re: 2013 Alabama Football Recruiting Thread - DH Decommited from UGA

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That kid is awfully slim

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Check out the block at the 0:38 second mark!

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ETA: 9700

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Stout would LOVE to get him and give him hookers and cocaine

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Stout would LOVE to get him and give him hookers and cocaine


FIFY

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With six Crimson Tide defensive backs chosen in the NFL Draft in the last four years, Alabama has earned a reputation as arguably the nation's top producer of talent in the secondary. Nick Saban and his staff have made defensive back a major position of priority on the recruiting trail every year at Alabama and the Class of 2013 figures to be no different, according to BamaOnline recruiting analyst Tim Watts. "Nick Saban is very particular when it comes to the defensive back positions. Especially corners," Watts said. "All told I think they will add four, maybe five when all is said and done. In every class they look for a couple of elite guys at those positions."

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2011 overall record: 12-1
2011 conference record: 7-1 (T-2nd)

Returning starters: Offense: 7; defense: 5; kicker/punter: 2

Top returners
QB AJ McCarron, RB Eddie Lacy, C Barrett Jones, T Cyrus Kouandjio, T D.J. Fluker, G Chance Warmack, G Anthony Steen, LB Nico Johnson, LB C.J. Mosley, S Robert Lester, NG Jesse Williams

Key losses
RB Trent Richardson, WR Marquis Maze, HB Brad Smelley, C William Vlachos, DE/LB Courtney Upshaw, LB Dont'a Hightower, S Mark Barron, CB Dre Kirkpatrick, NG Josh Chapman

2011 statistical leaders (*returners)

Rushing: Trent Richardson (1,679 yards)
Passing: AJ McCarron* (2,634 yards)
Receiving: Marquis Maze (627 yards)
Tackles: Dont'a Hightower (85)
Sacks: Courtney Upshaw (9.5)
Interceptions: Dee Milliner* (3)

Spring answers

1. McCarron taking ownership: The junior signal caller had a voice in the Alabama locker room in 2011, but this spring he seems to have dialed up the volume. Many of the leaders from last year’s team are gone and it’s up to McCarron to keep an offense that is as inexperienced as it is talented on track. Coach Nick Saban had praised his command under center during spring practice and all signs point to the tall righty taking the offense and making it his.

2. Linebackers coming together: Adrian Hubbard put on a show at A-Day in April, posting three sacks against the first-team offense. The 6-foot-6, 248-pound linebacker has big shoes to fill with Dont'a Hightower and Courtney Upshaw both off to the NFL. Given his solid spring, defensive coordinator Kirby Smart can check off one of those spots.

3. Stable of backs: Trent Richardson is gone, but that doesn't mean the running back corps can't improve in other ways, namely depth. While projected starter Eddie Lacy missed the spring recovering from offseason surgery, it gave other the chance to step up. Jalston Fowler is a bulldozer at tailback, Dee Hart a speedy slasher and freshman T.J. Yeldon a little bit of both. Yeldon had a coming out party at A-Day, rushing for 88 yards and catching five passes for 91 yards and two touchdowns.

Fall questions

1. Wide receiver options: The unit will be more explosive than in years past, but it will also be more inexperienced. How true freshmen Amari Cooper and Chris Black continue to develop will be key. Both had good springs and will help provide depth to sophomores Christion Jones and DeAndrew White, and juniors Kevin Norwood and Kenny Bell.

2. Secondary shaping up: Nick Saban and Kirby Smart have to replace three positions in the secondary and beginning this spring, the results have been good. Vinnie Sunseri and Ha'Sean Clinton Dix are two talented underclassmen ready to play alongside Robert Lester at safety. Meanwhile Dee Milliner moves into a starting role and will likely line up alongside either junior college transfer Travell Dixon or Deion Belue.

3. Special teams: By fall, we likely mean the season opener. By all indications, kickers Jeremy Shelley and Cade Foster had good springs, but neither were forced to do much at A-Day and we won't know their true improvement until the lights go up in Arlington, Texas. Shelley proved a lot in the BCS title game but there are still concerns whether the kicking game will be a handicap, as it was last year, or a boon to an offense with a fresh start. Keep an eye on incoming freshman Adam Griffith, who is expected to get a look at placekicker.

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While defending national champion Alabama is down a handful of stellar defensive starters from last season's historic season, the Crimson Tide can't be counted out. The defense has more than capable players ready to fill holes. Nico Johnson and C.J. Mosley are ready to take over at linebacker, while Jesse Williams and Damion Square will lead up front. The secondary still has veterans Dee Milliner and Robert Lester and welcomes junior college studs Deion Belue and Travell Dixon.

"We're going to be younger on defense. We don't have as much experience, but we've got some good players," coach Nick Saban said.

"I was pleased with the progress that we made -- not satisfied with where we need to be."

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Alabama's AJ McCarron demonstrated in the BCS National Championship Game what he's capable of and is poised to have a big junior season.

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Best performance by a true freshman: They're churning out great running backs these days at Alabama. T.J. Yeldon looks like he's going to be the next one. He was sensational in the Crimson Tide's A-Day spring game with 179 rushing/receiving yards, including a 50-yard touchdown after catching a short pass, breaking a tackle and then outrunning everybody to the end zone. He certainly caught Nick Saban's attention this spring. At 6-foot-2 and 216 pounds, Yeldon can run inside and outside. He catches the ball well, and as Saban noted, is one of those guys who can do everything.

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