A college football season full of unique challenges and circumstances because of the COVID-19 pandemic ended with a convincing Alabama victory over Ohio State in the national championship game.
Both programs are giant forces on the recruiting trail right now, which led to a much-anticipated showdown featuring multiple former ESPN 300 prospects and more than a dozen future NFL draft picks.
With the 2020 season now in the books, both teams will turn their attention to the future, which will include having to replace important players and turning to recruiting to help do so. As Alabama seeks to defend its title and Ohio State eyes another shot at the championship, here's a look at how each is restocking its roster for 2021.
Alabama Crimson Tide
There is the phrase "reload not rebuild," and Alabama has proved to be a perfect example of that. Having won their third national championship during the College Football Playoff era and weeks away from signing their seventh No. 1 class, the Crimson Tide look poised to remain at the front of the pack of national title contenders.
Like it does every year, the roster will be impacted by early departures to the NFL. Circumstances could change in spots, but with four top-three classes signed between 2016 and 2020 and another on the way, there is plenty of evidence the Tide have the talent to fill needs.
Offense
QB quality remains high
Alabama signed two four-star quarterbacks -- Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones -- in 2017, and the return on those two signings was impactful. With Jones now likely on his way to join Tagovailoa in the NFL, Alabama looks to be in excellent position to address the QB position. The Tide signed the No. 1 QB in the 2020 class in Bryce Young, a high school phenom from California with the arm talent, physical skills and smaller stature that draw comparisons to Kyler Murray.
Young possesses the tools to be a true dual threat and provide a dynamic skill set Jones lacked. Many projected Young would secure the starting quarterback job as a true freshman, but Jones emerged and Young instead had a valuable year to acclimate. Spot duty reps benefited Young and put him in a position to successfully take the reins much in the way his two predecessors did.
Reinforcement at running back
The running back position got great news when Najee Harris elected to return for 2020, and he now leaves as Alabama's all-time leading rusher. Replacing a back with his blend of size, agility and speed is incredibly difficult, and Alabama also loses his primary backup in Brian Robinson Jr.
Don't feel bad for the Tide, though. The stable is full of highly skilled top-level prospects. Jase McClellan was one of several running backs signed in 2020, and the former ESPN 300 prospect got some touches this season. When healthy, which has been a challenge, Trey Sanders is a big back with excellent ball skills. Alabama beat out Oklahoma in this class for No. 3 RB Camar Wheaton, an explosive runner with big-play speed. They have a deep pool of talent but will still need to replace nearly 2,000 rushing yards.
Flourishing wideouts from Florida
The wide receiver position will lose some elite talent with Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith moving on and explosive counterpart Jaylen Waddle likely joining him. While it needs to be proved, this roster looks capable, as it has in the past, at replacing playmakers. With the loss of Waddle to injury, 2019 four-star signee John Metchie III stepped up, finishing second in receptions and touchdown catches. He and the elusive Slade Bolden will return.
Alabama has continued to sign star playmaking wide receivers out of Florida, namely Amari Cooper, Calvin Ridley and Jerry Jeudy. Freshman Thaiu Jones-Bell and redshirt sophomore Xavier Williams are former ESPN 300 prospects who saw some action and are contenders to play a bigger role moving forward. They also signed multiple wide receivers out of Florida in their 2021 class. Jacorey Brooks out of IMG Academy is a lengthy and smooth target, and Christian Leary, who has elite speed, will be another potential impact freshman.
Minimal drop-off on the line
The Crimson Tide fielded one of the premier offensive line units in the country this season and need to replace several starters, but for those concerned, Nick Saban is set to bring in his best O-line class yet.
The left side of the line will take a hit, but former five-star Evan Neal returns at OT. OG Emil Ekiyor Jr. should return, too. Much like Neal started as true freshman, expectations are 2021 five-star signee J.C. Latham could as well. Both out of IMG, Latham is a big body with excellent feet and could fill a need at tackle or guard initially. Bama is also bringing in the No. 1-ranked OT Tommy Brockermeyer, who is flexible and nimble for his 6-foot-6, 280-pound frame, and he will be tough to keep off the field if he can remain healthy after battling some injuries in high school.
The Tide will also need to replace the valuable center position. However, 2019 No. 3 C Darrian Dalcourt has gained some experience during his first two seasons. Also arriving is No. 1-ranked C James Brockermeyer, who is not as big as his brother but is an excellent technician and tenacious player.
Defense
Rebuilding the front seven
Alabama will lose some key pieces from its dominant defensive unit, including DL Christian Barmore. Even with some misses up front in recent classes, this is still a very talented defensive line group with Justin Eboigbe, Byron Young, DJ Dale and Tim Smith all former ESPN 300 players set to return. If Phidarian Mathis returns, they have a solid foundation in the trenches, as that group collectively notched over a dozen tackles for loss this season. Third-ranked 2021 DT Damon Payne brings disruptive first-step quickness and should at the least add immediate quality depth.
At linebacker, sophomore Christian Harris and freshman Will Anderson Jr. have been valuable contributors who should only improve with reps. Anderson, who established himself as one of the most impactful freshman defenders in the country, plays the disruptive Jack position, which also fits the elite skill set of arriving 2021 five-star Dallas Turner. The Florida native is a name to watch, as he is an explosive edge defender with elite measurables.
Key secondary loss
Replacing Patrick Surtain II is a difficult task, but outside of that tall order, Alabama did use a lot of youth in the back end. Former ESPN 300 defenders Malachi Moore and Brian Branch played as true freshmen at the hybrid Star position. The safety unit looks poised to return with good production from guys like Jordan Battle, who has a physical skill set.
