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re: Class of 2015 Recruiting MEGATHREAD - Twilight Edition
Posted on 2/26/14 at 11:01 am to sarc
Posted on 2/26/14 at 11:01 am to sarc
I've been wondering about Flowers going to defense. It doesn't make any sense that we have put out so many running back offers if we are only adding one more rb, and seemingly have a lead for Jovon Robinson.
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Posted on 2/26/14 at 11:02 am to sarc
Bleacher Report ranked the SEC RBs for next season:
4. Alex Collins
2. Mike Davis
1. Todd Gurley
quote:
5. Derrick Henry
Is Alabama running back Derrick Henry the most accomplished running back on this list? Of course not. In fact, if we're basing this on returning production, Arkansas' Jonathan Williams, Vanderbilt's Jerron Seymour, Florida's Kelvin Taylor and Henry's own teammate Kenyan Drake would be be just a few of several SEC running backs placed above Henry.
But Henry's lack of production his freshman season was simply due to a lack of opportunity, and not talent.
The world got a glimpse of what Henry was capable of in Alabama's 45-31 loss to Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl, when he busted loose for 100 yards and one touchdown on eight carries. The 6'3", 238-pound monster from Yulee, Fla. has the body size to be a bruiser between the tackles but has game-breaking speed in space.
He'll push incumbent starter T.J. Yeldon for playing time this spring. If Yeldon doesn't fix his fumbling problem, Henry could be the feature running back in Tuscaloosa by the time toe meets leather in the Georgia Dome versus West Virginia on Aug. 30.
quote:
3. TJ Yeldon
Statistically, there's no denying just how good Alabama running back T.J. Yeldon is.
The rising junior for the Crimson Tide broke the 1,000-yard mark in each of his first two seasons in Tuscaloosa, scoring 26 rushing touchdowns in the process. The 6'2", 218-pounder is patient, elusive in space and not only has the size to take the punishment, but the skills to avoid hard hits in tight spaces between the tackles.
But his job is in jeopardy after Derrick Henry's big performance against Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl. Why? Because Yeldon has fumbling issues. He led the Crimson Tide last season with five fumbles, losing four according to Alabama's statistics.
His inability to hold on to the ball and Henry's emergence has put pressure on the Daphne, Ala. native heading into his junior season. If he can hold on to the football, he could go down as one of Alabama's all-time best running backs.
4. Alex Collins
2. Mike Davis
1. Todd Gurley
Posted on 2/26/14 at 11:06 am to TideSaint
Bleacher Report posted a list of 10 players that may be the SEC DPOtY for next season:
quote:
Landon Collins
The former 5-star talent returns to anchor a Crimson Tide defense that lost a slew of All-Americans, but that just means he'll have an even bigger stage to showcase his immense talent.
At 6'0", 215 pounds, the Geismar, La., product is the prototypical safety who boasts elite coverage skills and packs enough punch to punish receivers.
When Vinnie Sunseri went down with an injury in 2013, Collins was saddled with more of a leadership role and wound up making second-team All-SEC sharing the same backfield with Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.
Entering his junior—and likely final—season in college, he will make the leap to stardom and become a household name. With his abilities, Collins already is at the very top of draft boards across the nation.
He finished 2013 with 69 total tackles, four tackles for a loss and two interceptions. Collins also returned one of those picks for a touchdown. He may be the top returning DB in the league in 2014, and it's not a stretch that he'll become the next great Nick Saban-coached DB.
quote:
Trey DePriest
Death, taxes and Alabama All-American linebackers.
The Crimson Tide Football Factory has gotten to the point where it produces at least one nationally-lauded linebacker every season. From Rolando McClain to Dont'a Hightower to C.J. Mosley, Alabama has a knack for churning out star linebackers.
Though he isn't as talented as those guys, the next on the list is sturdy and steady Ohio product Trey DePriest.
With so much talent around him, DePriest hasn't ever really been an every-snap linebacker for Kirby Smart's defense, but Mosley told al.com's Michael Casagrande prior to the Sugar Bowl that DePriest was a player to watch in 2014: "If he comes back like I did, he'll evolve into that every down linebacker role so people will be able to see his true talents," Mosley said.
The 6'2", 245-pound interior 'backer finished with 65 tackles in '13, third-most on the team and good enough to pick up second-team All-Conference honors. Bamaonline.com's Travis Reier (subscription required) said DePriest is "a prime candidate to take over play-calling duties from Mosley."
