Started By
Message
1
Posted on 3/12/14 at 9:19 am to TideSaint
Posted on 3/12/14 at 9:25 am to TideSaint
so lets go recruit an ot thats not going to require a complete body mass transformation before hes ready to compete in the sec
Posted on 3/12/14 at 9:30 am to narddogg81
quote:
Deionte Thompson is a legitimate SEC-level prospect at two positions. Thompson nearly claimed the day's wide receiver MVP award, but switched to defensive back and shined brightly there. In the end, his split reps caused him to miss out on the MVP train, but he was invited to the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge presented by Under Armour as a safety.
The Alabama commit's athleticism is off the charts and that, combined with his 6-foot-2 frame, makes him as versatile a prospect as there is in the country. Some players play defensive back because they don't have the hands to make it at wide receiver. That's not the case with Thompson, who could legitimately play either side of the ball in the mighty SEC.
Posted on 3/12/14 at 9:30 am to narddogg81
Why was there any reason to trust Dabo anyway? After all he was the Bag man on Dubose staff, his comments when he laughed at Saban possibly hiring him in 2007, his comments pre Bama/Clemson in 2008, Nkemdiche, and now this. And to think some people wanted him to be Bama's coach one day.
Posted on 3/12/14 at 9:52 am to Libertyabides71
Bleacher Report (Sanjay Kirpalani) power ranked our targets for the 2015 class yesterday:
quote:
10. Tim Settle
Nick Saban has struck gold in the last two recruiting classes when pursuing 5-star defensive linemen in the state of Virginia.
After landing standout defensive ends Jonathan Allen and Da’Shawn Hand, Saban is hoping to pull off the hat trick with 5-star defensive tackle Tim Settle.
Settle, who visited Tuscaloosa last summer for Saban’s camp, admits that the thought of teaming up with his good friend Hand is appealing.
The Tide will have to fend off the likes of Ohio State, Clemson, Virginia and Florida State to land the talented Settle.
Posted on 3/12/14 at 9:52 am to TideSaint
quote:
9. Devonaire Clarington
Rising sophomore O.J. Howard is clearly the future at tight end for the Tide for at least the next two seasons, but the Tide could be looking for his eventual replacement in the 2015 cycle.
Alabama has had success recently in pulling elite skill players out of the talent-rich state of Florida such as Amari Cooper, Chris Black and Derrick Henry. They will try to continue that trend by luring 4-star tight end Devonaire Clarington to Tuscaloosa.
Clarington, who is ranked as the nation’s No. 2 tight end according to 247 Sports, is an early target with an Alabama offer who was visited by assistant Mario Cristobal in late January.
While the hometown Miami Hurricanes appear to be the early favorite, Clarington is an elite talent who will be heavily pursued by the top programs in the country. Expect the Tide to remain in the thick of the race with Clarington.
Posted on 3/12/14 at 9:53 am to TideSaint
quote:
8. Jovon Robinson
The running back position has become an integral part of the Tide’s identity in the Saban era, and it continues to be a strength with the likes of T.J. Yeldon and Derrick Henry operating out of the backfield.
However, the search to find the next elite back and Alabama has tendered eight offers to touted rushers in recent weeks, according to Tim Watts of BamaOnline (subscription required).
Presumably at the front of that list is 5-star JUCO running back Javon Robinson, who rushed for 2,387 yards and 34 touchdowns last season.
As Kipp Adams of 247Sports (subscription required) details, Alabama is the school currently assumed to be the favorite to land the 5’11”, 220-pounder.
Posted on 3/12/14 at 9:54 am to TideSaint
quote:
7. Leo Lewis
With upperclassmen such as senior Trey DePriest and junior Reggie Ragland headlining the Tide’s group of inside linebackers, restocking the roster with middle linebackers is a priority for Saban and Smart in 2015.
Brookhaven, Miss. 4-star linebacker Leo Lewis is one the Tide’s early targets in the middle.
The 6’3”, 225-pounder, who racked up 100 tackles last season, has Alabama and Mississippi State atop his early list of favorites.
According to Trevor Hewett of BamaOnline (subscription required), Lewis was impressed with the program after his January visit for the Tide’s first junior day.
Video
Posted on 3/12/14 at 9:54 am to TideSaint
quote:
6. Trent Thompson
Alabama has targeted the defensive line heavily in its last two recruiting classes, and the 2015 cycle appears to be business as usual with defensive line coach Bo Davis looking to add more elite talents to his unit.
