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re: Class of 2015 Recruiting MEGATHREAD - Twilight Edition
Posted on 4/8/14 at 12:39 pm to TideSaint
Posted on 4/8/14 at 12:39 pm to TideSaint
BR compares our 2014 offense with the USCw offense Kiffin led:
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Alabama head coach Nick Saban shocked the college football world when he hired former USC and Tennessee head coach Lane Kiffin to replace Doug Nussmeier as the offensive coordinator of the Crimson Tide after Nussmeier left Tuscaloosa to take the same job at Michigan.
When Kiffin arrived in town, he found a virtual All-Star team of offensive weapons to work with in his first season in T-Town.
Junior wide receiver Amari Cooper is back to lead a talented and veteran wide receiving corps, and T.J. Yeldon and Derrick Henry are vying for the starting spot at running back in front of an insanely deep group of talented and versatile running backs.
Is this the best offense Kiffin will have ever worked with?
No, but it's close.
While the 2014 Crimson Tide team is loaded, the 2004 and 2005 USC teams, of which Kiffin served as wide receivers coach and offensive coordinator for, respectively, have this year's Tide beat in terms of overall talent. Each of those two Trojan teams played for the national title, with the 2004 team vacating its title and the 2005 Trojans falling to Texas in the Rose Bowl. Both boasted elite offenses, with the 2005 team having a slight edge in terms of overall talent.
Let's compare the 2005 Trojan offense to the 2014 Crimson Tide offense.
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Quarterback
This is no contest in favor of USC. Sure, Matt Leinart's career essentially peaked in college, but there's no denying how good he was within that system. The 2004 Heisman Trophy winner returned in 2005 to throw for 3,815 yards, 28 touchdowns and eight interceptions for a whopping 8.9 yards per attempt.
What's more is that was actually a disappointment after his Heisman campaign, which saw him throw for fewer yards (3,322) but more touchdowns (33) and fewer interceptions (six).
Argue his talents at the next level until you're blue in the face, but there's no questioning that Leinart was an elite college quarterback.
Alabama's quarterback spot is a big question mark this year. Senior Blake Sims has emerged as the front-runner midway through spring practice, according to AL.com's Michael Casagrande, but all eyes will be on Jacob Coker when he transfers from Florida State this summer.
Even if you believe Coker will be the second-coming of AJ McCarron, eclipsing Leinart's season in 2005 will still be incredibly challenging for Coker, Sims or whoever wins the 'Bama job.
Advantage: USC
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Running Backs
USC had two running backs go north of 1,000 yards in 2005—LenDale White (1,302 yards, 24 TDs) and that season's Heisman Trophy winner (which was later returned), Reggie Bush (1,740 yards, 16 TDs).
That thunder and lightning combination is a high bar for Alabama to eclipse, but the Crimson Tide have done it with the group Kiffin will have in Tuscaloosa for 2014.
T.J. Yeldon will undoubtedly be the headliner after the rising junior rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons. But nipping on his heels is the 6'3", 238-pound sophomore Henry, who rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown in Alabama's Sugar Bowl loss to Oklahoma.
It's a legitimate battle between the two, but Kiffin creating a similar "thunder and lightning" scenario with the duo is certainly possible. But with Alabama, there are still even more options. Kenyan Drake rushed for 694 yards and eight touchdowns last season and is even more dangerous in space than Yeldon. Toss in Altee Tenpenny and bruising fullback Jalston Fowler, and the depth in Tuscaloosa is impossible to ignore.
Advantage: Alabama
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Wide Receivers
Cooper had 736 yards and four touchdowns last season in Tuscaloosa, and that was considered a relatively down season when compared to the 999 yards and 11 touchdowns he posted as a true freshman in 2012.
Behind him, DeAndrew White, Christion Jones and several talented prospects are there to solidify the wide receiving corps and help ease the transition for the eventual starting quarterback.
But up against USC's group from 2005, there's no comparison.
