Jan 2, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry (27), right, talks to teammate Jalston Fowler (45) during the Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Oklahoma won, 45-31. Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Alabama comes into the 2014 season loaded with incredible talent across the team. But much like last season, there are several spots on the team that are short on experience and leadership, though long on talent and ability.
Last season several players emerged as stars of the future for Alabama, including Derrick Henry, A’Shawn Robinson, Eddie Jackson and Landon Collins. Others cemented their place as playmakers on the team. This year a new crop of young players will be called upon to pick up the slack from several key departures, while other returning starters will be asked to fill leadership voids.
When you actually look at the list of players leaving, it is a bit staggering. Big wins and a lot of experience leaving along with those players. Tide stars like AJ McCarron and Kenny Bell were a part of all three Alabama national championships under Nick Saban. There is still a slew of talent on the team, however, and several players that should emerge as leaders and big time playmakers in 2014.
Key Departures
- AJ McCarron, QB (3,063 yards, 28 TD, 7 INT in 2013)
- Kenny Bell, WR (14 catches, 167 yards, 1 TD in 2013)
- Kevin Norwood, WR (38 catches, 586 yards, 7 TD in 2013)
- Cyrus Kouandjio, OT (started all 13 games, All American in 2013)
- Anthony Steen, OT (started 12 games, All American in 2013)
- Chad Lindsay, DE (started 4 games, key backup in 2013)
- Ed Stinson, DE (42 TKL, 2.0 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 1 PBU, 4 QBH, 1 FR)
- Jeoffrey Pagan, DE (34 TKL, 3.5 TFL, 2.0 sacks, 4 QBH, 1 blocked kick)
- Adrian Hubbard, LB/DE (33 TKL, 5.5 TFL, 3.0 sacks, 3 PBU, 4 QBH)
- CJ Mosley, LB (108 TKL, 9.0 TFL, 5 PBU, 10 QBH, 1 FF)
- Deion Belue, CB (20 TKL, 1.0 TFL, 1 INT, 3 PBU, 1 QBH)
- HaHa Clinton-Dix, S (52 TKL, 3.5 TFL, 2 INT, 4 PBU)
- Vinnie Sunseri, S (20 TKL, 1.0 TFL, 2 INT, 2 TD, 4 PBU, 1 QBH, played in just 7 games)
- Cade Foster, K (12/17 FGs, long: 53 yards)
- Cody Mandell, P (39 punts, 47.1 yards per punt, long: 63 yards)
Incoming Freshman/Transfers
- Tony Brown, CB *
- Joshua Casher, C
- Ronnie Clark, S
- David Cornwell, QB *
- Johnny Dwight, DT
- Rashaan Evans, LB
- Ty Flournoy-Smith, TE (JUCO transfer)
- Josh Frazier, DT
- Shaun Dion Hamilton, LB *
- Da’Shawn Hand, DE
- J.C. Hassenauer, C
- Keith Holcombe, LB
- Marlon Humphrey, CB
- Dominick Jackson, OT (JUCO transfer)
- Hootie Jones, S *
- Derek Kief, WR
- Montel McBride, OG
- Christian Miller, LB
- DJ Pettway, DE (JUCO transfer) *
- Ross Pierschblacher, OT
- Jarran Reed, DT (JUCO transfer) *
- Cameron Robinson, OT *
- Bo Scarbrough, RB
- JK Scott, K/P
- Cameron Sims, WR *
- OJ Smith, DT
*= early enrollee
Jacob Coker/Blake Sims
I’m not going to harp on the Sims/Coker situation as I’ve already written about it numerous times. It is no secret that whoever ends up winning the starting QB job will have plenty of pressure on them. The success of the team will not solely hinge on the quarterback at Alabama, but it will most certainly be a big part of the equation. At this point I think Coker will end up winning out and his insanely strong arm will make for some interesting deep bombs during the year, but he will need to learn to be a game manager much in the same vein that his former high school teammate AJ McCarron was.
Derrick Henry
Derrick Henry didn’t get many touches as a true freshman, but made the most of each one, gaining nearly 11 yards per carry. He truly exploded in the Sugar Bowl, rushing for over 100 yards in only eight carries and scoring two big TDs. The massive, bruising back also boasts shocking speed for his size. His carries will surely go up in 2014, but the fact of the matter is that he will still have to share the ball with All-SEC tailback T.J. Yeldon –who is within striking distance of breaking the Alabama all-time rushing record – and Kenyan Drake. The Alabama backfield is loaded and is easily the top backfield in the country, and Henry may end up being the best of the bunch when all said and done. It is going to be a heck of a ride to see what he does with more touches this year.
Dominick Jackson
Alabama must replace the massive Cyrus Kouandjio in 2014, and veteran Brandon Greene and freshman Cameron Robinson seemed to be the two vying for that right in the spring. But in the fall JUCO transfer Dominick Jackson will enter the fray, and the massive junior will have a good shot at winning the competition. Usually when Saban brings in JUCO transfers it is because he believes they fill an immediate need, and Jackson is no different. James Carpenter came to Alabama as a JUCO transfer and left a first round draft pick at offensive tackle. Cameron Robinson is extremely talented and will eventually be the anchor of the Alabama offensive line, but like Kouandjio may need more time to develop and adjust to the college game.
