The first name off the board for Alabama in April’s NFL draft could be guard Tyler Booker, and there is no mistaking the departure of the second-team All-American after three seasons will leave a hole along the offensive line.
Texas A&M transfer Kam Dewberry, a senior, and five-star freshman Michael Carroll are often the names speculated to fill the role. But what about Geno VanDeMark?
One of his teammates does not believe VanDeMark, a fifth-year senior, is getting enough recognition entering his second season at Alabama.
“He’s an awesome kid,” Ouzts said Thursday at the NFL combine, via AL.com. “Hard worker. He hasn’t really gotten that spotlight on the field yet at guard. But he’s built for the job and is very physical, and he’ll be a guy that everybody is looking for this next year.”
VanDeMark — a New Jersey native — played his first three seasons at Michigan State before transferring last year to Alabama. He reunited with his former Spartans offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic, now with the Tide, and started against USF in September when injuries forced Booker to left tackle. VanDeMark saw extensive action at right guard through the remainder of the season, often giving banged-up Jaeden Roberts a rest for multiple series in games.
VanDeMark was not the only returning Alabama player earning a shoutout at the NFL combine this week.
Safety Keon Sabb, a fourth-year transfer from Michigan last year, also earned high praise from graduating tight end CJ Dippre. The graduating tight end faced Sabb at Michigan while playing for Alabama in 2023 before the two became teammates last season.
“I think Keon is one of the best defensive players I’ve ever played in college football,” Dippre said Thursday, via Alabama Football Report. “He does it really well. That’s obviously in the pass game. He’s a really good player, and he’s a good person.”
Wide receiver Jaylen Mbakwe, who moved from cornerback before the ReliaQuest Bowl in December, also earned a mention.
“I just like the way he approached everything when I was there, man,” former Tide outside linebacker Que Robinson said Wednesday, via AL.com. “Approached it like a pro. Obviously, he didn’t see a lot of the field, but when he was on the field he made the best of his opportunities. I’ll be looking forward to him making some more plays.”
Offensively, wide receiver Germie Bernard — a senior in 2025 who has also played for Michigan State and Washington — was the under-the-radar player Dippre picked to highlight.
“Really good player,” Dippre said of Bernard. “He knows how to run his routes. Takes business serious. Gets on the young guys. Wants what’s best for the team.”
With Ouzts and Dippre both having exhausted their eligibility, the Tide’s tight end group will be led by two new players this season. The expected starter is fifth-year senior Josh Cuevas, who transferred from Washington last year, and Danny Lewis Jr., who briefly entered the transfer portal this offseason before withdrawing.
“You’ll see Josh Cuevas [at the combine] next year,” Ouzts said. “Very smart kid. Hard worker. Very talented. You’ll see him here for sure.”
Said Dippre of Lewis: “Danny is a very good all-around tight end. I think he will be super good. Just picking up stuff. I try to give him as much advice. When I first got there, he was kind of quiet. He’s really come out of his shell. So I think it’s just getting comfortable with everything. Coach [Bryan] Ellis, I know he’ll get them right and I think they’ll have a great room this season.”
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