DePriest Looks To Step Into Big Shoes

Trey DePriest enters his senior year with a multitude of challenges facing him. The Springfield, Ohio native is in a position to step into the empty spot created by CJ Mosely’s departure to the NFL. DePriest realizes the position isn’t something to be inherited but rather something he’ll have to earn. He’ll do so by showing the Tide’s defensive brain trust that not only is he capable of playing the “Mike” linebacker position, but that he’ll also be able to act as the coaches on the field general, relaying the defensive calls and making sure everyone is lined up correctly.

Mosely handled those chores last year while playing the “Will” linebacker position. While there isn’t a position in Saban’s defense that’s an easy position to play, the Will or weak side linebacker, has less responsibilities than the Mike carries, allowing for more freelancing.

With Mosely’s athleticism he was the ideal fit for a position that allowed him to go sideline to sideline. He also did a great job of commanding the Tide defense.  “C.J. has played fantastic football every game, and I can’t recall that he’s ever had a bad game,” Saban said during last December’s bowl workouts. “His leadership and his ability to affect the other players — getting us lined up right and making the right adjustments — has been just as critical as his phenomenal play.”

Playing the Mike in the Tide’s defense is already a big enough challenge. Adding to it the responsibilities that Mosley shouldered last season can be monumental. Particularly since up until now DePriest has often come off the field during passing situations. Rolando McClain and Dont’a Hightowner faced similar circumstances when they took over the same responsibilities.

Saban has faith that DePriest can handle the job though, “Trey has a lot of experience,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “He’s a very good player. We need his leadership on defense. He’s obviously going to become the signal-caller, which I think everyone looks up to. He certainly has the knowledge and experience and maturity to effect other players in a positive way. I think that’s something that’s going to be important for our defensive team that he not only contribute with his physical performance and doing his job well, but how he effects everyone else.”

DePriest feels he already has some experience in calling alignments saying he helped Mosley at times last year, “Playing with C.J. last year, we took the role and kind of split it. He did the majority of it. But sometimes I’ve got to help him out. When teams went fastball and stuff, so he can’t get it off and communicate it so I had to help there, too.”

Mosley said he thought DePriest would be his successor following the Sugar bowl saying, “If he stays, it will be him,” Mosley said. “He doesn’t get a lot of credit, but he’s a pretty good linebacker.”

Much of spring practice will be spent determining how the depth chart will fill out behind DePriest and at the other three linebacker spots. The Jack starter returns from last season as does his backup though neither Denzel Devall nor Xavier Dickson ever developed as a pass rusher. Dillon Lee is the favorite to start at the Sam with Rueben Foster getting the early look at the Will.

Things aren’t likely to be settled until after the first or second scrimmage of the fall.