5-star defensive tackle Trent Thompson, who is ranked as the nation’s No. 1 player according to 247Sports Composite Rankings, is a target that visited Tuscaloosa earlier this month for the Tide’s junior day.
As Kipp Adams of 247Sports notes, the visit had a profound impact on Thompson, who called it, “probably the best visit I have had so far.”
Home-standing Georgia is still his leader, but Alabama, Auburn and Florida State lead the pack of powers trying to lure Thompson away from the Peach State.
Posted on 3/12/14 at 9:55 am to TideSaint
quote:
5. Minkah Fitzpatrick
By signing Tony Brown and Marlon Humphrey in the 2014 class, Alabama reloaded its corner position with two players capable of making an instant impact. However, expect Saban and defensive coordinator Kirby Smart to once again place an emphasis on targeting top flight corners in the 2015 cycle.
At the top of that list is New Jersey 5-star corner Minkah Fitzpatrick, who checks in as the nation’s No. 4 corner.
The 6’0”, 185-pounder visited the Capstone in January for the Tide’s first junior day. In the early stages of his recruitment, Alabama makes up one of the top schools on his list along with the likes of South Carolina, Ohio State and Florida State.
Posted on 3/12/14 at 9:55 am to TideSaint
quote:
4. Kerryon Johnson
With Landon Collins a candidate to leave for the NFL after the 2014 season and Nick Perry set to graduate, safety becomes a primary position of need in the 2015 cycle.
Alabama already has a commitment from Deionte Thompson, but in-state athlete Kerryon Johnson—who can also play running back—is a dynamic talent who could make an impact on either side of the ball in college.
Alabama, Auburn and Florida State make up the top three choices for Johnson, who is slated to visit Tuscaloosa next weekend according to BamaOnline (subscription required).
Posted on 3/12/14 at 9:55 am to TideSaint
quote:
3. Richie Petitbon
Alabama loaded up on the offensive line in the 2014 class. However, only one (Montel McBride) of its six signees is slated to begin his career at guard.
The Tide are firmly in the mix to land Washington D.C. 4-star guard Richie Petitbon, who has visited Tuscaloosa twice in the past year according to BamaOnline (subscription required).
Alabama is at the top of his list, along with schools such as Penn State, LSU and Maryland.
Expect the Tide to be in the thick of the race to land the nation’s No. 4 guard prospect in the 2015 class.
Posted on 3/12/14 at 9:56 am to TideSaint
quote:
2. CeCe Jefferson
After struggling to land impact defensive ends early in his tenure at Alabama, Saban has landed dynamic edge rushers Jonathan Allen and Da’Shawn Hand in the last two years.
Saban is hoping to keep that trend moving forward by landing 5-star defensive end CeCe Jefferson, the top pass-rusher in the Sunshine State.
Jefferson, who racked up 15 sacks as a sophomore, has Alabama, Florida, Florida State and Georgia among his early leaders.
As noted by BamaOnline (subscription required), the Tide and the Gators are believed to be the front-runners for the talented 6’2”, 250-pounder.
Posted on 3/12/14 at 9:56 am to TideSaint
quote:
1. Daron Payne
Alabama is in the thick of the race for three of the nation’s top six defensive tackle prospects in the 2015 cycle.
However, with in-state 5-star standout Daron Payne hailing from nearby Birmingham, Saban has zeroed in on keeping the 6’3”, 316-pounder close to home.
The race to land Payne, who has already accepted an invitation to play in the 2015 U.S. Army All-American game, appears to be another battle between in-state rivals Alabama and Auburn.
As noted by Bryan Matthews of AuburnUndercover (subscription required), confirmed that his decision will likely come down to the Tide and Tigers.
Posted on 3/12/14 at 11:00 am to TideSaint
Bleacher Report also compared Alabama and Auburn, by position, for the spring:
quote:
Quarterback
Alabama
Florida State transfer Jacob Coker seems far more likely to start next year for Alabama than to sit the bench, but he won’t be with the Crimson Tide for spring practice.
Coker, who is scheduled to graduate from Florida State in May and would be eligible to immediately play this fall, won’t even be on campus during drills.
As a result, Coker isn’t factored into the position-by-position comparison.
Plenty of talent will compete to replace AJ McCarron, headlined by last year’s backup Blake Sims.
