Time to Shine: 5 Emerging Leaders for the Crimson Tide in 2012

When a team has the sustained success that Alabama has realized under Nick Saban, attrition of team leaders through graduation and early entry to the NFL draft becomes the price of that success.

Following the 2011 season, the program saw the loss of leaders such as Trent Richardson, Dont’a Hightower, Courtney Upshaw, Mark Barron and Marquis Maze.  We’re going to examine five underclassmen who have already made significant contributions to the team and are poised to assume leadership roles.

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1 Vinnie Sunseri

For a player to receive serious playing time as a true freshman in the Alabama program is a testament to that individual’s talent and work ethic. Sunseri was an absolute terror on special teams this past season, frequently meeting the ballcarrier on kickoff returns with the velocity of a cruise missle. After Will Lowery was lost to injury late in the season, Sunseri stepped in at free safety and defender of last resort since Mark Barron would typically move forward into run support. Even in the national championship game, Sunseri was often on the field in third-and-long situations. With the loss of several players in the defensive backfield to the draft, Sunseri will be called on to help lead the unit.

2 Eddie Lacy

In the beginning of the 201o season, Lacy and Trent Richardson handled the running game for the Tide while Mark Ingram was recovering from a knee injury. The rising junior had some ball security issues early in his career, but has made great strides and played an invaluable role as Trent Richardson’s backup this past year. Besides getting the bulk of the carries in 2012, Lacy’s contribution to the team will come as a mentor to younger backs such as Dee Hart and TJ Yeldon. Lacy had the good fortune of learning from two of the best running backs in Alabama history, and he should be able to take that experience and knowledge and take his place as the next great Tide back.

3 Jesse Williams

The Aussie was already somewhat of a folk legend before he ever played a down in Tuscaloosa. After dominating the junior college ranks, Tide fans were anxious for the tattooed, mohawked Williams to step in and provide immediate help on the defensive line. Williams started all season for the Tide and played at an extremely high level. He made solid contributions both in run support and pass rush. He thought about exploring the NFL draft waters, but fortunately for the Tide faithful Williams has decided to return.  With another year under Nick Saban and Kirby Smart he should be poised to join the ranks of Terrence Cody and Marcell Dareus as game-changing defensive lineman.

4 CJ Mosley

The 2011 Alabama team had two strong leaders in Dont’a Hightower and Courtney Upshaw. Losing both to the NFL will be tough, but fortunately Alabama recruits and coaches linebackers better than any program in the country. CJ Mosley appears like he could be the next great Tide linebacker. As a freshman he seized the momentum of the game against Florida when he intercepted a jump pass in the end zone.  His interception of a Jordan Jefferson shovel pass in the national championship game helped to put the game on ice. He excelled in pass coverage this past season and saw a lot of action come his way as offenses had to provide help to blockers dealing with Hightower and Upshaw.  Fortunately the injury he sustained January 9th does not appear to be serious, and Mosley is poised to put his own stamp on the 2012 defense.

5 Kevin Norwood

The wide receiving core is one of the units that will suffer some of the biggest losses with seniors Marquis Maze and Darius Hanks graduating. Although Julio Jones provided most of the wide receiver highlights over the past three seasons, the contributions that Maze and Hanks made were invaluable. They always ran crisp routes, could be counted on to come through and make tough catches in big games, and helped build the confidence of two national championship-winning quarterbacks, Greg McElroy and AJ McCarron. Kevin Norwood announced his arrival during the national championship game against LSU. By personally killing, stuffing and mounting the over-hyped honey badger, he put SEC defenses on notice that he will be a force to be reckoned with. The confidence he gained from performing as well as he did on the game’s biggest stage should help him become a leader for what looks to be an extremely young receiver group in 2012. With Duron Carter finally eligible, he and Norwood should be able to keep defenses from loading up against the run and help the offense sustain long drives, which will be valuable as a young defense earns its stripes.