Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Alabama freshmen who will make an impact in 2014

When it comes to recruiting, Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide have the market cornered.

Signing the No. 1 class in the nation for 2014, 'Bama will rely on several true freshmen to play integral roles this fall.

Whether it be due to lack of depth at certain positions, no proven starter, or simply an individual skill set that can't be held back, here are five notable players who will likely see substantial playing time as true freshmen.

Tony Brown - Defensive Back

As one of the most decorated high school players in the nation, Tony Brown is a five-star talent with a five-star future. After enrolling in January, Brown participated in spring practice in Tuscaloosa and made a major impact. Noted for his athletic ability, size, and great cover skills, Brown has the opportunity to compete for a starting position at defensive back, a position that could use an immediate playmaker.
Da'Shawn Hand - Defensive End

Giving his verbal commitment to the University of Alabama in the fall of 2013, Da'Shawn Hand is one of the Crimson Tide's most coveted players from the 2014 signing class. With his ability to rush the passer, a much needed attribute, Hand has the body type and skill set to play defensive end as well as linebacker. Quite fast for his size, Hand has exhibited similar traits to that of Jadeveon Clowney, the former University of South Carolina defensive monster, and No. 1 selection in the 2014 NFL Draft. Barring something unforeseen, expect Da'Shawn Hand to see the field in various capacities as a true freshman.
Marlon Humphrey - Defensive Back

As noted ad nauseam since the day he inked with the Crimson Tide, Marlon Humphrey will arrive in Tuscaloosa with very high expectations. Much like Tony Brown, Humphrey is expected to fill a vital need within the Alabama secondary. With great size, speed, and cover skills, Humphrey has all the physical attributes and intangibles to be a star. The son of Alabama legend Bobby Humphrey, the pride of Hoover, Alabama has the opportunity to make some serious waves this fall.
Cameron Robinson - Offensive Lineman

Every team needs talented "beef" up front, and Cam Robinson has all the makings of a stalwart within the Alabama offensive line. Regarded as one of the top prospects in the nation, Robinson, an early enrollee, impressed the masses with his work in spring practice. With Robinson's size and agility, the five-star talent could very well earn a starting role across the front line once preseason camp comes to a close.
JK Scott - Kicker/Punter

While certainly not the most glamorous position on the field, JK Scott will be an early contributor this season simply because Alabama does not return a proven punter from the 2013 team. With the departure of veteran Cody Mandell due to graduation, the starting job will essentially be Scott's to lose.
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Posted by The Crimson Elephant at 10:53 PM 0 comments

Friday, June 27, 2014

'Bama should be in "good hands" this season at WR

While Alabama's quarterback situation will continue to be a prominent topic of discussion this offseason, the plethora of targets UA's eventual quarterback will have to throw to has been well established.

With arguably the best crop of receivers in the SEC, and quite possibly the nation before 2014 is over, 'Bama is poised to have a statistical juggernaut when it comes to the passing game if the Crimson Tide can cement a confident and efficient starting quarterback.

Blending familiar and proven talent with highly touted freshmen, UA will form what can only be considered a dream for the Crimson Tide offense, and a certifiable nightmare for any defensive secondary.

Prominent players

Amari Cooper
Christion Jones
DeAndrew White

Emerging talent

Chris Black
Raheem Falkins
Robert Foster (Redshirt Freshman)
Derek Kief (True Freshman)
Cameron Sims (True Freshman)
ArDarius Stewart (Redshirt Freshman)

Departures from 2013

Kenny Bell
Kevin Norwood

If Amari Cooper wasn't already the "headliner" of Alabama's talented receiving unit prior to this season, with the departure of playmaker Kevin Norwood, Cooper will almost certainly be the star attraction in 2014. Faced with lofty expectations as the season approaches, Cooper will be looked upon to make the big receptions at the most critical times.
Joining Cooper, to likely form Alabama's main trio, will be Christion Jones and DeAndrew White. Barring something unforeseen, Cooper, Jones, and White should garner most of the receptions in 2014. Chris Black will also vie for significant playing time as well, within this core unit.
In respect to the supporting cast, the talent pool is deep, yet the rotation is quite the mystery as of the present time. While too early to tell who will make an impact, and too early to tell which, if any, true freshmen will be given a redshirt, one can only speculate that players such as Raheem Falkins, Robert Foster, and Cameron Sims will be three of the highly touted receivers who will contend for respectable minutes this season.

As was the case in 2013, Alabama is loaded at wide receiver. If the UA offensive line can be stout in the trenches, and the Crimson Tide can find a quarterback who is stable in the pocket, 'Bama certainly has the potential to make some statistical history in the passing game this season.