Dwayne Jarrett had 91 catches for 1,274 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2005, which was the second of three straight seasons in which he eclipsed the double-digit mark in touchdown catches. His running mate was Steve Smith, who had 957 receiving yards that year and would wrap up his college career the next season with 3,019 yards and 22 touchdowns.
That one-two punch is too much for this group of Crimson Tide receivers to overcome, even if Cooper rebounds from his 2013 "down year."
Advantage: USC
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Tight End
USC had the dynamic duo of Dominique Byrd and Fred Davis at tight end in 2005, both of whom enjoyed tremendous careers in the City of Angels. Byrd had 306 yards in 2005, while Davis had 145 and two touchdowns.
Can current Tide tight end O.J. Howard top them?
I think he can.
The world got a glimpse of what the 6'6", 237-pound monster was capable of on his 52-yard catch-and-run in the second quarter of Alabama's 38-17 win over LSU last season. He's an elite route-runner who presents matchup nightmares for opposing defensive coordinators.
The new Crimson Tide quarterback needs a safety valve, and Howard will be it. He will be one of the top tight ends in the country in 2014 and could be the best one Kiffin has ever worked with as a college coach.
Advantage: Alabama
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Offensive Line
This is where USC really separates itself from Alabama. While the 2014 Crimson Tide offensive line is talented, USC's version was simply next-level.
Left tackle Sam Baker, left guard Taitusi Lutui and center Ryan Kalil were all first-team All-Pac-10 members that season, with right guard Fred Matua being named to the second team, according to the archived list on Washington's website. Lutui was a consensus All-American that year, according to Sports-Reference.
Alabama has some talented pieces along the defensive line this season, including Austin Shepherd, Alphonse Taylor, Leon Brown and incoming star Cam Robinson; but Kiffin and head coach Nick Saban are still moving those parts around to find the right fit, according to Andrew Gribble of AL.com.
USC's 2005 offensive line was the perfect storm of stars aligning, which was a big reason—"pun" intended—why USC played for the national title that season.
Alabama's offense is loaded with talent, and Kiffin's track record as an offensive guru (when he's not distracted by the responsibilities of a head coach) certainly makes the future bright for the Tide offense.
But this group has some work to do if it wants to overcome the 2005 Trojans as the most talented offensive college team that Kiffin has ever coached.
Advantage: USC
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Posted on 4/8/14 at 12:41 pm to TideSaint
It appears that Brandon Harris is going to be the starting QB for LSU next season. 
Posted on 4/8/14 at 12:48 pm to TideSaint
And people think they will beat us this year 
Posted on 4/8/14 at 12:49 pm to TideSaint
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Even though the University of Alabama’s first scrimmage of the spring will be closed as usual, and Lane Kiffin hasn’t done a single interview with the local writers since being hired in January, some of his influences as the Crimson Tide’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach are beginning to be seen and felt in Tuscaloosa.
They can be broken down into three categories:
1. Recruiting
Kiffin helped the Crimson Tide close out the nation’s top recruiting class.
“He has a lot of relationships built up in recruiting from the various schools he has coached,” coach Nick Saban said. “It's very important to have the kind of offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach you can recruit to, someone young people want to play in that style of offense. That was an asset for us in helping get some of the offensive players we were able to attract.
“He does a really good job of presenting to the players how they are going to be used in the offense. They have a very clear picture of how they are going to be used. It was a real positive asset of him being involved in the short time he was involved recruiting this class.”
2. Identifying and developing Alabama’s next starting quarterback
This will obviously take a while to gauge, especially with Jacob Coker transferring from Florida State after graduating next month, but five others, including early enrollee David Cornwell are essentially getting one-on-one instruction this spring.
“It’s going to be a long time in us developing those players, not being so quick to criticize or quick to try to make a judgment or a decision on any one particular player, but to continue to try to have the patience to develop those guys into the kind of guys that can play winning football for us,” Saban said.
3. Running the offense
How different will it be under Kiffin?
“It's Saban, so it's going to be the same offense,” explained senior tight end Brian Vogler. “Obviously there's wrinkles. Every coach brings his own wrinkle to it but you're going to see the same stuff.
