Well, that was interesting wasn't it. I love how the emotionally challenged around the Bama Nation cannot hold their water. The early morning, and Tuesday night, announcements did not go Bama's way to say the least. What did fans do? Panic, moan, go postal, convert to Jehovah's Witnesses, you name it, they did it. The same guy that just days before was an awesome player and would do wonders at Alabama, now that guy, who signed with UT mainly, sucks. Funny how that works?
The one thing I really, really hate now is the baseless rumor mill business. Here's the bottom line, unless you have a real factual item showing proof, it is slander more than truth. I sat around and tried for days to say "don't count Ole Miss and Nutt out, they always close" and they did. If they did wrong, it will come out, but message board speculation only makes us look like pussies. Period. Alabama and its fans have a good reason to be happy. They addressed needs in almost every area. I would have liked, and Saban mentioned it too, to have seen them get a 2nd cornerback and another top end WR (keep reading you'll get the logic or attempt at it shortly) but other than that, they did what they needed to do. I've watched Fulmer and Tubberville both implode by trying to take the best of what is around and not take the needs based approach. Saban avoided the trap, not a real concern for anyone, and went after OL and DL guys and hauled in 13 true linemen. Nice. They needed more LB depth, did that. They needed a Jack, got one of those too. So, recruiting ranks aside because those are useless like teats on a bull, this class was a success before the LOI's came in.
The biggest thing I wish would go away is the hat thing. It has kinda played out like the boot scoot boogie and neon shorts and mullets and wife beaters. I digress. I've said it before and will again, the worst thing to happen to college football is the age of recruiting news. It has morphed from a useful tool to a demonizing agent of evil. Everyone is bent on being an "insider" and espousing their knowledge for their own addictive needs. Now, I think the world of Walls and he hits more than he misses, but for every Walls and this rolltide_2007 guy out there, there are 400 Mister Insiders to match. For every Jamie Newberg, who many of you owe an apology, there are vast numbers of people out there plagiarizing info from others and forming it as your "inside source". That's sad really and I wish like hell it would stop. It is getting more and more noticeable when I read BOL or other sites or get the chain mailings from a group I'm in, and then see some twit saying my sources said and it is line for line what another site said. But hey, don't let me stop your party.....
I took a little time to watch films and have seen one or two play before. So here's kinda an overview of what to expect in the near and long term future for the 29 new members:
Disclaimer- this is based on BOL video, what youtube I could find, and school reports as far as eligible or needs work goes. Some that I might think are non-qual may have changed but I haven't read or heard differently. Credit Rivals for weights and heights and hometowns.
Quarterbacks
AJ McCarron 6-4 189 Mobile, AL. AJ is a 4 star QB that did more recruiting in one winter than Joe Kines in 5 winters. Alabama has made the plan that they will take at least 1 QB each year and early on got AJ on board. He comes from a HS that is rich in college profile players. As far as his play goes, he has a lot of upside. The downside to that is that he will need some time to level out and get ready for the pounding that the SEC brings. Physically, he looks a lot like Croyle did coming out of HS. He has a good arm, not a cannon, and is accurate when his mechanics are on. He has a tendency to not set and throw and forgets his fundamentals at times. When he's got his stuff together, he's a very capable pocket QB. He likes to sit in the pocket and check down, not real wild about getting out in space and creating or doing a waggle. With weight and belief in himself/teammates, that could change. His throwing motion is good, and he whips the ball around the way you are taught, and the ball comes out fast so he avoids sacks. The ball rarely drops below the pad and it comes out at the point of release not too early or late. His footwork is sloppy at times and that is coachable, definitely not a major problem, or shouldn't be.
Projection- Redshirt. Not a shocker for most, he needs about 2 years to sit back, observe the speed of the game, get in college shape, work on his feet, and get the playbook down. He won't compete for the starter job this fall, but will be a viable candidate for 2nd string with some dedication in the weight room and practice field.
Grade- B. If the wish was to get the ready to go guy, they missed it just by a mark or two, but if they were after a guy that can be built into a solid QB, they got their guy.
