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re: 2018-19 Roster/Depth Chart breakdowns and updates
Posted on 2/20/18 at 4:00 pm to TidalSurge1
Posted on 2/20/18 at 4:00 pm to TidalSurge1
Alabama football: Post-National Signing Day defensive depth chart (SEC Country)
Juco transfer Saivion Smith will compete for a starting spot in Alabama's secondary.
Juco transfer Saivion Smith will compete for a starting spot in Alabama's secondary.
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Alabama football brought in another talented recruiting class in the 2018 cycle, but on paper, there doesn’t appear to be too many names who project to make an instant splash on the defensive depth chart.
Guys such as defensive linemen Christian Barmore and Stephon Wynn, along with defensive backs Patrick Surtain Jr. and Saivion Smith, are a few names to look out for.
Here’s an early look at where they might fit on the defensive depth chart (after all of them arrive on campus):
This post was edited on 2/20/18 at 4:10 pm
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Posted on 2/20/18 at 4:01 pm to TidalSurge1
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Defensive line
Starters: Raekwon Davis, Isaiah Buggs, Quinnen Williams — or — LaBryan Ray
Backups: Christian Barmore, Stephon Wynn, Phidarian Mathis, Johnny Dwight
Notes: Barmore is currently listed at 6-foot-5, 290 pounds, but he easily could add more size and strength once he starts working out with Scott Cochran. Even if he doesn’t become a full-time starter, Alabama will need depth behind its top guys. Wynn is currently listed at 6-4, 308 pounds, so he’s another big body who could provide depth early.
Alabama has a lot of talent to replace with Da’Ron Payne, Da’Shawn Hand and Josh Frazier all moving on. The good thing is that Davis will be back to build on a strong sophomore season. Buggs’ return gives the Crimson Tide an experienced and talented veteran. Williams and Ray are young, but both are immensely talented. It’ll come down to finding depth.
This post was edited on 2/20/18 at 4:14 pm
Posted on 2/20/18 at 4:01 pm to TidalSurge1
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Inside linebackers
Starters: Mack Wilson, Dylan Moses
Backups: Keith Holcombe, Josh McMillon, Markail Benton
Notes: This is a really intriguing duo because both showed an ability to make plays when they were healthy last season. Wilson led the team with 4 interceptions. Moses posted double-digit tackles in the two games (Mercer, Auburn) he started. Both Wilson and Moses dealt with foot injuries. If they’re healthy, Wilson and Moses have the talent to be one of the top linebacker duos in the country.
This post was edited on 2/20/18 at 4:15 pm
Posted on 2/20/18 at 4:01 pm to TidalSurge1
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Outside linebackers
Starters: Anfernee Jennings, Christian Miller – or – Terrell Lewis
Backups: Eyabi Anoma, Jordan Davis, Cameron Latu, Jarez Parks, Jamey Mosley, Chris Allen, VanDarius Cowan, Ben Davis
Notes: This group dealt with an unthinkable amount of injuries in 2017, so it’s hard to truly evaluate them. If Jennings, Miller and Lewis can stay healthy next season, look out. Alabama could rival some of the sack numbers the team posted in 2015 and 2016.
This post was edited on 2/20/18 at 4:17 pm
Posted on 2/20/18 at 4:01 pm to TidalSurge1
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Cornerbacks
Starters: Saivion Smith, Trevon Diggs, Shyheim Carter (star)
Backups: Patrick Surtain Jr., Jalyn Armour-Davis, Josh Jobe, Jared Mayden, Nigel Knott, Kyriq McDonald
Notes: Surtain is a really intriguing prospect who could have a Minkah Fitzpatrick-type impact as a freshman. Fitzpatrick was basically a three-year starter during his time at Alabama.
Smith, a junior college transfer, is a big key to the 2018 secondary. He must be able to step in and contribute immediately.