With Mosley cracking skulls in the NFL, DePriest easily could produce a 100-tackle season and parlay it into a high draft selection.
Posted on 2/26/14 at 11:07 am to TideSaint
quote:
You'd think a program as established and high-performing as Alabama wouldn't need to resort to playing guys fresh out of high school in order to maintain success. And you're right. It's that the Crimson Tide want to play true freshmen.
Alabama's 2014 signing class, rated No. 1 overall by 247Sports, might be one of the best groups of recruits ever assembled. And because of this, many of these guys are expected to see time in 2014. It's why they signed with 'Bama, and past history shows Nick Saban has given time to first-year players who are worthy.
The 2014 class includes six 5-star recruits, two of whom are already in school and will be part of spring practice. Five of the Tide's six 5-star players from 2013 saw action last season, and expect similar contributions from the top recruits this fall.
Top impact true freshmen: CB Tony Brown, LB Rashaan Evans, DE Da'Shawn Hand, CB Marlon Humphrey, S Laurence Jones, OT Cameron Robinson
Posted on 2/26/14 at 11:09 am to TideSaint
Bleacher Report posted 25 potential trap games for next season:
quote:
Alabama at Arkansas (Week 7)
Where/When: Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium (Fayetteville, AR), Saturday, Oct. 11
The Skinny
This will be a trying season for head coach Nick Saban and Alabama. Especially given that the team will be returning a total of just 12 returning starters.
The losses include three-year starting quarterback AJ McCarron and six starters on defense.
That inexperience could end up costing the Tide on the road against Arkansas.
The matchup with the Razorbacks will be the second of four road trips in the span of five games. While Alabama should get up for the first of those games—Ole Miss on Oct. 4—expect the team to take it easy versus Arkansas before facing Texas A&M, Tennessee and LSU.
Helping the Razorbacks cause is the fact that they return 15 starters. That list is led by running back Alex Collins, who head coach Bret Bielema will likely run into the ground in this game.
If the Tide aren’t careful, the end of their dynasty could be punctuated with a premature exclamation point.
Posted on 2/26/14 at 11:11 am to TideSaint
I saw Yeldon and Gurleys career stats the other day. They are almost identical.
Posted on 2/26/14 at 11:12 am to TideSaint
quote:
Justin Hilliard possesses an admirable motor, as the Ohio native flies around the field snap after snap. He's 6'2" and 230 pounds, which is solid size for a linebacker.
The 5-star recruit has good strength to shed blocks, as well as great instincts and vision. He'll thump running backs in the box, but receivers coming across the middle also have to know where Hilliard is at all times.
Schools such as Michigan, Alabama and Notre Dame are in on him, according to 247Sports.
He will be at Junior Day this weekend.
Posted on 2/26/14 at 11:12 am to TideSaint
quote:
At 6'2" and 316 pounds, Daron Payne is simply a load in the trenches. He's raw with his technique and hand-placement, but he has fantastic strength and quickness.
Payne, who is from Alabama, has heavy hands at the point of attack and can get under a blocker's pads to walk him deep into the backfield. He doesn't lose sight of the ball due to his great awareness, so Payne makes a lot of plays other defensive linemen can't.
He'll sign with one of the Iron Bowl schools in all likelihood.
Posted on 2/26/14 at 11:13 am to TideSaint
quote:
Alabama is getting another tough and physical running back with a good skill set in Desherrius Flowers. A 4-star in-state pledge for the Crimson Tide, Flowers checks in at 6'1" and 212 pounds.
Flowers is a decisive runner who doesn't waste a large amount of time getting to the hole. He dares defenders to come challenge him, and he lowers his shoulder to power through them when they do.
Posted on 2/26/14 at 11:13 am to TideSaint
quote:
The more 5-star defensive tackle Tim Settle is studied, the more it's believed he could be a rare plug-and-play prospect in the defensive trenches.
Settle, who is from Virginia, is nearly 6'4" and weighs 305 pounds. With the type of strength, power, toughness and physicality he has, he can play in any type of scheme.
Alabama, Virginia and Ohio State are his top schools, per 247Sports.
Posted on 2/26/14 at 11:13 am to TideSaint
quote:
Trey DePriest
Death, taxes and Alabama All-American linebackers.
The Crimson Tide Football Factory has gotten to the point where it produces at least one nationally-lauded linebacker every season. From Rolando McClain to Dont'a Hightower to C.J. Mosley, Alabama has a knack for churning out star linebackers.