Running Backs
Eddie Lacy 5-11 210, Geismar, LA. Lacy is a 4 star RB that would have been a bigger name in the recruiting wars if his grades were better. I think it is safe to say that if Saban is talking to a player about placing them somewhere, that's a sign he's not going to be on campus this fall. Lacy seems to think he'll qualify, but most insight I read on this tells me it isn't as likely. So, on the assumption that he makes it, here's Lacy in a nutshell. He's a downhill runner, plain and simple. In some aspects of his running game, he reminds me of Glen Coffee or Ahmaad Galloway. He's flashy, and not a guy most likely to bust out a 80 yard TD on any defense at the college level, but he's consistent, runs low, but he runs with the ball loose and free, and most of all is patient with the ball. For example, Darby would race up to the lane he was to run to, and jitter around and force it. The results were 2 yards or less most of the time. Lacy is patient to the lane, and has the vision to cut back or cut outside if the play isn't there and doesn't force the action if it isn't required. Loves to hit, uses his lower body power to move people and punish smaller defenders for tackling him. His lower body power will make his YAC (contact) numbers look impressive because he doesn't go down on contact (see Terry Grant) he plows forward for 2-4 more yards. The only flaws in his game that I can find is that he's not going to just blow away defenders in a foot race and he gets sloppy with his hand transitions while running. He's listed with 4.4/4o speed, but he lacks that extra burst that Shaun Alexander and Bobby Humphrey type players had. I think he's well suited to go to a prep school and work on his track skills and get a year or two space from Richardson and Ingram so that he can be more productive in the long run.
Projection- Prep School. Haven't read anything outside of Eddie's hopes that tell me he's going to be close. I would like to see him on campus though.
Trent Richardson 5-11 210, Pensacola, FL. You would get a kick out of watching me watch this guy play. The transcript is pretty easy reading. "Damn....daaaamn, wow, damn". That's about it. This guy has that "it" that the Alexanders and Humphreys and Jacksons and Walkers have. In some of the videos and games I've seen him in, he is all over the field, and you can find him fast. He's the guy with the ball that looks like a bull on parade out there. It's elbows and assholes time when he touches the ball. He's versatile and can be put out in space in formation to catch a pass and get 1 on 1 with some poor corner or SS that will have to face his stiff arm. He has that McFadden stiff arm that just humiliates and stings defenders. Does a great job of getting low and making his tackle spot small. Uses his hips and shoulders to hit a small crease and turn into the open field. He's one of the more fluid runners I've seen in recent years. He loves to hit, sometimes too much. Has okay hands, but isn't a soft handed back. He gets better as the game wears on. Loves to get as many touches as he can, and coaches will love that. He's fast and has the 2nd level gear that Lacy doesn't show, but sometimes gets caught up in the whip fest he likes to put on. Coaches can work with him on that and the level of competition will help with that. His vision is that signature "it" factor. Sees the play and reacts quickly to the defense and seems to consistently be able to avoid the schemes.
Projection- Contributor/Starter. If Coffee stayed, probably just contributor. If Upchurch comes back healthy, he could be a contributor in the committee like the 3 were last year. However, this guy has the tools to be what Jones was last year to the offense.
Mike Marrow 6-2 240, Toledo, OH. Marrow is a lot like Chris Jordan was last year. He could play on either side of the ball, but he lists with everyone as a FB, so I lump him here with reservation. His future position will be dictated more on how the linebacker depth and talent stacks up in the summer than his desire to play at one spot or another. The fullback position has started to decline in the program and in the NFL, so I add that to why I don't see him on offense long. They seem more content to let a TE go in motion to lead block than using the FB much. As a runner, he's a pinball. He's not fancy and not flashy, but he's a true north south running back with serious leg drive. The few shots of him blocking that I could find, he likes to stick players, but you can tell he's not practiced it all that much or hasn't been taught how to use his body and power to move players in space. In the 3-4, he'd be a Will or Mike more than likely. I didn't see any plays that would have him in that situation, what I did see was OLB. He has good work ethic on defense, and shows a lot of IQ at LB. Knows how to use angles, and his size and power to get inside the tackle/TE. Has a good burst off the snap, and follows the play well. Doesn't get twisted around or start out of the stance wrong.
