Fall Reinforcements: Ranking The Top Fall Newcomers By Needs Of The Team (Guest Blog)

10) Da’Shawn Hand- This 5 star Defensive End is coming in to one of the most talented groups on the Crimson Tide. Alhough, the defensive line is stacked I do expect Hand to get some meaningful playing time. He is just too talented to keep off the field.

9) Ronnie Clark- Will this athlete from Calera HS play safety or linebacker? Both positions are thin but set but I do expect to see Alabama’s Mr. Football to get playing time. He’ll be a beast on special teams too.

8) Rashaan Evans- Rashaan brings elite pass rushing ability. The Tide seems to have improved in passrushing but Evans can be a big playmaker and can get more playing time as the season goes on.

7) Ty Flournoy-Smith- This Tight End/H-Back has 2 years of playing time left so I don’t see any reason to ease him on to the field. I imagine he will back up Jalston Fowler or even OJ Howard and Brian Vogler. His versatility will enable him to help the offense be a little more potent.

5/6 Josh Frazier and OJ Smith- Behind Brandon Ivory, the Noseguard position is a kind of thin, especially with the injury to Darren Lake. The Tide will definitely need depth at the keystone position.

4) Marlon Humphrey- The much anticipated Bama legacy is coming into a huge position of need. With Eddie Jackson’s uncertainty for the fall, we will need young cornerbacks to step-up. Marlon should add much needed depth in the secondary. Marlon has a very high ceiling but not as game ready as Tony Brown at this point. The future looks great in the secondary.

3) Dominick Jackson- Dominick will be a fan favorite while at Bama. His highlight film shows some of nastiest downfield blocking I’ve seen. The current front five on the Offensive Line have their work cut-out because ‘D Jack’ will put them to the test. I do see Jackson taking a starting Guard role solidifying the Line.

2) JK Scott- As you all saw on A Day, the kicking game looked scary. JK is mainly brought in as a punter but Coach Saban has mentioned he can be used as a place kicker as well. Scott looked great in the Semper Fidelis All American game but then again so did Adam Griffith. Between the two, the Tide needs to get it right.

1) Jacob Coker- Blake Sims and company didn’t show any reason why Coker wouldn’t have a shot at starting Quarterback this season. In fact, most have him as a favorite now. The Offensive weapons this year are as potent as any NFL team so the Tide just needs someone to spread the ball around to the playmakers.

It’s obvious the Defense is ahead of the Offense at this point but there are key reinforcements coming. You have to lok at A Day like an NFL preseason game. It is individually valued by position. The starters are not set. The plays were vanilla. So many things will change by fall. Relax and Roll Tide.

Author Information for this guest blog submission:

Twitter: West Coast Tide Fans