Diggs earned a starting spot at the beginning of the 2017 season, but struggled and was replaced by Levi Wallace. To be fair, Diggs was still new at the position, so a full year of working at corner should help him next season.
Carter seems like an easy fill-in at star considering he has stepped in quite a bit during his first two seasons.
Guys such as Mayden, McDonald and Knott have a chance to compete for a starting spot as well, given all the turnover in the secondary.
This post was edited on 2/20/18 at 4:19 pm
Posted on 2/20/18 at 4:03 pm to TidalSurge1
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Safeties
Starters: Deionte Thompson, Daniel Wright – or – Xavier McKinney
Backups: Eddie Smith, Keaton Anderson
Notes: Thompson played lights out in the College Football Playoff after stepping in for the injured Hootie Jones. That experience will be huge as Thompson steps into a bigger role heading into his senior year.
Wright and McKinney both flashed as freshmen and should compete for the other starting spot. Depending on what Alabama thinks it needs, we could see some of the cornerbacks switched to safety. Mayden is a guy who’s worked at both safety and corner.
This post was edited on 2/20/18 at 4:21 pm
Posted on 2/21/18 at 4:37 pm to TidalSurge1
4-star freshman 'a little different' than Alabama's other receivers (al.com)
Jaylen Waddle (17) catches a pass during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, January 6, 2018.
Jaylen Waddle (17) catches a pass during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, January 6, 2018.
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As Jaylen Waddle's high school coach talked about him at the school's National Signing Day ceremony, he brought up something a prominent college coach once told him about Alabama's newest wide receiver.
"There's a Division I coach at a top-10 school in the country that said he has never seen a high school wide receiver as dynamic as you are," Waddle's high school coach, Steve Leisz, said during that ceremony. "And he's been around a while."
If you watch a Waddle highlight tape, it will take less than a minute to understand that this 5-foot-10, 175-pound Bellaire, Texas native has rare speed and playmaking ability.
He was one of Alabama's top wide receiver targets for this year's recruiting class, maybe even the top one. And, even though the Crimson Tide returns three wide receivers that contributed a lot as freshmen last season, Waddle will be in the mix to play a lot as a true freshman.
"We had him in a camp last summer and we've recruited him for a long time," Alabama coach Nick Saban said. "He's got great quickness and change of direction and run after catch (ability). Really an outstanding overall receiver, but would work really well for us in the slot. Has really good run after catch speed, sweep-type of ability. Maybe a little different than some of the guys we have right now, which is a really good thing."
Waddle, the fifth-best wide receiver and 39th-best overall prospect in this year's recruiting class according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, was the final player to sign with the Tide on National Signing Day.
Waddle picking Alabama over Texas A&M allowed the Tide to end the day on a very positive note.
Two of Alabama's new coaches immediately shared their excitement on Twitter after Waddle made his announcement. And both referenced that speed that Waddle will be bringing to Tuscaloosa.
Jeff Banks @CoachJeffBanks
Juice , speed , make you miss in space! Fired up to add this playmaker. #HOU-BAMA #RTR
Josh Gattis @Coach_Gattis
Boom.......speed kills! ???It takes a different Breed to play at Bama! #RollTide #RTR
"I think receivers are a little bit like a basketball team," Saban said. "You have a point guard. You've got a shooting guard. You've got a power forward. I mean all those different types of guys really make a good receiving core. We're excited about him because great quickness, great change of direction, really, really hard to cover and a great person."
Highlights Video
Posted on 2/22/18 at 6:57 pm to TidalSurge1
Third-year Alabama player gets medical redshirt
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A third-year Alabama player has gained another season of eligibility.
Tight end Miller Forristall has received a medical redshirt after missing most of last season due to a knee injury, AL.com has confirmed.
Instead of being a junior this season, the Georgia native will be a redshirt sophomore.
Forristall suffered a torn ACL during the Crimson Tide's Week 3 win over Colorado State and missed the rest of the season.