Projection- Redshirt. Depth at running back and linebacker will give him a year or two to learn his destined position and that is good for him and the team. He has a good idea of what he can do as a player and with a good mentor he could be a real steal at linebacker.
Position Grade- A+. Too much talent to get anything less.
Wide Receiver
Kenny Bell 6-1 160, Rayville, LA. I'll be honest, I haven't seen as much on him because I quite honestly didn't think he'd switch commitments. He's a rare find though, there aren't many LA boys that will leave state when LSU offers. He's a 4 star because he's legitimately fast. From what I could see and read, he's your typical vertical WR, great in space, good with the ball, as good as down once contact is made, if made. He will go over the middle, but is at his best outside one on one.
Projection- Probable contributor. When I get more time to watch him, I might change my mind on him, but I could see a RS too to bulk up.
Michael Bowman 6-4 206, Rossville, GA. As some have read, I've seen Bowman play since he started high school. I can tell you that if you are basing it solely on video, you aren't getting a fair assessment. It makes one of the mods mad, but it is true. Most of the video is against the Sister Mary's schools of the area. That doesn't mean he is not a good player, just not quite the player some have theorized him to be. His biggest assets are his long arms and physical nature. He is a possession WR. Plays a lot like Nikita Stover. Can catch one and make a guy miss and then turn it into a bigger play, but will not just out run coverages. He's a guy that is good over the middle and will take a lick and keep going. The only thing he doesn't like is to be doubled and taken out of the game. Some of the area coaches have said they noticed him getting out of the game mentally and were able to neutralize him quickly. That probably won't be an issue at Alabama though. He has great hands and will get to a ball if it is humanly in range. Loves to create separation with his hands and elbows, and he runs good routes. The only asterisk there is that he doesn't run a lot of routes against the competition he plays, they are pretty much verts and the basic HS route running. He has never ran a lot of sloppy routes since going varsity. Last update I had, he still had grade issues. Will need some time to grow and adapt to better competition.
Projection- Prep School. If he qualifies, he probably will get a shot, but would be well served to redshirt and learn a little more. When he hits campus, would be an ideal slot guy in a 4 man set.
Kendall Kelly 6-4 210, Gasden, AL. Kelly is kinda hard to read at times. Some love him, some are not as wild about him. I can see both at times. He's a guy that I could see outgrowing the WR spot and becoming a LB. He is very raw and has gotten by on pure athleticism but lacks a lot of understanding about what he's doing at times. He can make a catch but doesn't know or see how to extend the play sometimes. Has plenty of speed to separate on the fly and good hands. Likes contact and can catch in stride, not that easy for some, but it is all him and not a lot of coaching. He's not a possession guy, but he isn't the vertical threat at the college level either. As is, reminds me of several on campus right now. Overall, he has a ton of upside to him with time and coaching.
Prediction- Contributor. Lots of factors going into this, one is that if Bowman doesn't qualify, they are 1 short. Two, the on field talent this spring is uninspiring to a degree and he can fill a gap possibly. Third, he's just a big target that a new QB could get comfortable with outside of Julio.
Kevin Norwood 6-3 180, D'Iberville, MS. Norwood is probably my favorite of the bunch. He isn't high on the board because he isn't ultra flashy and he doesn't rack up sick numbers like some others do, but he's got a lot of skill. He gets the position best out of the ones I've watched. Is deceptively fast, doesn't look fast until you look at the time lapse and he books it. Has a good mix of possession with a deep threat capacity. His long arms and size make him an easy target for a QB who isn't the most accurate. Can snag passes that most can't. He's really smooth with the ball in his hands. Looks almost like a running back at times the way he turns and shifts. The biggest knock on him is that he can be taken out by a more physical player. Patrick Patterson owned him in the playoffs, but Patterson would own many if he played CB as he will as a WR at Ole Miss.
Prediction- Contributor. I see nothing in his game that says he can't play, but he and Kelly both could sit out if the existing players step up.
Grade- B-. This group kinda feels like some of those familiar classes of the past where you want more than what is there. With Randle, Bumphis, Patterson, and Teague on the board but not on campus, the staff got the best of the rest but definitely missed the big target.