“Just a little bit more dynamic. (It's) hard to explain.”
Here, in the words of various Alabama players and Saban, is an attempt to do just that, with some of the changes they’ll be experiencing on Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium and fans will eventually see from the Crimson Tide offense:
Posted on 4/8/14 at 12:49 pm to TideSaint
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This might not register too much with fans, but some of the Crimson Tide’s play-calling has changed
“He came in and made the offense more simple and player friendly,” junior wide receiver Amari Cooper said.
“The way plays are called, it’s easy to recognize what you have to do as a player.”
Translation: It’ll make things a little easier on the new quarterback, who replaces a three-year starter.
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Players credited communication issues as a primary reason for the offense not being better early last season.
“One of the things we’re trying to emphasize is get up to the ball, get down, get set,” junior center Ryan Kelly said. “Last year, look at it, we were running the clock down to five, four seconds every time. The faster that we can get to the line, get set, let the quarterback look at what he’s got to look at, the more time we can have and we’re not rushing to make calls last-minute.”
Translation: Alabama will likely snap the ball quicker and have fewer audibles.
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Look for more window dressing this season.
“It's pretty much the same thing, just formations are different and everything,” senior quarterback Blake Sims said.
In other words, Alabama is looking to run a lot of the same plays, but how it sets them up and the presentation will be different.
“It’s pretty diverse, but if you learn it you’ll be better prepared to play in our offense,” senior Jalston Fowler said.
“We really have to learn what everybody’s doing. If you play X you have to know where the Z’s going because you might end up playing (there). He moves everyone around.”
Translation: The Crimson Tide are making a real effort to be less predictable.
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Before he became offensive coordinator, Lane Kiffin was brought in as a consultant during the bowl practices and picked apart the Crimson Tide offense.
“He pays attention to everything, every little thing,” senior tight end Brian Vogler said.
He also paid attention to the big things, like running back Derrick Henry, who was subsequently promoted and had a breakthrough game.
“He's playing just like he left off,” Saban said about the sophomore. “He's got a lot of confidence now. He understands what to do, he plays fast, he's very physical. He's had an outstanding spring so far.”
Translation: T.J. Yeldon may be on the verge of becoming Alabama’s all-time leading rusher, but Henry should be a real force in 2014.
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Alabama’s wide receivers have been looking at film from Southern California’s offense to get used to Lane Kiffin’s play-calling and how he wants things executed.
“Yeah, we look at it for concepts we need to learn for our offense here and we know what those guys did for him at USC at the wide receiver position,” junior wide receiver Amari Cooper said.
It’s partially why so many are predicting a big season from Cooper, who is already closing in on numerous Crimson Tide career receiving records. In 2012, Marqise Lee had a whopping 118 receptions for 1,721 yards for the Trojans.
“He's a monster,” safety Nick Perry said about Cooper. “He's one of the best receivers I've seen and I've been here for five years. I've practiced against Julio (Jones), practiced against (Marquis) Maze. Coop is just a different breed.”
Translation: Nick Saban has already said about Cooper, “Obviously he's a guy that we want to get the ball to as many times as we can.” If he stays healthy, Cooper could potentially shatter numerous Alabama single-season records as well.
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Coming off a torn ACL, Jalston Fowler, nicknamed “Nudie,” primarily played fullback and running back last season, when he had 20 carries for 88 yards and five red-zone touchdown receptions.
This season he’ll be more of a jack-of-all-trades, because Fowler will also play a lot of H-back—which, in the Crimson Tide’s scheme, means being a receiving tight end like Brad Smelley was in 2011.
“My role will change a lot because I have to learn what the receivers are doing, the H receiver, I have to learn what he’s doing, so it’s changing quite a bit,” Fowler said.
Translation: Fowler will be nearly an every-down player.
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Last season Alabama had its worst receiving production out of its tight ends since Nick Saban arrived in 2007, with just 34 catches for 385 yards—and that includes running back/fullback/H-back Jalston Fowler’s numbers.