He had been a top backup at tight end behind Hale Hentges and Irv Smith after catching five passes for 73 yards as a freshman in 2016. He will again be a factor in the competition for playing time at tight end entering this year.
Posted on 2/23/18 at 6:19 am to TidalSurge1
Updated roster reveals early enrollee numbers, number changes (BamaOnLine)
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Alabama’s online roster has finally been updated ahead of the team’s 2018 spring schedule to reflect the senior and draft declaree departures and include the handful of newcomers.
The Crimson Tide added five early enrollees in defensive back Saivion Smith, linebacker Jarez Parks, defensive lineman Stephon Wynn, receiver Slade Bolden and punter Skyler DeLong.
Below is the first-year players’ updated numbers, heights and weights:
8 -- Saivion Smith -- 6-1, 185
10 -- Skyler DeLong -- 6-4, 180
23 -- Jarez Parks -- 6-4, 260
29 -- Slade Bolden -- 5-11, 200
90 -- Stephon Wynn -- 6-4, 308
Having enrolled after the New Year and practiced with the team ahead of the College Football Playoff, Smith changed from No. 23 to No. 8, while Parks swapped from No. 35 to No. 23.
Four more players will also be sporting new numbers this spring. They are:
Xavier McKinney -- from 25 to 15
Dylan Moses -- from 8 to 32
Phidarian Mathis -- from 93 to 48
Hunter Brannon -- from 50 to 62
A couple of notes on updated roster include tight end Miller Forristall being listed as a redshirt sophomore. Forristall suffered an ACL injury in the Tide’s third game of 2017 and did not return to the field. It looks like the third-year player received a medical redshirt.
Alabama’s 2018 A-Day Game will take place Saturday, April 21, at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
This post was edited on 2/23/18 at 10:23 am
Posted on 2/23/18 at 8:20 am to TidalSurge1
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10 -- Skyler DeLong -- 6-4, 180
I like the new #10 punter tradition
Posted on 2/23/18 at 9:36 am to TidalSurge1
Does Waddle have Percy Harvin type potential?
Posted on 2/23/18 at 10:32 am to Funky Tide 8
That's probably a good comparison. Some have compared Waddle to David Palmer too.
Saban (among others) has said enough for me to think Waddle must be very gifted in quickness, speed, elusiveness, instincts, etc.
He's a good person too; e.g., he "gives back" via community services, etc.
Saban (among others) has said enough for me to think Waddle must be very gifted in quickness, speed, elusiveness, instincts, etc.
He's a good person too; e.g., he "gives back" via community services, etc.
This post was edited on 2/23/18 at 10:40 am
Posted on 2/23/18 at 11:32 am to TidalSurge1
Alabama's 2018 Offseason Outlook: Tight end (BamaOnLine)
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We have reached the point on the calendar between the end of the college football season and the start of spring practices across the country. So, as football withdrawals reach their peak and spring ball inches ever closer, what better way to pass the time than with offseason outlooks on each position on Alabama’s roster for the 2018 season?
Today, we continue our Offseason Outlook series that highlights the state of each position group, breaking down the outgoing, returning and incoming players at each spot and attempt to predict which players will step into starting roles for the Crimson Tide this fall.
Next up is the tight end position.
Posted on 2/23/18 at 11:33 am to TidalSurge1
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WHO'S LEAVING?
No one
Like the QB position, all of Alabama’s tight ends are returning for the 2018 season, including the team’s two starters and Miller Forristall, who only played three games in 2017 before a knee injury ended his sophomore year. Add in rising sophomores Major Tennison and Kedrick James and Alabama will have five tight ends with experience in spring practice.
This post was edited on 2/23/18 at 11:46 am
Posted on 2/23/18 at 11:33 am to TidalSurge1
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WHO'S COMING BACK?
