Tomorrow’s All-American Special Edition: Early Enrollees

The Tide’s 2012 recruiting class is already number one in the nation, and there are still a few spots left to fill before it’s complete. Verbal commitments are non-binding and with signing day less than a month away, the possibility of a recruit or two changing their mind is still very real. This year’s class is the most solid class from top to bottom as any in recent memory, and with the Tide coming off another BCS National Championship they don’t expect any prospects to back out now.

Players such as Vinnie Sunseri, HaSean Clinton-Dix, Trey Depriest and Xzavier Dickson were all early enrollees in the class of 2011, playing pivotal roles on special teams and contributing to Alabama’s championship season. Dee Hart was another player that came to Alabama early and was praised by Saban during spring practices, before suffering a season-ending knee injury. All of these early enrollees played a part in Alabama’s title run, and serve as examples as to how beneficial it is to get a jump-start on college.

The class of 2012 has a hand full of players who have already graduated and are beginning their careers with the Crimson Tide as we speak. Coach Saban has spoken several times about the benefits of coming in to join the program early, in terms of playing time and making an early contribution to the team. This week BamaHammer looks at the players getting a head start on their college careers as the class of 2012 early enrollees.

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When talking about early playing time we immediately look to the JUCO players transferring in. Saban just doesn’t recruit kids from junior college to be backups; he expects them to contribute immediately. Eastern Arizona transfer and JUCO All-American cornerback Travell Dixon is as close to an immediate impact player as you will find. Travell is very comparable to current Tide corner Dre Kirkpatrick with his 6-foot 3-inch, 205 pound frame and he has speed to burn. He was looked upon as the nation’s premier JUCO cornerback this season and achieved the “lockdown corner” label for his efforts on the field. With talent at the position leaving and only two years to make his impression on NFL scouts, I have Dixon at 90 percent probability to make significant contributions in 2012.

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The only other JUCO player in this signing class is Deion Belue, an Alabama native originally recruited by the Tide out of high school. Belue suffered some academic setbacks, sending him to junior college. It has proved to be a blessing in disguise for Deion as his previous three-star rating soared through the roof after shutting down receiver after receiver at Northeast Mississippi. Belue isn’t as tall as Dixon but is probably more explosive and is valued on the field as a kick returner as well as an elite cornerback. He was pursued by several major colleges that didn’t recruit him in high school and instructed his coach to deny all requests for visits as he maintained his desire to play for the Tide. Simply put, Belue is a game changer, and I believe he has a 90 percent shot to be playing opposite Dixon in the Tide secondary.

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When 6-foot 1-inch, 185 pound receiver Amari Cooper showed up at Alabama’s camp last summer he earned an offer from Nick Saban on the spot. Amari came very close to committing to Miami and FSU before coming to camp at Alabama, but held off long enough to get the offer he really wanted from the Tide. Cooper was an undervalued prospect for most of his recruitment, until his stock soared following a great senior season. He recently dominated the nation’s best competition in the Under Armour All-Star game with a 95-yard kick return for a touchdown and another touchdown catch of 75 yards. With Alabama losing Maze, Gibson, and Hanks at the receiver position and no returning player with as many as twelve career catches, I have Cooper at 80 percent probability to have an impact as a freshman.

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The Tide doesn’t rebuild; they reload, and linebacker Dillon Lee is the perfect ammunition to add to 2012 defense. At 6-foot 4-inches tall and 235 pounds, Lee has the perfect frame to become an elite defender in Saban’s 3-4 defense. Dillon is tackling machine who possesses surprising athleticism for a kid his size. With the Tide likely losing three key linebackers this season, Lee is in great position to push for playing time. Getting started months before the rest of the freshmen will help tremendously in learning Alabama’s complex defense. I believe his 4.60 forty-yard dash time and his high football IQ combined with his athleticism and nose for the ball gives him a 75 percent shot at playing in 2012.

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The lone 5-star receiver committed to the Tide this year is Chris Black out of First Coast High in Jacksonville, Florida. Black was thought to be headed to FSU up until he announced his intentions to roll with the Tide. At 5-foot 11-inches and 170 pounds, Chris isn’t the prototypical SEC receiver, but he’s an absolutely electric playmaker, with the ability to flip field position on any given play. Black plays much bigger than his measurables suggest, and has turned an average game into a highlight reel many times in his high school days. He is a return specialist with the ability to play multiple receiver positions on offense. He will benefit greatly from Coach Cochran’s fourth quarter program as an early enrollee, and if he stays healthy he could find himself playing a big role in both the return game and on offense. As previously noted, Bama’s receiving core will be wide open come spring, and the extra time to get acclimated gives Chris a 65 percent shot at avoiding a red shirt year.

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Auburn thought they had the state’s number one playmaker locked up for six months, but after the staff was dismantled and the season fell short, T.J. Yeldon had a change of heart about his future plans. He flipped his commitment to in-state rival Alabama two weeks before he was set to enroll, leaving Auburn fans furious and their recruiting class lacking. With Trent Richardson likely heading to the NFL, the Tide needed another big-time ball carrier to compliment fellow commit Kenyan Drake, and Yeldon was their man. T.J. stands 6-foot 1-inch tall, and his 200 pound frame is rock solid, making him a good prospect for the smash mouth Tide offense. Putting on good weight shouldn’t be a challenge for Yeldon, but fighting for a spot at running back with the likes of Lacy, Fowler, Hart and Calloway all returning is a mighty tall order for any player. Depth at his position gives T.J. a 50 percent chance at early playing time, but in this league injuries are a reality that would immediately bring him closer to the field.

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The Florida State Seminoles joined Auburn in losing a committed player to Alabama just days after Yeldon flipped, when big defensive tackle Alphonse Taylor jumped on the Tide train. Taylor was initially looked at for offense, which turned him off, but after a solid senior season Alabama offered him a scholarship to play defense. The Tide’s 3-4 scheme calls for the biggest, strongest player to anchor the middle of the line and take on blockers, allowing the linebackers to run free. His 6-foot 5-inch, 330 pound frame makes Alphonse just what the doctor ordered. Nose tackles Josh Chapman and Nick Gentry have just played their last game for Alabama, leaving a question mark at the position for 2012, which gives Taylor a 50 percent chance to impress coaches enough to get on the field early.

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From time to time recruits slip through the cracks and don’t get the recognition or ranking they deserve. In the case of Daphne linebacker Ryan Anderson, national recruiting services fell flat on their faces when they labeled him a mid-level, three-star prospect. He was finally bumped to a low four-star, but it was a little too late. He has already joined his high school teammate T.J Yeldon as a student and early enrollee at Alabama, and is as good as they get. Ryan is as close to a Courtney Upshaw clone as you will find at the high school level, and this kid plays lights out. Ryan was a solid defensive end his junior year, but really came into his own when he was moved to linebacker his senior season. Anderson is a 6-foot 3-inch, 250 pound nightmare for opponents and plays with a mean streak that can hardly be contained. Upshaw, Hightower and Harris leave the Tide defense and someone will have to pick up where they left off. Ryan lives to make opponents hate him and he prides himself on being more physical than the other guy. That mindset, coupled with this kid’s drive to get better and his physical attributes gives him a 90 percent chance of seeing the field in 2012.