Other returning quarterbacks with experience in the system include Alec Morris, Parker McLeod and Cooper Bateman.
David Cornwell, rated by 247Sports as a 4-star signee, enrolled early to compete for the starting spot as well, though he is coming off of ACL surgery.
Sims is the only quarterback on Alabama’s roster who has attempted a collegiate pass.
This position serves as perhaps the greatest question mark in Tuscaloosa this spring.
Auburn
Nick Marshall becomes the first Auburn quarterback to enter spring practice entrenched as the starter since Brandon Cox in 2007.
Having a returning starter will also be a new feeling for coach Gus Malzahn, who mentors the same starting quarterback for consecutive years for the first time in his college coaching career.
The Tigers opened the last seven seasons with different starting quarterbacks, yielding varying high and low results.
Can Marshall bring Auburn to stability?
That all depends on how much he progresses during spring practice.
There’s no questioning Marshall’s ability to break games as a rusher.
For Auburn to weather a brutal schedule, though, Marshall will need to develop as a passer.
Far too often, Marshall misfired on passes—specifically on middle routes.
He gave Auburn a lethal, albeit inconsistent, deep passing game, but better accuracy could have resulted in an even more potent offensive attack.
Auburn will have a dynamic offense even if Marshall doesn’t progress at all as a passer.
If he does, the Tigers attack could be scary good.
Advantage: Auburn
Posted on 3/12/14 at 11:01 am to TideSaint
quote:
Running back
Alabama
If quarterback is an area of concern for the Crimson Tide this spring, tailback is the exact opposite.
T.J. Yeldon, Kenyan Drake and Derrick Henry took turns showing out as all-SEC worthy talents last season.
All three return having accounted for 2,311 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns in 2013.
Yeldon, a first-team all-SEC selection, rushed for 1,235 of those yards and posted six 100-yard performances in 12 games.
He did, however, have fumbling issues resurface toward the end of the season, which he will want to correct this spring.
Drake served as Yeldon’s primary understudy and ran for 80 yards or more four times.
While Yeldon and Drake have the experience, Henry will likely be the fan favorite.
He emerged as Alabama’s greatest offensive weapon during the Sugar Bowl loss to Oklahoma, rushing for 100 yards and a touchdown on eight rushes and adding a 61-yard touchdown reception.
Defenses will have their hands full regardless of which talented back gets the ball next fall.
Auburn
Tre Mason’s early departure to the NFL leaves a void at tailback, but Auburn should have the horses to fill it quickly—especially in Gus Malzahn’s offense.
Who will emerge as the primary back remains to be seen but plenty of viable options will get chances this spring.
Cameron Artis-Payne ran for 610 yards and six touchdowns last season after transferring in from junior college. He is the bigger, more physical back, though he had fumbling issues in 2013.
Corey Grant, who transferred from Alabama, is the home-run threat. The question is, can he be an every-down back or is he better on the edge like Onterio McCalebb, who was the speed back before Grant?
Mason declared redshirt freshman Peyton Barber as the most likely candidate to break out in 2014.
Johnathan Ford, another redshirt freshman, has great athleticism as displayed when he filled in at cornerback because of glaring depth issues.
A potential favorite for the starting spot, incoming 5-star freshman Racean Thomas, won’t be on campus this spring.
Advantage: Alabama
Posted on 3/12/14 at 11:01 am to TideSaint
quote:
WR/TE
Alabama
Receiver Amari Cooper and tight end O.J. Howard should be stars next year, regardless of who throws them passes.
Add Christion Jones and DeAndrew White to the mix and it’s easy to see the Crimson Tide will have weapons in the passing game.
Cooper endured a “down” season in 2013, partly because he had to work through toe and foot injuries. He still accounted for 736 yards—299 when he got healthy over the final two games of the season—and four touchdowns.
Cooper showed off his game-breaking talent early in the fourth quarter against Auburn when he hauled in a 99-yard touchdown pass.
Howard obviously doesn’t fit in this group. He only caught 14 passes, though with a 19.2-yard average, as a freshman.
Look for the starting tight end to make moves toward superstardom in 2014.
Jones and White both add solid depth. They combined for 883 yards and six touchdowns last year.
Another young pass-catcher to watch is Robert Foster, who took a redshirt last year but seems poised to break out on the scene in a big way.
Cameron Sims, a true freshman who enrolled early, should also get a look.
Auburn
Sammie Coates opened the season as strictly a deep threat but developed more as a mid-range option as the year progressed.