Senior Hale Hentges, junior Irv Smith Jr., redshirt sophomore Miller Forristall, sophomores Major Tennison and Kedrick James
Hentges and Smith were Alabama’s main tight ends in 2017, even before Forristall’s injury. The pair of them combined for six touchdowns (three apiece) on 26 receptions. It was clear Smith stepped into the top receiving role for tight ends after O.J. Howard’s departure, but Hentges was more involved in the passing game than he had been in his previous two seasons.
The return of Forristall should only bolster the returning tight end corps, too. He caught five passes for 73 yards as a freshman in 2016, which was more than Hentges (3 receptions, 10 yards). Only playing three games in 2017, Forristall was granted a medical redshirt and will be a redshirt sophomore in 2018.
Once again providing depth, Tennison and James are more than likely set for reserve roles.
This post was edited on 2/23/18 at 11:45 am
Posted on 2/23/18 at 11:33 am to TidalSurge1
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WHO'S COMING IN?
3-star TE Michael Parker
Parker, a native of Huntsville, Ala., signed with the Crimson Tide on National Signing Day earlier this month. Initially expecting to accept a blue shirt offer, the 6-foot-6, 230-pounder received a National Letter of Intent on Feb. 7 and ultimately signed with the reigning champs. He was the 33rd-ranked tight end in the 2018 recruiting cycle, per the 247Sports Composite.
Like the soon-to-be sophomores, though, Parker will either fill a reserve role or play on special teams if he does not redshirt. The latter might be the more likely option for the freshman.
This post was edited on 2/23/18 at 11:48 am
Posted on 2/23/18 at 11:33 am to TidalSurge1
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PREVIOUS OFFSEASON OUTLOOKS
Quarterback
Running back
Wide receiver
This post was edited on 2/23/18 at 11:51 am
Posted on 2/23/18 at 11:33 am to TidalSurge1
Alabama's 2018 Offseason Outlook: Offensive tackle (BamaOnLine)
quote:
We have reached the point on the calendar between the end of the college football season and the start of spring practices across the country. So, as football withdrawals reach their peak and spring ball inches ever closer, what better way to pass the time than with offseason outlooks on each position on Alabama’s roster for the 2018 season?
Today, we continue our Offseason Outlook series that highlights the state of each position group, breaking down the outgoing, returning and incoming players at each spot and attempt to predict which players will step into starting roles for the Crimson Tide this fall.
Next up is the offensive tackle position.
This post was edited on 2/27/18 at 10:36 pm
Posted on 2/27/18 at 10:36 pm to TidalSurge1
quote:
WHO'S LEAVING?
No one
Outside of a pair of interior guys, Bradley Bozeman and JC Hassenauer, all of Alabama’s other offensive linemen will be back for the 2018 season. There’s always the chance of a transfer, and the offensive line could certainly experience some attrition with 18 players attempting to play five positions. But as of now, all of the Tide’s tackles will be present for spring practice.
This post was edited on 2/27/18 at 10:42 pm
Posted on 2/27/18 at 10:36 pm to TidalSurge1
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WHO'S COMING BACK?
Junior Jonah Williams, redshirt juniors Matt Womack, Richie Petitbon and Elliot Baker, sophomores Alex Leatherwood and Jedrick Wills, redshirt sophomores Scott Lashley and Chris Owens, redshirt freshman Kendall Randolph
The above group includes just about every Alabama offensive linemen that can play tackle, as well as the two players that started every game at left and right tackle (Williams and Womack) and the pair of rising sophomores that saw plenty of the field as true freshmen (Leatherwood and Wills). That quartet has the upper hand heading into the Tide’s spring schedule.
Players like Petitbon, Owens and Randolph will also be factors at interior positions, but as we’ve seen in past practices, players can move around to multiple spots in order to find the best five players along the offensive front. And spring ball is the best time to do that.
For a player like Baker, it’s his last chance to earn reps with the ones or twos after joining the UA program as the top-ranked junior college tackle in 2017. There were also once high hopes for Lashley -- and there still might be -- who was passed by both freshmen in 2017.
This post was edited on 2/27/18 at 10:41 pm
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