As a true freshman, O.J. Howard played in 13 games, with five starts, but made just 14 receptions for 269 yards and two touchdowns.
“He looks great,” senior tight end Brian Vogler said. “Just where he left off from last season. He's a fast guy, picks up stuff really well, so learning this new offense is coming really well to him.”
Translation: Don’t be surprised if Howard, Vogler and Fowler all catch more passes this season.
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Nick Saban defines an explosive play as a run of 13 yards or more, or a pass of 17 yards or more. Alabama’s goal is nine per game, which it only did six times last season while having a 111-52 advantage over opponents.
“Lane will do a really good job of getting the ball in the playmakers' hands,” the coach said.
Led by junior running back T.J. Yeldon’s 28, seven of the Crimson Tide’s top eight players in explosive plays return for 2014. The others are Kenyan Drake, Amari Cooper, Derrick Henry, DeAndrew White, O.J. Howard and Christion Jones.
“I really look forward to what he’s going to bring to the offense,” true freshman quarterback David Cornwell said before summarizing it in one word: “Explosive.”
Posted on 4/8/14 at 12:50 pm to TreyAnastasio
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And people think they will beat us this year
I don't get it either. I assume they feel that way because the game is in Baton Rouge. I guess they don't realize we own their arse down there.
Posted on 4/8/14 at 12:51 pm to TideSaint
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Five-star 2015 defensive end CeCe Jefferson of Glen St. Mary (Fla.) Baker County visited Alabama last week and came away impressed.
“They stood out to me," Jefferson told 247Sports after watching the Crimson Tide practice on Wednesday "Coach (Nick) Saban is a cool guy, as I thought he would be. Their facilities are top notch and Alabama is a real fun place to be and I’ll definitely be going back there.”
Jefferson (6-2, 250), the No. 1 strong-side defensive end and No. 7 overall prospect in the nation according to the 247Sports Composite, followed up the visit with a trip to the school believed to be his clear favorite, Florida. He said Gators defensive line coach Brad Lawing told him he's a priority in UF's 2015 class.
“He’s telling me they are going to come after me hard,” Jefferson told 247Sports. "They like to get after the quarterback and all the guys are relentless, kind of how I am, and I feel I can fit in here.”
He was joined on the Florida visit by another Crimson Tide defensive end target, five-star Seffner (Fla.) Armwood defensive end Byron Cowart.
Posted on 4/8/14 at 12:54 pm to TideSaint
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Alabama's real quarterback battle won't take place until this summer when Florida State transfer Jacob Coker arrives on campus, and this spring has been all about establishing a contender to Coker.
Who's that contender?
Nobody knows yet.
Senior Blake Sims is the only quarterback in camp who has attempted a college pass. The Gainesville, Ga., native has been working on becoming a more prolific pocket passer who doesn't have to rely on his dual-threat capabilities to be successful.
Will that experience pay off, or will Alec Morris, Parker McLeod, Cooper Bateman or David Cornwell unseat him and carry some much-needed momentum into summer conditioning?
Bateman is the most likely of the underclassmen to take the next step. He was a 4-star prospect coming out of high school, is accurate downfield and is a perfect fit for what first-year offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin wants to do.
These last two weeks aren't the two most important weeks of the Alabama quarterback battle, but for four of the five candidates in spring camp, it will be their last shot at winning the job.
Posted on 4/8/14 at 12:55 pm to TideSaint
Pre-ACL tear snippet:
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How is Alabama's depth chart at cornerback looking?
That's a bit of a mystery thus far, but AL.com's Andrew Gribble provided a bit of a glimpse of how things are shaking out earlier this week when he pointed out that sophomore Eddie Jackson—a part-time starter last year—was paired with hot-shot early enrollee Tony Brown during Tuesday's practice.
Does that mean they're the two starters? Who knows. Juniors Bradley Sylve and Cyrus Jones were also paired together during the same practice. Saban is likely mixing and matching his defensive backs this spring in the hopes of finding the right combination to help the defensive backfield take the next step.
