re: Spring Practice thread

in terms of being a true running back like we've seen with tre, CAP, barber, and Jovon?... Even if healthy, roc is likely the #2 guy. Kerryon got more touches because of his versatility... slot, wildcat, etc. Thomas actually had more yards from scrimmage last year. I would expect that to continue next year, especially with barber gone (not to mention johnsons shoulder).

I think it's pretty clear (because of his size) roc will the the #2 back next year, backing up jovon...with KJ continuing as a versatile weapon on the corners. Keep in mind, Johnson probably isn't putting on good weight right now bc of the shoulder issue... and Thomas is getting all those spring reps.

but we'll see... I've been wrong before.

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Roc Thomas is anything but the clear #2.

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I really think he is though. Mostly because we have no other options at this point. With Barber leaving, it left us with only two true possibilities for a back to carry the inside load. We have proven that we need a back who can pound in side 15-20 times a game if we want to succeed. We know Robinson can do that but it is yet to be determined if Roc can do that successfully.

KJ is not that type of back and with his limited playing time and size, he is unlikely to be that guy.

After Roc, we are running completely unproven backs which is usually not good. I was surprised that we did not get a feature back this class. Just not sure when we knew about Barber leaving.

I don't get this whole size thing with kerryon and roc. Kerryon is listed at 6'1 195 and roc is listed at 5'10 205.

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I don't get this whole size thing with kerryon and roc. Kerryon is listed at 6'1 195 and roc is listed at 5'10 205.

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Well, its been obvious with Malzahn's offense that the bigger player will be the inside runner.

In 2010, the inside option was Newton and the outside option was Dyer/McCalleb.

2011 and 2012 never happened.

In 2013-14, the inside option was Mason/Artis-Payne and the outside option was Marshall.

In 2015, there were no options, but Barber and Robinson provided a heavy dose of inside running.

If you go back to Louisville game Roc was actually running ball pretty hard in between tackles. He looked strong early on until going down with injury averaging 4.5 yds per carry. With that said it's pretty clear Jovon has the ability to be an elite back. I imagine he will get the majority of the carries if he stays out of doghouse. Kerryon will probably continue to do what he did last season and Roc will fill in to give Jovon some breathers. I hope we continue to find ways to use him in the passing game though. With his speed he can get some mismatches and blow by them.

Between Roc & Kerryon though I think Kerryon has the higher ceiling. He needs to get a bit bigger in my opinion to be every down option. I think Roc's year is next season tho

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I think its more of a body type thing. Kerryon is three inches taller and 10 pounds lighter by those numbers. Neither are really ideal for inside runs but Roc is closer.

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I agree with you.

I just do not think either is built for the inside pounding.

Projected depth chart released today by AL.com.

Didn't think this needed its own thread. Looks about right to me. Only things that stood out to me, which doesn't mean I necessarily don't like them, are Tim Irvin at WLB and a couple of the receiver groups.

OFFENSE

QUARTERBACK
John Franklin III, Jr., OR
Jeremy Johnson, Sr., OR
Sean White, So.
Tyler Queen, R-Fr.

RUNNING BACK
Jovon Robinson, Sr.
Roc Thomas, Jr.
Kerryon Johnson, So. (out due to shoulder surgery)
Malik Miller, Fr.

H-BACK
Chandler Cox, So.
Kamryn Pettway, So.

TIGHT END
Jalen Harris, So.
Landon Rice, Fr.

SPLIT END
Tony Stevens, Sr.
Darius Slayton, R-Fr.

FLANKER
Marcus Davis, Sr.
Kyle Davis, Fr.

SLOT
Jason Smith, Jr.
Stanton Truitt, So.
Ryan Davis, So.

Y/BIG SLOT
Tony Stevens, Sr.
Kyle Davis, Fr.

LEFT TACKLE
Robert Leff, Sr.
Jordan Diamond, Sr.
Darius James, Jr.
Bailey Sharp, R-Fr.

LEFT GUARD
Alex Kozan, Sr.
Jordan Diamond, Sr.
Marquel Harrell, R-Fr.

CENTER
Austin Golson, Jr.
Xavier Dampeer, Sr.
Kaleb Kim, R-Fr.

RIGHT GUARD
Braden Smith, Jr.
Jordan Diamond, Sr.
Deon Mix, Jr.
Tyler Carr, R-Fr.

RIGHT TACKLE
Darius James, Jr.
Mike Horton, R-Fr.
Braden Smith, Jr.

DEFENSE
DEFENSIVE END
Byron Cowart, So.
Prince Tega Wanogho Jr., R-Fr., OR
Marlon Davidson, Fr.
Andrew Williams, So.
Paul James III, Jr. (out due to foot injury, could return this week)

DEFENSIVE NOSE TACKLE
Montravius Adams, Sr.
Maurice Swain, Sr.
Jaunta’vius Johnson, R-Fr., OR
Antwuan Jackson Jr., Fr.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Dontavius Russell, So., OR
Devaroe Lawrence, Sr.
Aaron Garrison, Jr.

BUCK END
Carl Lawson, Jr.
Jeff Holland, So.
Raashed Kennion, Jr.
Justin Thomas-Thornton, So.

STRONG-SIDE LINEBACKER
DeShaun Davis, So., OR
Cameron Toney, Jr.
Richard McBryde, R-Fr.
Tre Threat, Fr.

MIDDLE LINEBACKER
Tre’ Williams, Jr.
Darrell Williams, So.

WEAK-SIDE LINEBACKER/NICKEL
Tim Irvin, So.
Montavious Atkinson, So.

BOUNDARY CORNERBACK
Carlton Davis, So.
John Broussard Jr., Fr.
Michael Sherwood, Jr.

STRONG SAFETY
Stephen Roberts, Jr.
Tray Matthews, Jr. (out due to shoulder surgery)
Josh Holsey, Sr. (out due to knee surgery, expected to be limited)

FREE SAFETY
Rudy Ford, Sr. (out due to sickness, could return this week)
Nick Ruffin, Jr.
Markell Boston, So.

FIELD CORNERBACK
Jamel Dean, R-Fr.
T.J. Davis, Sr.
Javaris Davis, R-Fr.
Jeremiah Dinson, So. (out due to knee surgery)

PUNT RETURN
Marcus Davis, Sr.
Jason Smith, Jr.
Ryan Davis, So.
Javaris Davis, R-Fr.

KICKOFF RETURN
Kyle Davis, Fr.
Stanton Truitt, So.

KICKER
Daniel Carlson, Jr.
Ian Shannon, R-Fr.

PUNTER
Kevin Phillips, Sr.
Ian Shannon, R-Fr.

LINK /

we have bama and georgia fans that altered their way into our homeboard

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QUARTERBACK
John Franklin III, Jr., OR
Jeremy Johnson, Sr., OR
Sean White, So.
Tyler Queen, R-Fr.

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frick.......

I thought the same thing. Soon as I posted it and it got immediately downvoted I thought I must have done something wrong