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Posted by The Crimson Elephant at 3:35 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Henry and Yeldon lead stable of hungry 'Bama RBs

Since Nick Saban began his tenure at the University of Alabama, the Crimson Tide running back unit has been more like a stable of horses bound for the Kentucky Derby.

Within two years, if not sooner, the "fresh face" in town becomes one of the most distinguished running backs in the nation. The notable list includes, Glen Coffee, Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson, Eddie Lacy, T.J. Yeldon, and if the trend continues, Derrick Henry.
Granted, high school talent and "star ratings" aren't enough to guarantee collegiate success, but Nick Saban's "potential driven" attitude, coupled with the fundamental teaching of running backs coach Burton Burns, allows the crop of rushers who land at the Capstone to become some of the best backs in the nation.

Prominent players

Kenyan Drake
Jalston Fowler (Fullback)
Derrick Henry
T.J. Yeldon

Emerging talent

Tyren Jones
Bo Scarbrough
Altee Tenpenny

Departures from 2013

Dee Hart (Left the team)
Alvin Kamara (Transferred)

When it comes to the 2014 stable, Derrick Henry and T.J. Yeldon are the undeniable stars. Not to say that someone with the skill set of Kenyan Drake, for example, won't shine like a diamond when called upon, but entering the season, Henry and Yeldon are the two players who will likely garner the highest amount of attention.
As is commonplace with Nick Saban, Alabama loves the "package deal" at running back. Ingram/Richardson, Richardson/Lacy, and Lacy/Yeldon, proved to be three of the greatest running back duos in Crimson Tide history. Given the structure of the Alabama offense, Henry and Yeldon, will likely form the dynamic twosome in 2014.

With his sophomore year under his belt, expect the aforementioned Kenyan Drake to garner a healthy load of the carries this season. Working in spot duty in 2012, and as Yeldon's primary backup in 2013, Drake has shown moments of greatness with his balance and ability to read blocks along the offensive front.
2014 will mark the final season for Jalston Fowler. The "bull" of a back who missed essentially the entire 2012 campaign due to a knee injury, was moved to H-back in 2013 and will likely play fullback this fall. Known as a great blocker, Fowler also comes equipped with soft hands for his size, which makes him a great mid-range receiver out of the backfield. While Fowler is not likely to steal the show like Henry or Yeldon, the redshirt senior will be a vital tool for the Crimson Tide offense this season.
In respect to the remainder of the running back unit, sophomore Altee Tenpenny, redshirt freshman Tyren Jones, and true freshman Bo Scarbrough could each receive respectable playing time in 2014. Currently dealing with an academic issue, which is preventing him from enrolling at Alabama at this time, Bo Scarbrough is quite obviously the "wild card" of the group as of mid to late June.

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Posted by The Crimson Elephant at 5:19 PM 0 comments

Derrick Henry looks to take center stage this fall

From the day Derrick Henry gave his verbal commitment to the University of Alabama, the future of Crimson Tide football, in respect to the running back position, was being shaped for future success.

Henry, the most prolific running back in the history of the high school ranks, from a statistical standpoint, is now poised to stake his claim as Alabama's starting running back for the 2014 season.

Spending most of the 2013 campaign on special teams, and at running back during "mop-up duty" in games that had already been decided, Henry finally earned his chance to steal the show on January 2, 2014 at the Sugar Bowl. While Alabama lost the showdown in New Orleans to a quality Oklahoma squad, Derrick Henry had his very own coming out party against the Sooners.
When practice resumes for Alabama in early August, all eyes will definitely be on Henry, but the pride of Yulee, Florida simply won't be handed the starting job by default. Under head coach Nick Saban, only those who have earned the field, take the field. Henry will obviously be no exception. Tide fans, and college football fans in general, have seen how various cases of fumbleitis have caused even the best 'Bama running backs to be relegated to spectator status, so nothing is ever a sure thing.

In respect to the Crimson Tide's stable at running back, Henry will join standout T.J. Yeldon, Kenyan Drake, Altee Tenpenny, Tyren Jones, Bo Scarbrough, and the monstrous running back/h-back hybrid known as Jalston Fowler. While Henry and Yeldon will likely share "A and A1" duties in a rotating backfield, nothing is ever written in stone, especially when it comes to what Nick Saban expects from his players.

With Henry's skill set, coupled with his size, standing 6-foot-3 and topping the scale at 238-pounds, No. 27 is certainly in position to follow in the collegiate footsteps of Alabama success stories such as Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson, and Eddie Lacy.

Quite obviously, only time will tell in respect to the final mark Henry will leave on the Crimson Tide football program, but what is not in dispute is that the most promising running back on Alabama's current roster has all the intangibles to become one of the greatest players to ever wear the crimson and white.
Posted by The Crimson Elephant at 4:54 PM 0 comments
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