Offensive Line
James Carpenter 6-5 305 Hephzibah, GA . Carpenter is a JUCO early signee. He will come in with a lot of expectations on him. Coffeyville CC has been a good root to tap for Bama in the past and the hope is the luck will continue. When you see him, he's not hard to find. Huge player who could play guard or tackle in the SEC. He is not a center by trade. Originally signed with Iowa State, didn't qualify and went JUCO. His coach speaks highly of him, and should. Carpenter is a fit 305, doesn't look that heavy. His feet move well in pass protection, uses his hands to get inside defender and drive them off. Would be better at RT than LT because the speed requirement is different, but could play it if needed. His body and long wingspan make him a hard target to get around on the rush. He can't be bull rushed either. Weight room numbers could stand to improve (355 bench, 455 squat). Has 3 years to play 2.
Prediction- Possible starter. With 3 open spots, a JUCO is almost certain to get a long look at one spot or another. Would probably be better off inside at RG but should compete for LT or RT if allowed.
DJ Fluker 6-7 325 Foley AL. I don't know what is more scary, the fact he's the best lineman coming out of HS, or that he's still raw and the best at it. He's not real experienced at LT, and at times it shows, but he's so naturally gifted and athletic for his size, that he overcomes that. If LT doesn't work, he'd make us all forget Terrance Cody if moved to NT. Has real long arms and is fast for his size. Looks like he could add more muscle mass and not lose a lot of speed. His technique is surprisingly good for his experience level, but in the all star game, some of the speed ends got on him and his fundamentals got lost in the action. Has a lot of characteristics of Andre Smith, but hasn't got the understanding of the job like Smith did 4 years ago. If he were to pull or be used in a counter type play, he would be devastating in space. He can easily take out 2 or more defenders at times. The only area that he will struggle until coached through it is when smaller, faster, and equally strong guys (Q Groves types) get in on him. He sometimes struggles to get his hands and feet in position to take them on in time and can lose leverage even though he has the size and weight advantage.
Prediction- Starter or Redshirt. Feast or famine, I know, but really if Tyler Love or Carpenter can legitimately start at LT, a year of teaching would be good for him. I don't know if that will happen once he gets on campus because he might be the best lineman on campus from day one. Keep expectations realistic if he starts, the SEC defenses will throw the sink at him and it will take time for him to understand what is happening in some cases. Andre Smith went through the same thing.
Darius McKeller 6-6 280, Jonesboro GA. His dad was a good one (Keith McKeller, Buffalo Bills TE in the glory days) and Darius is gifted as well. However, when I watch him, it screams project. He will need to bulk up more and work on his fundamentals some. Looks good as a pass blocker, but has happy feet when he knows a good rusher is coming at him. I know it sounds like a broken record, but he has a big wingspan too. When he is focused, he gets under the defender and drives him well, but needs more lower body strength at the next level.
Projection- Redshirt. He needs a little time to work up to the college game, but has a lot of potential and family lineage to make me think he could be a player down the road. He might, if his parents were willing, grayshirt and delay his start to give him some time to work on his craft and bulk up.
Anthony Steen 6-4 297 Clarkesdale, MS. I keep reading this guy is a "stud". He's definitely strong and has a good motor, but I wouldn't jump out on a limb with "stud". He's a guy that you want in the locker room and teammates feed off of and he'll give you a blue collar effort. The flip side is that he's not real polished or stands out when he plays. He's a natural guard on offense and could be an end or NT on defense. Is kinda fun to watch a big guy kick like he does, but I don't think Saban could stand it long. He fits the mold of how Bama likes their linemen to play. He's always engaging the defender and not letting them get on him. He moves well for his size and can be a good pulling guard on the run. Very raw and hasn't been coached to the level he needs to be, but part of that seems to be because he has to split duty. Small school player syndrome may be in effect. Hard to say without knowing who the teams are on video, but they are all private school teams and that gets a Schrute Buck demerit there. For some reason, grades being an issue keeps sticking out with him in my mind.
Prediction- Redshirt/Prep School. If I'm confusing him with one, I appolgize upfront, but he needs a year or two, maybe three to understand how to effectively play lineman. If he can get the understanding to match the motor and power, he'll be a "stud" then. That looks on down the road to me.