Make no mistake, it needs to take the next step.
Despite finishing second in the SEC in pass defense last season (180.3 YPG), the Crimson Tide's secondary lacked consistency and benefited from a schedule that didn't include many potent passing teams.
Posted on 4/8/14 at 12:58 pm to TideSaint
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5. Kenyan Drake, Alabama John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports Position: Running Back
2013 Stats: 92 rushes, 694 yards (7.5 avg), 8 TD
Though T.J. Yeldon grabbed the national spotlight a year ago, his backup was potentially even more talented. Drake has a reputation for sparking the offense when things behind Yeldon and quarterback A.J. McCarron stalled, as his athleticism and skill at multiple positions makes him a difficult opponent to plan for.
There's perhaps more competition at the running back position for Alabama as there is for any position at any university. Drake remains behind Yeldon, but rest assured that he'll make waves when he hits the field.
Posted on 4/8/14 at 1:44 pm to TideSaint
Bleacher Report's Top 25 College Football Tailgating Schools for 2014
FWIW, Tennessee was #1, Ole Miss was #2, and LSU was #3.
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12. Alabama
Tuscaloosa isn't just a title town, it's also a great place to tailgate before a football game. And though the crowd is overwhelmingly pushing for the Crimson Tide, there's a certain level of friendliness extended to fans of most opponents—almost sort of out of pity for what will likely be yet another victim.
The confidence that exudes from Alabama coach Nick Saban and his players extends to the fanbase, but that faith doesn't come across as cocky. Rather, it translates into a great pregame party that serves as the perfect warm-up to an afternoon of success on the gridiron.
FWIW, Tennessee was #1, Ole Miss was #2, and LSU was #3.
Posted on 4/8/14 at 1:46 pm to TideSaint
Gene Chizik didn't approve of his daughter's prom date apparently:
Posted on 4/8/14 at 1:47 pm to TideSaint
Ole Miss tailgating is the most overrated thing in sports. Its exactly like the quad, but with less people and terrible football.
Tennessee sucks in general.
Tennessee sucks in general.
Posted on 4/8/14 at 2:19 pm to TreyAnastasio
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Tennessee sucks in general.
They only got it because of the damn boats.
Posted on 4/8/14 at 4:07 pm to TideSaint
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FWIW, Charles Power sort of shot down the rumor of Fitzpatrick commmiting at A-Day. He did say that Alabama was in very good shape, but that Minkah has said he was looking to commit later this summer.
Someone on BOL was saying he read an interview on another site where Minkah said that he might commit at A-Day if it felt right. Any clue what website that might be? I only subscribe to BOL.
lilslym, who typically has decent info, said that the staff expected three commits by A-Day, Pettibon being one of them. So we might get two more. : dunno :
Posted on 4/8/14 at 4:56 pm to TreyAnastasio
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Ole Miss tailgating is the most overrated thing in sports. Its exactly like the quad, but with less people and terrible football.
Tennessee sucks in general.
The Grove is fun but it is vastly overrated. I've been to five Alabama-Ole Miss games and I never saw anything better than do at most SEC tailgating scenes.
I went to Tennessee in 2004. It was awful other than the Vol Navy.
Posted on 4/8/14 at 4:58 pm to TideSaint
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Apparently this guy thinks like nardogg:
There was so much homer in that article, I can't take anything serious.
Posted on 4/8/14 at 5:43 pm to TideSaint
He seems to be checking the hand placement, specifically.
Posted on 4/8/14 at 6:20 pm to My2Bits
Leo Lewis apparently told OM writer that OM leads.
Who else do you think we target at ILB?
Who else do you think we target at ILB?
Posted on 4/8/14 at 6:52 pm to chattabama
Warmack quote to AUC:
shite.
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"I feel a little less concerned because I watched their spring practice, and overall their O-line didn't look too good," Warmack said. "Coach Cristobal said there's a need on the O.line still."
shite.
This post was edited on 4/8/14 at 6:54 pm
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