The Alabama Crimson Tide will kick off the 2024 season on Saturday, August 31st against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. The Crimson Tide open up as a 31-point favorite over the Hilltoppers. With an Alabama squad that features a lot of new players and coaches, it will be an interesting matchup to say the least.
Last season, Western Kentucky finished the season with an 8-5 record. The good news for the Crimson Tide’s defense is that they will not have to find a way to neutralize quarterback Austin Reed and wide receiver Malachi Corley. Both Reed and Corley departed for the NFl during the offseason. However, Tyson Helton and the Hilltoppers could present some challenges for Alabama in Week 1.
Roll Tide Wire lists five Western Kentucky players that Alabama fans should know heading into the Crimson Tide’s Week 1 matchup.
Easton Messer, Wide Receiver
2023 Stats: 42 REC / 484 Yds / 4 TDs
It will take some time for Western Kentucky to find a replacement for former wideout Malachi Corley. With that said, someone will have to step up early on in his absence. That could be redshirt sophomore Easton Messer. The Kentucky native finished third on the team last season in receptions (42), receiving yards (484), and receiving touchdowns (4). He will be a key weapon for incoming transfer quarterback TJ Finley, especially in a difficult Week 1 matchup against Alabama.
TJ Finley, Quarterback
2023 Stats: 279 CMP / 414 ATT, 67.4 CMP%, 3,934 PaYds, 24 PaTDs, 8 INTs
One player that is familiar with facing Alabama is Western Kentucky starting quarterback TJ Finley. The former four-star recruit signed with the LSU Tigers coming out of high school. He played against Alabama as a true freshman in Baton Rouge. Then, he played against Alabama when he transferred to the Auburn Tigers. Both games resulted in a loss for Finley.
Following stops at LSU and Auburn, Finley transferred to Texas State. He had a strong season in San Marcos. The Louisiana native passed for 3,439 yards, 24 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions. Interestingly enough, Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide recruited Finley after he decided to transfer from LSU. Finley has improved over the course of his college career and could present some problems for the Crimson Tide defense.
Koy Moore, Wide Receiver
2023 Stats: 3 REC / 24 Yds
Several weeks ago, Western Kentucky added a new weapon to its offense by bringing in Auburn Tigers transfer Koy Moore. Like Finley, Moore also began his college career with the LSU Tigers. He spent two seasons in Baton Rouge where he served primarily as a backup wide receiver. Following the conclusion of his sophomore season, Moore transferred to Auburn.
In two seasons at Auburn, he reeled in 23 receptions for 238 yards and one touchdown. Thus far, Moore has not lived up to the hype. Moore will look to kickstart his fifth year in college football with a strong showing against the Crimson Tide on Saturday.
Terreance Ellis, Linebacker
2023 Stats: 73 TACK / 3 SKS / 2 FF / 2 FR / 1 INT
One of the top linebackers in the SWAC in 2023 was Alcorn State’s Terreance Edwards. Now, Edwards will be suiting up for the Hilltoppers in 2024. He will coexist with redshirt senior linebacker Kylan Guidry to form one of the top linebacker duos in college football. The Texas native is a tackling machine and will have a good opportunity to showcase that against the Crimson Tide.
Kylan Guidry, Linebacker
2023 Stats: 54 TACK / 3 SKS / 1 FR
Western Kentucky’s leading tackler from a season ago was linebacker Kylan Guidry. The Louisiana native will be returning to Bowling Green for his senior season. As I mentioned previously, he will form one of the top linebacker duos alongside incoming transfer Terreance Edwards. The two should be the heart and soul of the Hilltoppers defense. Alabama will need to locate and identify both players early on to ensure a high level of success. Otherwise, Guidry and Edwards could make things difficult for the Crimson Tide offense.
This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Who are 5 Western Kentucky players to know for Alabama’s Week 1 matchup?