There are several former ESPN 300 prospects on the roster who can replace the All-America corner, but a lockdown heir apparent is unproven. The Tide, however, signed the top-rated junior college CB in the country in Khyree Jackson. He brings tremendous length and excellent ball skills.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Though they fell just short of their ultimate goal, the Buckeyes still reached the College Football Playoffs for a fourth time and look to be a strong contender to make a fifth appearance as result of their recruiting efforts.
Ohio State has been a consistent force on the recruiting trail, having signed four top-five classes over the previous five cycles. Its 2021 class is again among the best in the nation. This current squad is set to lose some big contributors, including a few key transfers such as QB Justin Fields from Georgia and RB Trey Sermon from Oklahoma -- but the talent level remaining will keep them in the hunt again.
With the NCAA freezing eligibility this season and potential early draft entries still to be announced, circumstances could change in spots, but here's a look at how Ohio State is prepared to reload for the 2021 season from recruiting.
Offense
Questions at QB
Fields was the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2018 class and demonstrated difference-making ability in Columbus. He is slated to be among the first quarterbacks off the board in the NFL draft and will not easily be replaced. There is a good chance the Buckeyes' next quarterback will be making his first college pass attempt when he takes the field, and while valuable experience can't be overlooked, they will have a talented group from which to find their next starter.
Ohio State signed two ESPN 300 QBs in the 2020 cycle: Jack Miller and C.J. Stroud. Miller battled injuries in high school, and it was Stroud who was tapped to briefly come in during the semifinal game when Fields left. A year in the program will be a benefit for both, but Ohio State has signed another signal-caller in No. 4 QB-PP Kyle McCord. Despite being the true freshman, he should not be counted out. McCord is a strong-armed passer who can make all the throws and is mobile enough to extend plays.
Top targets return
Whoever is under center, he will have one of best groups in the nation to throw to. Chris Olave and potentially TE Jeremy Ruckert will have decisions to make on whether to return, but the receiving corps still has the pieces to be an outstanding unit.
Garrett Wilson was the No. 2-ranked WR in the 2019 class and is delivering on his potential. He was among the team leaders in receptions and touchdowns and the explosive slot will be one of the best in country in 2021. True freshmen Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Julian Fleming, who was the No. 1 overall prospect in 2020, have already begun to contribute and should only improve with the experience gained. Fleming has the size, speed and hands to be an elite player and breakout candidate next season.
There are also more talented targets en route, with No. 2 WR Emeka Egbuka and ESPN 300 wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. both signed.
RB reloads with No. 1 recruit
The running back position will need to replace a lot of production as well, but the picture moving forward looks clearer than the quarterback one. Sermon made the most of his time as a Buckeye, leading them in rushing and setting a school single-game rushing record in the Big Ten championship game. He did not operate alone, as former four-star Master Teague III was a big contributor to their ground attack and will return his downhill production.
Miyan Williams was a name lost in the shuffle of Ohio State's 2020 class that featured 16 ESPN 300 signees, but the three-star is someone to watch in the rotation. While those two are prime candidates to carry the load on the current roster, they're also bringing in two ESPN 300 RBs in their 2021 class, including five-star RB TreVeyon Henderson. Henderson is a big-play back with a rare blend of size, quickness and breakaway speed, and should immediately contend for carries.
Steady up front
Wyatt Davis and Josh Myers are potential early draft entrants, but overall, the offensive line unit should remain strong.
Versatile interior player Harry Miller and OT Nicholas Petit-Frere return and offer a great foundation. Paris Johnson Jr., the No. 2-ranked OT in 2020 cycle, has already seen snaps and could step in and develop into the next top starter. Matthew Jones and Dawand Jones are former four-stars that return with experience, and there are several other young linemen to develop on current roster.
The Buckeyes also just signed two more ESPN 300 big men, including Donovan Jackson, No. 2-ranked OG in nation.
Defense
Depth at defensive line
The front is set to lose some key pieces, led by Jonathon Cooper, but several other key contributors are returning.
A 2019 five-star, Zach Harrison has displayed impressive flashes while in Columbus. Tyreke Smith has made several starts and Javontae Jean-Baptiste is a lengthy edge defender with upside as well.
Ohio State is also bringing in some elite talent in its 2021 class in top-10 DT Mike Hall and DE Jack Sawyer. Sawyer, the top-rated prospect overall in the ESPN 300, took his senior season off to train for next fall and should provide immediate production as pass rusher. The Ohio native is big (6-3, 230), explosive and tenacious, and could provide a disruptive presence on the level of former Buckeyes great Chase Young.
Limited experience at linebacker
The linebacker unit could take the biggest hit, as Ohio State loses at least three of its top tacklers and a steady veteran presence. Teradja Mitchell was highly touted coming out of the 2018 class and can step into a bigger role, as can Dallas Gant, who was an ESPN 300 prospect in that class as well. The Buckeyes are also bringing in the top-rated ILB in 2021 class in Reid Carrico.
Solid secondary
The secondary will be bringing back some core pieces in safety Marcus Hooker and CB Sevyn Banks. Ronnie Hickman, Tyreke Johnson and Josh Proctor are all former ESPN 300 prospects that return with experience and can press for more significant time.
Lathan Ransom and Lejond Cavazos, both 2020 signees, have flashed top-level speed and should step into bigger roles in Year 2. More options will soon be arriving, as the 2021 class includes two top-five CB prospects in Jakailin Johnson and Jordan Hancock.