He is the unquestioned leader of Auburn’s receiving corps after leading the team in receptions (42), yards (902) and touchdowns (7).
The biggest difference-maker could well be junior-college transfer D’haquille Williams. 247Sports rated Williams, who is already enrolled at Auburn, as the top junior-college prospect in the nation.
Al.com’s Joel Erickson opined that Williams could make a splash comparable to that of former Tennessee receiver Cordarrelle Patterson in 2012.
Ricardo Louis will forever be remembered for his game-winning touchdown catch against Georgia.
His big-play upside will continue to warrant chances—especially in the short-passing game and on end-arounds—but he needs to develop more consistent hands.
Tight end C.J. Uzomah caught only 11 passes last year but finished as a third-team all-SEC selection. He hauled in another game-winner—this one in the final seconds against Mississippi State.
Freshmen Tony Stevens and Marcus Davis should get the opportunities this spring to grow into their considerable potential.
Advantage: Alabama
Posted on 3/12/14 at 11:01 am to TideSaint
quote:
O-Line
Alabama
Just when Alabama looks like it could take a step back along the offensive line, it makes a huge move in recruiting, like landing Cameron Robinson, heralded by 247Sports as the top lineman.
Robinson will be one of several contenders—a group that includes possible rising star Grant Hill—to replace Cyrus Kouandjio.
Both Kouandjio and guard Anthony Steen are headed for NFL careers, but three linemen return.
Guard Arie Kouandjio, center Ryan Kelly and tackle Austin Shepherd will be back to anchor the Crimson Tide line.
Kelly should rank among the best centers in the conference.
It’s now or never for Leon Brown, a junior-college transfer who came to Tuscaloosa with high expectations. He filled in—to mixed results—for Steen during the Sugar Bowl.
Alabama’s offensive looked horrible in its loss to Oklahoma.
Some will say the unit was exposed during the Sugar Bowl.
Others will realize even the best teams have horrible nights.
Regardless of which side you take, it’s clear to see there is work to do along a line losing two of its top performers.
Auburn
Losing star tackle Greg Robinson hurts to be sure, but the Tigers do return four starting offensive linemen including center Reese Dismukes.
Auburn returns 101 starts along the offensive line, which opened holes for the nation’s top rushing attack.
The biggest question will be who replaces Robinson.
Avery Young could move from right tackle to left. Al.com’s Joel Erickson wrote Shon Coleman—a former 5-star prospect—and Patrick Miller will likely battle for the other tackle spot.
Dismukes will be among the best centers in the league again.
Guards Chad Slade and Alex Kozan gave Auburn a formidable interior offensive line that should only continue to develop and improve in 2014.
Advantage: Auburn
Posted on 3/12/14 at 11:02 am to TideSaint
quote:
D-Line
Alabama
A’Shawn Robinson will start this season for the Crimson Tide. It’s simply a matter of where.
Robinson spent 2013 impressing as a defensive end, where he racked up 5.5 sacks as a true freshman.
However, he could also find a home at nose tackle—especially if Alabama wants to go smaller along the line.
If Robinson stays on the edge, Brandon Ivory will battle junior-college transfer Jarran Reed for the starting position at nose tackle.
The other end position is up for grabs.
Al.com’s Michael Casagrande predicted junior-college transfer D.J. Pettway, Jonathan Allen and Dalvin Tomlinson would duke it out in spring practice.
Don’t discount Dee Liner—a highly rated 4-star prospect from the Class of 2013—as a potential difference-maker.
Auburn
Defensive end Dee Ford posted a sensational career season as a senior.
Auburn is in great position to reload while trying to replace him, too.
Carl Lawson and Elijah Daniel both showed a lot of promise during their true freshmen seasons.
Lawson, in particular, looks like a potential superstar. He posted 20 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, four sacks and seven quarterback hurries in 2013.
LaDarius Owens, back for his senior season, started 12 games a year ago. He came to Auburn as a huge prospect and has one final chance to live up to his considerable hype.
Tackle Gabe Wright showed flashes of being a star, recording 8.5 TFLs.
The vacant tackle spot left by Nosa Eguae seems to set up a battle between Ben Bradley, Angelo Blackson and Montravius Adams—another true freshman who made an impact in 2013.
Advantage: Push
Page 99 of 867
Latest Alabama News
Popular
Back to top
Follow SECRant for SEC Football News