Chance Warmack 6-2 329, Atlanta GA. Early signee and projects at guard for the Tide. Big guy and he moves well for his weight. If his bench max is 315, he'll need some serious weight room time. A guy his size should be well ahead of that, 315 means he can't do a pushup. Getting on campus early will benefit him and give him some extra teaching time. When he plays, he plays with his hands more than his body. Likes to engage, then drive, and his size and mass makes him nearly dominate when that happens. His biggest coaching need is in footwork and how to move in line and not stride and get out of center so much. I could see him getting the business from a veteran DT if he strode left or right and the tackle got inside him. He likes the contact and likes to be physical and his motor runs every play from the videos provided. It all just needs to be pulled together and focused.
Projection- Redshirt. If the spring is real productive, he could get some snap time like Boswell did last year, but he needs some weight room and coaching time.
Kellen Williams 6-3 295 Snellville, GA. I hear rumblings that this is one of those guys that they liked for a while, but after they got Carpenter and Fluker and thought they were in on Massie, their like level dropped. He's a project plain and simple. That's not a knock on him, but he's not ready and won't be for 2 or 3 years. He could play center and would be better inside if he can't get his footwork better. Gets way off the trail sometimes and gets beaten back when he overcompensates. Sometimes he gets his hands inside the defender, others he misses the mark and gets off centered quickly. He is very athletic to be 300 lbs and plays well at that weight, so I don't know that he needs bulking up. Just needs a lot of work on fundamentals, has the typical high school problem of getting by on raw ability thing.
Prediction- Redshirt. I probably will make you love him to spite me because I'm not that wild about him yet.
Position Grade- A. Any class that features 2 start on arrival players earns an A. The only lineman they missed on was Massie, so the need for Warmack and/or one of the others to step up is there.
Defensive line
Brandon Moore 6-4 313 Montgomery AL. I saw a lot of questioning about him projecting at End to start out. To make it simple, he'll play inside the tackle in the 3-4 next to the jack. That end is required/desired to be a little bigger and more like DT. If Moore can get his arms around that role, he will be a very special player in his 4 years here. He is big and very strong and uses his hands well on both sides of the line. Doesn't really explode off the line, but at end he will be more about engaging and opening lanes for the Jack and other blitz/rush assignments. He gets a little high sometimes, but that's coachable. I don't think he's been coached as much as a defender and his rush moves are stiff but again, he's going to just have to know how to power through and disrupt like Cody does. If he comes to play, he could be in the rotation at end for run situations in August. He has a mean streak when he plays, and I like that A LOT.
Prediction- Contributor. The lack of quality depth is glaring on DL, and a guy like Moore could get in quickly and possibly win the job in time if Deaderick and Davis/Washington don't perform as they should. He's a guy that could be big in a short amount of time.
William Ming 6-4 265 Athens AL. Is it sad that when I first saw this guy, I expected something different? Probably so, but I'll do laps later. He and Steen are kinda alike in that they work hard each play. I can see why folks rumor him to play TE. He's got a lot of burst off the snap for a guy as big as he is. He lacks true power for an end, but is more of a technical player than a mauler. He understands the position and looks well coached as an end. If he could gain some speed, like say get down to a 4.7/40 he might look at Jack, but he may outgrow it as well. What I really like to see from him is how smart he plays. He doesn't rush into the OL every down and he reads the line shifts well and gets his hands in the right place to create separation and get in to disrupt the play. One play he just dismembers an OL by punching his arm and shoulder out of the way and just shoots past. He's beyond the lineman so fast the play breaks down in less than 5 seconds. Nice. Probably the best signee as far as understanding the game goes.
Projection- Possible contributor/Redshirt. If he reports and is motoring to go, I could see him getting some snaps. A part of me would like to see him at TE and moving Michael Williams back to defense. Either way, Bama's End/Jack situation is improving in 09 or 10. Will redshirt if he physically is not ready for SEC competition, but he's mentally and technically ready now.
Anthony Orr 6-4 260 Harvest AL. I saw Orr at the MSU game, and he's not 6-4, more like 6-1 or 2. I could see him playing Jack or TE at the next level. I don't know that he ever played TE though, didn't see it if he did. He lacks a lot of fundamentals and is another guy who is getting by on his athletic nature over position skill. Shoots up from the snap instead of going forward into the line and then up. The way he plays, he'll get pancaked well over the average like that. He is a guy who needs a couple years experience and coaching to work up to the next level.
