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re: Class of 2015 Recruiting MEGATHREAD - Twilight Edition
Posted on 3/12/14 at 11:02 am to TideSaint
Posted on 3/12/14 at 11:02 am to TideSaint
quote:
Linebackers
Alabama
One of Alabama coach Nick Saban’s most admirable traits is his ability to reload after graduating top-level talent.
How the Crimson Tide moves on from linebacker C.J. Mosley could be a clinic of what makes Saban’s programs great.
It won’t just be Mosley Alabama has to replace. Starter Adrian Hubbard also declared for the NFL draft, leaving three voids at linebacker.
On a positive note, Trey DePriest elected to return this season after making 65 tackles, including 7.5 for loss.
Denzel Devall is the other returning starter. He registered 30 tackles, including five TFLs, in 2013.
Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart gets to select his new starters from several huge prospects, including Reuben Foster.
247Sports rated Foster, whom the Crimson Tide plucked out of Auburn, as the No. 6 prospect nationally in 2013.
Jonathan Allen, who also showed up in the defensive line discussion, could potentially land at linebacker instead of end. If he does, he will add immediate credence to the position.
D.J. Pettway is in the same position as Allen—potentially a defensive end and potentially a “Jack” linebacker.
True freshman Shaun Hamilton enrolled early so he can compete for playing time.
Auburn
As the 2013 season progressed, Auburn quietly improved substantially at the linebacker position.
The key?
Auburn finally moved more to a lineup featuring Kris Frost and Cassanova McKinzy.
Senior Jake Holland still officially started 13 of 14 games, but Frost took on a substantially boosted workload.
It’s a good thing, too.
As much as coaches praised Holland for being an intelligent player, he never possessed the speed, agility or both to contribute as even an average starting SEC linebacker.
McKinzy led the team with 75 tackles, also scoring eight TFLs.
Frost, meanwhile, leveraged his additional snaps for increased production, earning 59 tackles including six for loss.
That duo seems the likely starting tandem in defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson’s customary 4-2-5 system.
Where the Tigers will find depth remains to be seen.
Anthony Swain and JaViere Mitchell could well find themselves as the top reserve candidates.
Keep an eye on Tre’ Williams, an incoming 5-star freshman who won’t be on campus in time for spring practice.
Advantage: Alabama
1
Posted on 3/12/14 at 11:02 am to TideSaint
quote:
Secondary
Alabama
Until Oklahoma quarterback Trevor Knight scorched the Crimson Tide in the Sugar Bowl, Alabama seemed to have turned a corner in the secondary.
The unit made tremendous strides since earlier in the season when Texas A&M posted huge passing numbers.
Alabama’s cornerbacks were young—and getting younger this year—but also have a great deal of talent.
Cornerback Eddie Jackson, who won a starting job midway through his freshman season, needs to be a stabilizing presence at the position.
Deion Belue is gone, meaning Alabama must quickly find solutions at corner.
John Fulton started last season, but struggled—specifically against Texas A&M.
Cyrus Jones and Bradley Sylve offer intriguing options as well.
Incoming freshmen Tony Brown (enrolled) and Marlon Humphrey (not enrolled) have chances to earn immediate playing time.
The safety position is a bit more settled, despite losing both Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Vinnie Sunseri to the NFL.
Landon Collins is the next huge thing to come out of the Alabama secondary.
Nick Perry, Jarrick Williams and Geno Smith—all of whom have experience—seem likely to battle for the other position.
Whichever of Perry or Smith who doesn’t win the starting nod could factor in as a nickelback.
Auburn
For Auburn to weather the storms coming as part of its 2014 schedule, it must find answers in the secondary.
Chris Davis, the team’s top corner, is gone. So are secondary contributors Ryan White and Ryan Smith.
Now the Tigers must reload on the fly.
Defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson has the benefit of being able to call on safety Derrick Moncrief, rated by 247Sports as one of the nation’s top junior-college transfers.
Moncrief will team with Jermaine Whitehead as Auburn’s traditional safeties while Robenson Therezie should return as a starter at the “Star” position.
At some point, it seems likely the coaches will finally find a spot for Justin Garrett, who has drawn rave reviews from his practice performances in the past.
Cornerback isn’t as clear-cut.
Jonathon Mincy and Joshua Holsey seem to have the inside tracks to starting positions.
Depth beyond those two must surface, which is why the Tigers signed junior-college transfer Joseph Turner after national signing day.
Jonathan Jones saw some playing time last year but didn’t do anything to make a name for himself.
Incoming freshmen Nick Ruffin, Kalvaraz Bessent and Stephen Roberts should all have chances to see the field this year.
None of the three will go through spring practice, which could create a tense August camp.
Advantage: Alabama
Posted on 3/12/14 at 11:03 am to TideSaint
quote:
Special Teams:
Alabama
Return specialist Christion Jones gives Alabama one of the best special teams weapons in the nation.
Adam Griffith seems the most logical contender to become the primary kicker.
True freshman JK Scott will likely take over as the starting punter, but he will not practice this spring because he won’t yet be enrolled in school.
Auburn
Punter Steven Clark and kicker Cody Parkey are both gone, leaving Auburn trying to break in players at both positions.
Redshirt freshmen Daniel Carlson (punter) and Jimmy Hutchinson (kicker) are the logical favorites to win the battles.
