re: 2018-19 Roster/Depth Chart breakdowns and updates

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Cornerback

CB -- Trevon Diggs, Patrick Surtain Jr., Jalyn Armour-Davis

CB -- Jared Mayden, Saivion Smith, Nigel Knott,

STAR -- Shyheim Carter, Josh Jobe, Eddie Smith

Reasoning: The secondary was even more difficult to project because of the incoming players’ positions out of high school. All five defensive backs the Tide signed were cornerbacks, so for now they will remain there until we see a few spring practice sessions.

We do know Saivion Smith has already practiced with the corners and Surtain was the nation’s No. 1 cornerback prospect in 2018. That duo will challenge the likes of Carter, Diggs and Mayden this offseason for one of the three spots in UA’s nickel package.

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Do we have any concerns about Thompsons legal trouble?

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Contrary to what's presented in court records, there isn't any video that shows Alabama safety Deionte Thompson kicking alleged victim Noah Frillou during that large spring break fight in Crystal Beach, Texas.

Thompson's lawyer, Sean Villery-Samuel, shared that with AL.com Wednesday following a review of recently received case documents.

Thompson, who was arrested in April and recently indicted on one count of felony aggravated assault, is accused of kicking Frillou in the head while Frillou was on the ground during that spring break brawl.

However, Thompson has maintained with his legal team and Alabama officials that he wasn't involved in the fight and didn't attack Frillou, who was badly injured during the fight.

"Before we made an official comment on his behalf, we wanted to gather all available information," Villery-Samuel said in a press release Wednesday night. "From the outset, Deionte Thompson has indicated that he was not apart of the assault of Noah Frillou and maintains that position even after this indictment. It is important for the community to remember that an indictment is simply an accusation of wrongdoing based upon the lowest legal burden in our criminal justice system and is not an indication of one's actual guilt.

"While the incident that occurred on March 18, 2017 was unfortunate, there are some things that must be made clear. Deionte Thompson was not involved in the assault of Noah Frillou, as many witnesses to the incident have indicated, and there is no video evidence demonstrating anything to the contrary."

Thompson was originally implicated through that video, which a female witness shared with police officers. According to court records, the video shows two individuals kicking Frillou in the head while he was on the ground. The female witness told officers that one of the individuals was wearing a white Alabama hat, which officers knew Thompson was wearing based on other videos from that day. But, according to Villery-Samuel, there isn't any video that shows Thompson attacking Frillou or even taking part in the fight.

"Based on the information we've gathered, the incident was initiated not by Deionte Thompson or the people he was with but by the mob of people that Noah Frillou was believed to be amongst," Villery-Samuel said in the release. "Racial slurs were used and drinks were thrown at the people that were with Deionte Thompson. A fight ensued between the mob of people believed to be with Noah Frillou and some of the individuals with Deionte Thompson.

"After the fight, Deionte Thompson and the individuals with him spoke to police officers that responded to the scene and they were released without any arrest being made. Weeks later, he learned of the warrant for the now indicted offense of aggravated assault. Deionte Thompson maintains his innocence and looks forward to having his day in court so that he can clear his name."

Thompson is a backup safety and a contributor on special teams. The Texas native has posted 12 tackles and was one of Alabama's special teams players of the week after the Tide's win over Tennessee Oct. 21.

"We are continuing to follow the progress of the legal proceedings in this matter," Tide coach Nick Saban said in a statement on Monday. "We are not going to make any judgments until that process has been completed."

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Quarterback

Starter -- Tua Tagovailoa / Jalen Hurts 
Reserves -- Mac Jones

Reasoning: Alabama did not sign a quarterback in the 2018 recruiting cycle, but Nick Saban did say the Tide will “probably have a quarterback join us in some kind of way” this offseason -- “a more experienced” signal caller. Regardless, the battle everyone will be watching will be for the starting job, between Tagovailoa and Hurts. And yes, a “/” still separates the two.

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Wide receiver

WR-X -- Henry Ruggs, Derek Kief, Xavier Williams

WR-Z -- DeVonta Smith, Tyrell Shavers, Chadarius Townsend

WR-H -- Jerry Jeudy, Xavian Marks, Jaylen Waddle, Slade Bolden

Reasoning: The trio of freshmen that were key contributors in the national title game are back, but that didn’t stop Saban from signing three wide receivers this cycle. Waddle and Williams are true wideouts and Bolden is considered an athlete. Like the rising sophomores, Williams can move around to different spots, but Waddle and Bolden should start in the slot.

Outside of the newcomers, Alabama redshirted Shavers and Townsend a season ago, and the former could give the starting quarterback a big target in the red zone at 6-foot-6, 209.

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Tight end

TE -- Hale Hentges, Major Tennison, Michael Parker

TE-H -- Irv Smith Jr., Miller Forristall, Kedrick James

Reasoning: UA signed one tight end in Parker, an in-state prospect, and his signature gives the Tide an even six players at the position. Hentges and Smith, the players that saw majority of the tight end snaps in 2017, are back, and Forristall will be nearing the end of his recovery from an ACL injury. There’s also the pair of soon-to-be sophomores that saw the field in 2017.

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WHO'S LEAVING?

Junior Calvin Ridley, redshirt senior Robert Foster, senior Cam Sims

Alabama’s three starting receivers either ran out of eligibility or elected to enter the 2018 NFL Draft a year early, leaving three holes in the Tide’s starting lineup. Ridley, who will likely be a first-round pick in late April, leaves Tuscaloosa as only the second receiver to compile 2,000 career receiving yards in school history and leaves UA to replace its No. 1 target.

Foster never quite reached his 5-star potential in five seasons at Alabama, but his speed will be difficult to replace. Sims provided the Crimson Tide with a big target in the slot and was widely considered the team’s best blocker at the wideout position. The pair of departing seniors caught 28 passes (14 receptions apiece) for 381 yards and a couple of touchdowns in 2017.

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WHO'S COMING IN?

4-star WR Jaylen Waddle, 4-star WR Xavier Williams, 3-star APB Slade Bolden

The Crimson Tide signed three receivers in the 2018 cycle, including Waddle earlier this month in the second of two signing periods. The Bellaire, Texas, native was the final signee for UA and the No. 39 overall prospect in the 2018 class, per the 247Sports Composite rankings. He and Bolden, who is already on campus, seem destined to start their careers in the slot.

As for Williams, he will arrive on campus this summer after serving as one of the top recruiters for Alabama this cycle. Another wide receiver from Florida, he will provide depth in 2018.

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