts and caught 14 passes. In addition to his overall athleticism, Alabama likes the 6-foot-4, 240-pound Smith's elusiveness and ability to create some yards after the catch. During the scrimmage on Saturday, Smith made a defender miss in space after a short catch and gained 10-plus additional yards.

Freshman wide receiver Jaylen Waddle

This is a name to remember. One of the top-ranked members of Alabama's freshman class, Waddle was the star of the Tide's scrimmage on Saturday and is expected to make an immediate impact for Alabama this season. There are some David Palmer-like qualities here in terms of the speed, elusiveness and playmaking ability. He's that good and -- to people inside the program -- has star potential.

"I know when we recruited Jaylen, he had a skill set, tremendous speed, short area quickness, and big play ability," Tide offensive coordinator Mike Locksley said. "I think he'll fit in great with the three guys that played a lot for us last year in Smitty, Jeudy and Ruggs."