Projection- Redshirt. Just too raw and not coached well enough to be on the field yet.
Ed Stinson 6-4 227 Homestead, FL. The first thing that jumps out about him is that he's extremely fast off the ball and his basketball background shows when he plays. His instincts and athleticism shine on every video. To play Jack, he'll have to bulk up some, very thin frame but looks like he could carry the weight and not lose much speed. He thrives on a tackle over compensating to the edge and has the footwork and skill to cut back inside and make the tackle pay. (see some of the linemen comments and that is what they have to work on) He loves to use the swim move to get out of the blocker's position. When he tries to bull rush, he gets too high, will need a coach to show him how to properly bull rush from the 3 point. Great pass rusher, okay at run coverage. Moves to the ball but gets tangled in the linemen sometimes and is out of the play at that point. Coaches will have to break him from getting so high up, he gets excited to hit and exposes his number to blockers, and show him how to get low and surge. Definately a guy that will work in the 3-4 in time.
Prediction- Contributor. With Upshaw moving on from special teams to starter/contributor, I see Stinson moving on to his spot on the special teams until he gets a better feel for college football. He may be the best Jack signee since Saban arrived.
Chris Bonds 6-4 262 Columbia, SC. Here's the scoop on why he's a 3 star, it isn't how he plays, it is the fact he doesn't play too much because he's hurt. After watching his videos, I can see how he gets hurt. He gets amped up to play and probably can't keep his composure and that results in a pull or tear here there and yonder. Would be a rush end in the mold of Bobby Greenwood if he got healthy, but that's a big IF. Has a great motor, engages the linemen and loves to hit. Has good hand work and keeps linemen off him and is in great shape, but again, the videos are somewhat dated. The Army AA game, he came away from it with a lot of ????? about how much rust he had and some scouts started to mumble that he had lost the skills some. Hard to say when he's being used at DT instead of DE, which is where I would start him out at. I think if he is put at DT, he is only effective in a nickel or dime formation because against the run, he'd give up too much size as is.
Prediction- Redshirt. The 2 years of nagging injuries need addressing with weight room and practice reps and regain confidence in himself. Once he gets in shape, I can see him being a real player in the future. Throwing him out there and having him wonder if the knee is going to go bad at any second is not helping either side.
Quinton Dial 6-5 308 Pinson, AL. Reminds me a lot of Josh Chapman in high school. He's a pure run blocking NT as you will find. He isn't the space taker that a Cody is, but he is very disruptive off the ball and seems to have a lot of drive power when he engages a guard or center and pushes them back without a lot of effort on his part. Has Cody's hand speed and work, uses them to keep linemen from grabbing him in the pads and maneuvering him. Has descent pass rush capacities, definately disruptive, but won't pile up sacks at the next level. Like most young players, he gets excited a lot and when he does the pad level shoots up with the enthusiasm. When that happens, his capacity to disrupt lessens and linemen get him off the ball more. His tackling is good when he's in control, but when he gets his pads up, his tackling becomes more drag down and less emposing. Really, I am surprised he isn't a 5 star. Most of the "flaws" that you see in him are typical high school player issues and not major by any means.
Prediction- Contributor. He might redshirt due to depth upfront but it won't be because he's not ready for the next level. I really think he will be a starter by the time he's a Soph.
Darrington Sentimore 6-3 265 Destrehan, LA. Where to begin? There is Sentimore the player and then there is the concerns off field that some have mentioned. The player has a good nose for the ball, is always on the play, and has the ability to grow into a DT at around 300 lbs, looks a lot like Zo Washington in action, may be the number. Then you have to wonder, will he make grades or even be around 4 years from now? His videos show a lot of potential, but he's raw as all get out. Very sloppy on his tackles at times, he doesn't wrap up he wants to highlight them so some of you will love him like you love Prince Hall, but other times he is on top of them quickly. He has a unique run style and needs to cut out some of the theatrics with it, it is slowing him down some. He's another that has gotten by on his gifts and needs someone to show him how to put it together. Is fast for a 260+ guy and has good push off the snap. Definately knows how to get inside the lineman and disrupt. He just needs a lot of polishing to his game if he wants to succeed in the SEC.