Chris Black
Sophomore Chris Black has battled some injuries and a log jam of talent at the receiver position since he came to Alabama, but the speedy receiver should see the field a lot more this coming up season. Black adds another elusive player to the mix on screens and reverses; plays Lane Kiffin loves. He could also potentially add another deadly return man along with Christian Jones on special teams. Black will still have to rotate with talented receivers like Jones, DeAndrew White, and All-American Amari Cooper, but we should see his name mentioned a lot as the season gets started.
OJ Howard
As a true freshman OJ Howard dazzled people with his incredible athleticism and size, but what he struggled with as a freshman was blocking assignments. Nick Saban has made it very clear that Howard’s biggest point of emphasis in the off season has been improving his blocking. Howard was said to have improved greatly in the blocking phase during the spring, and he provides a nightmare matchup for opposing defenses at the tight end position. Howard can also split out wide which can also give defenses fits. It will be truly interesting to see how Lane Kiffin utilizes the massive sophomore, especially in goal line situations. Howard could end up as one of the top tight ends in the country this year.
Jarran Reed/DJ Pettway
Like Dominick Jackson, Jarran Reed comes from the JUCO ranks and is expected to make an impact right away in 2014. He made enough of an impression on the Alabama coaches that he has already cracked the starting lineup during the spring. Reed, along with A’Shawn Robinson and Brandon Ivory, make up one of the most massive defensive lines in the country, and much like Robinson Reed can play both inside at nose or outside at defensive end in the 3-4 alignment. Fellow JUCO transfer DJ Pettway is another JUCO that will likely make an impact early, but he will do so playing both defensive end and jack/buck linebacker. Pettway adds a bit more speed that the other three down linemen don’t have, and will be much more suited playing on the line against spread option teams.
Jonathan Allen
In 2013 Allen played in 12 games as a freshman recording 16 tackles, three tackles for loss, one half sack, and a forced fumble. In 2013 Allen’s playing time should increase as he becomes a major part of the defensive line rotation. At 6’3”, 264 pounds, Allen has the size as well as agility to play on the defensive line but could play from the jack/buck linebacker spot at points if need be. Allen will give Alabama more speed, the “quick twitch” type player, on the outsides when playing the read option teams like Auburn that Saban has made a priority. I fully expect the five primary down linemen in 2014 to be Allen, A’Shawn Robinson, Jarran Reed, DJ Pettway, and Brandon Ivory.
Reggie Ragland
Coming into the spring, several players were vying for the void left in the inside of the Alabama linebackers with the departure of captain CJ Mosley. Reggie Ragland and Reuben Foster seemed to be the primary options to play alongside Trey DePriest on the inside. Both are very talented, but injuries to Foster seemed to give Ragland a slight edge at the end of the spring, including a big A-Day game. Ragland has been described by both Saban and former Alabama linebacker CJ Mosley as a “thumper,” meaning he’s a big hitter, but he is also extremely fast with good size.
Cyrus Jones/Eddie Jackson
Eddie Jackson has emerged as the top cornerback on the Alabama roster, but an early knee injury in the spring ended what seemed to be a promising start for the sophomore. Jackson made a splash in 2013 in the Ole Miss game, and while there were inconsistencies down the stretch, he closed out the year as one of the top corners on the team. The Alabama staff believes Jackson will be back to full health by the fall and if that is the case it will be a huge factor for the Alabama defense. If Jackson is unable to go or is hindered, then players like freshmen Tony Brown and Marlon Humphrey will need to step up, as well as starters Cyrus Jones and Bradley Sylve.
In 2013 Cyrus Jones played in 11 games while starting four. He recorded 25 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, two interceptions, and five pass breakups. Jones switched from receiver to cornerback in the spring of 2013 and though he struggled at times, especially with physical receivers, he seemed to be getting better each week and progressing. That progression continued this spring and the hope is that it will also continue into the fall and what was a hindrance to the Alabama defense in 2013, the cornerbacks, will be a plus.
Landon Collins
Coming into 2013 Landon Collins was to see more and more playing time as an emerging sophomore, but a suspension to HaHa Clinton-Dix early in the year followed by a season-ending injury to Vinnie Sunseri midway through the season leapfrogged Collins to a starting job. Collins started nine games in 2013 and played in all 13 at both free and strong safety. He ended the season second on the team in tackles with 70 and added four tackles for loss, two interceptions, six pass breakups, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and returned an interception for a TD. Collins is unquestionably the best player in the secondary for Alabama and the hope is that he will transition into a leader back there as well. With Geno Smith seemingly taking over the free safety position, Collins should have a chance to settle in at strong safety. He is a tough, hard-hitting safety that is excellent against the run, but can also drop back in coverage and make plays on the ball as well. Collins could end up being one of the top safeties in the country in 2014.