Auburn must also find answers in the return game with Tre Mason and Chris Davis both headed for professional careers.
Quan Bray returns as a return specialist. Tailback Corey Grant would also seem to be a logical option.
Advantage: Alabama
Posted on 3/12/14 at 11:04 am to TideSaint
So, in summary, Alabama comes out ahead 5 to 2 with 1 push. 
Posted on 3/12/14 at 11:08 am to TideSaint
Top 10 SEC Most Terrifying Defensive Players of BCS Era:
quote:
8. DeMeco Ryans
Position: Linebacker
Years: 2002-2005
Playing in every game as a freshman, not an easy task at Alabama, there was little doubt to Ryans' ability from the outset of his career. Accruing over 300 tackles and with 33 tackles for loss to his name, Ryans made a name as one of the greatest tacklers to ever play for the storied Crimson Tide.
From Bessemer, Ala., Ryans took the Lott Trophy during his senior campaign as the IMPACT Defensive Player of the Year and stood as a consensus All-American. A finalist for the Bednarik, Butkus, Lombardi and Nagurski awards as a senior, Ryans graduated to begin a successful career in the NFL. Leaving the Houston Texans for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2012, Ryans has recorded 667 tackles in eight seasons as a pro.
Posted on 3/12/14 at 11:38 am to TideSaint
quote:
TideSaint
Do you ever feel like you are talking to yourself in here?
Posted on 3/12/14 at 11:48 am to Alabamya
quote:
Do you ever feel like you are talking to yourself in here?
I usually peak in here when we are in on the same recruit as you guys to try to see what some of you (realistic ones, not Bucc) are saying. I will say this for TideSaint, the guy gives you all an incredible service. I'd like to do the same for LSU fans, but I don't want to work that hard.
Posted on 3/12/14 at 12:10 pm to Alabamya
quote:
Do you ever feel like you are talking to yourself in here?
Sometimes.
Posted on 3/12/14 at 12:11 pm to Meno's Paradox
quote:
I usually peak in here when we are in on the same recruit as you guys to try to see what some of you (realistic ones, not Bucc) are saying. I will say this for TideSaint, the guy gives you all an incredible service. I'd like to do the same for LSU fans, but I don't want to work that hard.
It's really not that hard. I usually browse a few sites in the morning and then when I get home.
Posted on 3/12/14 at 12:28 pm to TideSaint
I can't believe we would have an advantage over anyone on special teams
Posted on 3/12/14 at 12:35 pm to chattabama
quote:
Hailing from Mississippi, Leo Lewis is one of the most naturally athletic linebackers in the country. He's spent a great deal of time at the defensive end position, but the 4-star prospect's skill set fits best on the second level.
At 6'3" and 225 pounds, Lewis is comfortable in space. He has ideal speed to chase running backs across the box, plus his athleticism will help him to buzz into coverage without any problems.
Auburn, Mississippi State and Alabama are his top schools, says 247Sports. His decision will not come until national signing day, according to Justin Hokanson of AuburnSports.com (subscription required).
Posted on 3/12/14 at 12:35 pm to TideSaint
quote:
A big powerful guard, 5-star prospect Jalin Barnett will have an interesting recruitment. The Oklahoma native likes the Sooners, but Alabama is also in the mix, per 247Sports.
Barnett has solid quickness at the snap to get out of his stance, but his strength and power are what make him such a coveted prospect. The 6'4", 315-pounder will be ready to contribute in the offensive trenches early in his college career.
Barnett's decision will not come soon, with Jason Howell of Rivals.com (subscription required) saying not to look for an announcement until after his season. Something says national signing day is when Barnett will let people know what he intends to do.
Posted on 3/12/14 at 12:36 pm to TideSaint
quote:
Among the best players in talent-rich Alabama, 5-star defensive tackle Daron Payne will have both in-state powers tussling over him for months to come.
Alabama and Auburn both have Payne among their top recruiting priorities, and for good reason. The 6'2", 316-pounder has fantastic strength to bully his way around the field. Payne doesn't waste much time after the snap, plus he does a great job of quickly finding the ball.
A national signing day announcement is expected from Payne, says Justin Hokanson of AuburnSports.com (subscription required).
Said Hokanson: "Payne plans to wait and look at all the schools before making a decision around signing day."
Posted on 3/12/14 at 1:00 pm to Alabamya
quote:
Do you ever feel like you are talking to yourself in here?
Saint is omnipotent and by the time we think of something to post, he has already posted it in way more detail than we ever could.
I salute his efforts!
Posted on 3/12/14 at 1:58 pm to Bamad
quote:
Saint is omnipotent and by the time we think of something to post, he has already posted it in way more detail than we ever could.
I agree. I just feel like posting a dancing nanna every now and then just to let him know we are reading this shite.
Posted on 3/12/14 at 2:33 pm to TideSaint
2000
Posted on 3/12/14 at 2:33 pm to Alabamya
quote:
I just feel like posting a dancing nanna every now and then just to let him know we are reading this shite.
I see nothing wrong with this.
Posted on 3/12/14 at 3:22 pm to TideSaint
Posted on 3/12/14 at 3:28 pm to TideSaint
I know I appreciate the work you put in. I'm too busy too spend the time I used to on recruiting.
Posted on 3/12/14 at 4:06 pm to CapstoneGrad06
quote:
I know I appreciate the work you put in.
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