Prediction- Prep School. I know he thinks he'll make it, but until he makes it, he hasn't made it. I think a year away from home would be good anyways. This guy bothers me more than Luther Davis did.
Grade- B+. Here's the thing that I see when you combine it as a whole, you have Dial and Moore who are top end, some that are projects, and some that may not play or play at DL. That may work out and may have the staff searching for more next year or so.
Linebackers
Jonathan Atchison 6-3 216 Atlanta, GA. If he is 216, I'd be shocked. Looks more like 190-200 in pads. Has good first step, and can play end or OLB, but will play Sam at Alabama. He is a 3 star due to his lack of college size numbers, his football skill and ability to be around the ball is better than a 3 star ranking would say. His pass coverage is ok, needs to work on his motion when he turns to go down field some, gets locked at the hips and loses a step to the back in motion. When he pass rushes, he has buck fever and shoots up in his stance first then goes forward, that's coachable, but he needs to use that speed first and then get higher in his pursuit, college linemen are faster than what he saw in Atlanta. When he was committed to AU, he was a perfect fit for them to contribute right away, at Bama he can fit in but it will be down the line as he's gotta get up in weight and mass muscle to play in the 3-4, otherwise he's about like Alex Watkins.
Prediction- Redshirt. I think he's got plenty of upside to him and I'd like to see him get into a better physical shape to play at Bama because he understands his role as a blitzer and coverage back.
Nico Johnson 6-3 226 Andalusia, AL. Johnson is a nice fit at MLB for the Tide. He's not too tall and built well enough to play right away if needed. He's built more like Rolando was than Dont'a was coming out of high school. Has top end speed for a MLB, can cover the entire field and is very aware of how to use angles to cut the pursuit of faster running backs. I noticed in the Army game that he really hawks to the ball and caught a much faster running back in the backfield because he gets the angles and how to start in position (exact opposite of how Prince Hall does it). While he could play Mike or Will, he could play Sam if needed. He has that capacity to play around the horn. Has great footwork and is hard for OL to center up and block, he seems to keep them off him with his long arms a lot. He probably is the best pure pass rushing linebacker that Bama has had in quite a while, he really gets after the QB well and is very disruptive and sticks to the pursuit even when he won't get to the QB. Scouts at the Army camp say he needs to learn to play all out every down, but that's a high school flaw more than a college concern.
Prediction- Contributor. Here's the thing, if Dont'a didn't play as well as he did, Nico would be there starting perhaps, but with Hightower still playing the majority of snaps inside, Nico will get some breather minutes and special teams minutes to get a feel for the game speed at the next level. I don't see him being much of a dropoff if either McClain or Hightower get hurt. If Harris or Reamer drop off in production, he's a solid option there too.
Tana Patrick 6-3 215 Stevenson, AL. Patrick is a very deceptive player. He looks too big to play linebacker but his speed makes him destined to start there. Played TE and LB in high school, but will start at Will or Sam at Alabama. He definately could bulk up to be 250 and play Jack down the road, his frame is well more than adequate to do that, really looks bigger than 215 when I've seen him. If you compare him to Nico Johnson, he is probably more athletic in the way he plays, but not as groomed as Johnson is. He commands the field though when he's playing and is a great run stopper in the middle. Biggest flaw in his game is his lateral movement. He's no where near as fluid from sideline to sideline as Johnson is, but is better north and south than Johnson. How quickly he bulks and how much bulk he adds will change his position in time. I think he'll play outside or hand down eventually because he looks like he'll bulk up to outgrow OLB or ILB.
Prediction- Contributor/Redshirt. He isn't quite as groomed and ready to go as Johnson, but he could play some blowout minutes and special teams, but if the staff has plans to "Jack" him, he may sit out and workout. He's got a lot of upside and a lot of natural skill, he just has to be applied right.