Though he isn't as talented as those guys, the next on the list is sturdy and steady Ohio product Trey DePriest.
With so much talent around him, DePriest hasn't ever really been an every-snap linebacker for Kirby Smart's defense, but Mosley told al.com's Michael Casagrande prior to the Sugar Bowl that DePriest was a player to watch in 2014: "If he comes back like I did, he'll evolve into that every down linebacker role so people will be able to see his true talents," Mosley said.
The 6'2", 245-pound interior 'backer finished with 65 tackles in '13, third-most on the team and good enough to pick up second-team All-Conference honors. Bamaonline.com's Travis Reier (subscription required) said DePriest is "a prime candidate to take over play-calling duties from Mosley."
With Mosley cracking skulls in the NFL, DePriest easily could produce a 100-tackle season and parlay it into a high draft selection.
I think DePriest is about to emerge. Over the last five games of the season, he played at a really high level, and one could argue he played just as good if not better than Mosley over that stretch. If he can win the third down spot (Dillon Lee seems to be the other option), he'll be at least All-SEC.
Posted on 2/26/14 at 11:14 am to TideSaint
quote:
Settle, who is from Virginia, is nearly 6'4" and weighs 305 pounds. With the type of strength, power, toughness and physicality he has, he can play in any type of scheme
Dat quickness too.
Posted on 2/26/14 at 11:15 am to TreyAnastasio
quote:
I saw Yeldon and Gurleys career stats the other day. They are almost identical.
Yeldon is really, really good. If he fixes his fumbling issues he will be the best back in the conference a la Eddie Lacy in 2012.
Posted on 2/26/14 at 11:16 am to TideSaint
quote:
Landon Collins
The former 5-star talent returns to anchor a Crimson Tide defense that lost a slew of All-Americans, but that just means he'll have an even bigger stage to showcase his immense talent.
At 6'0", 215 pounds, the Geismar, La., product is the prototypical safety who boasts elite coverage skills and packs enough punch to punish receivers.
When Vinnie Sunseri went down with an injury in 2013, Collins was saddled with more of a leadership role and wound up making second-team All-SEC sharing the same backfield with Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.
Entering his junior—and likely final—season in college, he will make the leap to stardom and become a household name. With his abilities, Collins already is at the very top of draft boards across the nation.
He finished 2013 with 69 total tackles, four tackles for a loss and two interceptions. Collins also returned one of those picks for a touchdown. He may be the top returning DB in the league in 2014, and it's not a stretch that he'll become the next great Nick Saban-coached DB.
If he's putting in the work in the film room and really working hard, he's going to be the best Safety in the country in 2014. The talent he has is insane.
Posted on 2/26/14 at 11:17 am to TideSaint
quote:
CeCe Jefferson is a 5-star defensive end who can play on the weak or strong-side. At 6'2" and 250 pounds, the Florida native isn't the biggest edge-defender in the nation, but he has a great combination of quickness and strength.
Jefferson can jump on top of blockers at the snap, as well as convert speed to power. His explosiveness helps him generate more force when he tackles, which allows him to light up ball-carriers when he gets a chance.
He's expected to sign with Florida, says 247Sports.
He named us his leader at one point last year. I wouldn't pencil him in with Florida just yet.
Posted on 2/26/14 at 11:17 am to TideSaint
quote:
An explosive 5-star defensive tackle, Trent Thompson is the No. 1 player in the 2015 247Sports composite rankings.
The Georgia native is known around the Peach State as a 6'4", 292-pound problem. Thompson not only beats blockers off the ball with quickness, he also has a punch with a ton of shock value at the point of attack.
He can anchor in the trenches, but Thompson can also toss blockers aside with power to get clean. He's a physical terror with a ton of potential.
Georgia could very well have the inside track.
He will be in Tuscaloosa this weekend too.
Posted on 2/26/14 at 11:17 am to TideSaint
If we lost to Arky:
Posted on 2/26/14 at 11:21 am to chattabama
Saban owns Arkansas. Not too worried.
Posted on 2/26/14 at 11:27 am to TreyAnastasio
If anything I see the OM game as more of a potential trap than Arky. I know history shows Bama owns OM, but it will be our first year qbs first road game and OM had decent pressure on the line. Thankfully we have an open date beforehand.
Posted on 2/26/14 at 11:32 am to chattabama
I agree with OM being more of a trap game than Arky. They always play us tough.
We need for DePriest to emerge and be an All-American player and leader on D
We need for DePriest to emerge and be an All-American player and leader on D
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