3 players who could be X-Factors for Alabama against Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl

The long break is almost over as we’re just four days away from seeing Alabama football back in action as they get set to take on the Michigan Wolverines in the ReliaQuest Bowl on New Year’s Eve in Tampa, Florida.

This is a rematch of last season’s Rose Bowl, a heartbreaking overtime defeat for the Crimson Tide that was ultimately the final game of Nick Saban’s legendary coaching career. The coaches on both sidelines are different, and there are plenty of new characters, but there are still plenty of holdovers from last season’s Alabama team that will be amply motivated to beat the Wolverines.

Both teams finished their regular seasons the way they always hope to: with wins in big rivalry games. Alabama defeated Auburn at home 28-14 for its fifth straight Iron Bowl victory. Michigan stunned Ohio State on the road as big underdogs to win their fourth straight in “The Game.”

Both teams will be missing some key players in this one as Michigan has had several opt-outs, none bigger than star DL Mason Graham. Alabama avoided the opt-out bug but lost a few contributors to the Transfer Portal like Justice Haynes and DeVonta Smith, and will have seriously limited depth at WR after losing four players to the Portal and having three others injured.

Non-playoff bowl games tend to be the rise of some unheralded players who get opportunities and thrive, setting themselves up for big years in 2025.

Here’s three players who could be X-Factors for Alabama.

3 players who could be X-Factors for Alabama against Michigan

3. Wilkin Formby

Reports have indicated that star left tackle Kadyn Proctor may miss the ReliaQuest Bowl with a shoulder injury that will require surgery. That hasn’t been confirmed by Kalen DeBoer or anyone at Alabama, and Proctor has practiced since the report came out.

But if Proctor isn’t able to go, Alabama will likely turn to redshirt freshman Wilkin Formby at left tackle. Formby started the season as the team’s right tackle before losing his job after struggling against South Florida in week two.

Elijah Pritchett actually started at left tackle for the Crimson Tide in the season opener against Western Kentucky with Formby at right tackle tackle. Tyler Booker kicked out to left tackle against USF.

Alabama has a few ways it can go, but the most likely scenario would be to start Formby at left tackle so as not to disturb any of the chemistry that has been built elsewhere on the line this season.

Formby is a talented player, but obviously a drop-off from a guy in Proctor who projects as a top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Against a Michigan front seven that is dangerous even without Mason Graham, Formby’s performance will be a big deciding factor in how much success Alabama’s offense has.

2. Zay Mincey

Freshman Zay Mincey came to Alabama as a cornerback but has made the move to safety and is thriving according to defensive coordinator Kane Wommack.

“The guy that I think has really done a nice job and we’ve seen him trend in the right direction all season is Zay Mincey,” Wommack said. “I think you’ll see his role continue to grow within our defense within the bowl game preparation and then beyond that. I’m really excited about him and what he’s doing.”

“To me, the sky’s the limit for him and I’m really excited with what I have seen for him thus far at the safety position.”

With Malachi Moore having surgery and missing the game, Alabama has a hole at safety next to Bray Hubbard. With DeVonta Smith transferring to Notre Dame, the Tide also lost its starting Husky (nickel corner), opening up a couple of opportunities for young players in the secondary.

With the way Wommack has talked about Mincey during bowl practices, don’t be surprised if he gets the first look next to Hubbard against the Wolverines.

1. Jaylen Mbakwe or Rico Scott

The biggest opportunity available for Alabama’s young players will be at WR. With Caleb Odom, Kendrick Law, Emmanuel Henderson, and Kobe Prentice all exiting via the Transfer Portal, and continued injuries to Cole Adams, Jalen Hale, and Bubba Hampton, Alabama is down to just four healthy scholarship receivers.

We all know Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard will play and be focal points, but Alabama will need another receiver or two to step up. The guys who figure to get the first crack at that are Jaylen Mbakwe and Rico Scott.

Mbakwe has spent the year as a reserve cornerback, but he played plenty of snaps at defensive back. Mbakwe flirted with the Transfer Portal and nearly left the Crimson Tide before deciding to stay. Allegedly, a big part of that is that Alabama agreed to give him a look on offense, which if true, you have to figure starts in Tampa with Alabama’s limited depth at receiver.

Mbakwe is one of the best athletes on the team so it’s not a stretch to think in a limited role he could make a significant impact.

Scott is a freshman and saw only garbage-time snaps, but he did haul in a touchdown pass from Austin Mack against Mercer.

Both guys are likely to see snaps with the first-team offense against the Wolverines, and if either can make a big impact, they’ll put themselves in position to fight for playing time in 2025.