Petey Smith 6-0 230 Seffner, FL. Petey followed Coach Brooks from Auburn (potentially) to Alabama, but he is a project with a lot of upside. The thing that is hard to gauge him accurately is his DL is horrible. Looked 10 times better in the UA game. His stock rose with some services after that game (ESPN). Physically, if he keeps his weight down, he's ready to play now. He's mentally not as far a long as Johnson or Patrick and takes the worst angles of the 3, but coaching can fix that. He does a great job in taking on lead blockers and eliminating them. He has a real good first move to the ball and gets in the gap fast and is very disruptive when he does that. However, if a lineman engages him, he's not capable of getting free. He will need some tutoring on that because he doesn't get his hands in position to keep the OL off him or drive him back to the play. The fella loves to hit and running backs will hate him over time because he loves to punish, sometimes too much.
Prediction- Redshirt. Has a great motor and loves to play, you see it on every video and the UA game, he's all about it and he has all the raw skill to be a great ILB, but he needs coaching and some smoothing on the rough edges while those ahead of him get some time between him. If Nico and Tana don't sign with Bama, he probably plays. One note, if he is undisciplined in the weight room, nice way of saying out of shape, he may never see the field with the talent levels coming in. Hearing way too many stories about him being up in the 260 range and no he can't play Jack.
Position Grade- A. They filled all the depth needs and addressed all 4 positions this year if you count Stinson.
Defensive Back
Dre Kirkpatrick 6-2 180 Gadsden, AL. Dre is the highest rated player Bama signed in some services and others he was up there with Fluker and Richardson. He is the last of a dying breed of shut down corners. He is fast, physical, instinctive, and gets into the head of WR's at will. When you watch him on video, he looks effortless in his back pedal to stride. There are no flaws in his game mentally or physically. He gets beat because the pass is perfect, not because he bites or gets faked out. He actually can play zone coverage which is rare coming out of HS. He isn't afraid to tackle and for a corner tackles well. He could play FS in college due to his tackle skills. I am dead serious, I cannot see any major work that needs to be done, I've hunted it and watched all star games trying to find something, he isn't perfect, but coming out of high school, he's well ahead of the curve. The only thing remote is if he moved to FS, he'd need to develop his body more, but I don't think they will move him there unless 2 or 3 corners are just plain better than him.
Prediction- Contributor/Starter. He's ready to go, and Kareem Jackson and the FS battles will have his presence felt early. He's tall, fast, and aggressive. Something Bama corners haven't had a lot of combined in a while.
Rod Woodson 5-11 200 Olive Branch MS. Woodson is a fan favorite because he loves to lay wood in the flat. Out of all the guys that Bama signed this year, he has the best motor of the group. His intensity is unmatched, but that also causes problems at times. He tends to overpursue when he gets worked up. Very strong, benches 315 squats 400, that's weightroom warrior there. Will be a favorite on special teams for years to come because he has no fear flying into bigger players. Like all big hitting linebackers/safeties, he sometimes forgets to wrap up, and nothing pisses Saban off more than that. Has a good understanding of his position and uses the field to his advantage, takes great angles to the ball, and never gets offline to a play. When he pursues, he sometimes overpursues or doesn't wrap up, will have to get consistent with that in college. Could play "Star" corner if had to but would be used for more short field situations in that role, he is not a player you want man up on a WR on longer routes. Needs to get serious in the qualifying area.
Prediction- Prep School/Redshirt. As a football player goes, he's great and has huge potential as a player, but I hear a lot of conflicting reports as his academics goes. Some say he's far off and others say it is in range, so we'll see. I think he probably redshirts because they have so many safeties ahead of him. One thing to watch is how much weight and bulking up he does, he may be a Mark Anderson and go from SS to LB/DE in time and is a true weight room player.
Position Grade- B+. They needed a 2nd cornerback to add to the mix and if Woodson doesn't make it, that will be 1 DB per year the last 2 years. Dre Kirkpatrick is NCAA ready today, but they really, really, needed more depth to help cull out the players they've had to work with.
Overall class rank- A. Addressed OL and DL depth needs, LB depth needs, missed on the WR/CB depth and added the best RB class since the late 80s. There are several guys who can contribute in the fall and that will help Saban's "Process" along greatly, but this class will not be asked to contribute in the same way last year's was.
