Alabama 2014 Position Preview: Linebackers
As we inch closer to the 2014 Alabama football season, it’s time to take a look at each and every position on the Crimson Tide squad, breaking down man-to-man what we can expect and look forward to this year.
Previous Previews:
Linebackers
Key Departures: Adrian Hubbard (NFL Draft), CJ Mosley (NFL Draft/graduation), Tana Patrick (graduation)
Key Additions: Shaun Dion-Hamilton (freshman), Rashaan Evans (freshman)
Returning Players: Ryan Anderson, Trey DePriest, Denzel Devall, Josh Dickerson, Xzavier Dickson, Reuben Foster, Shaun Dion Hamilton, Walker Jones, Dillon Lee, Anthon Orr, Reggie Ragland
Breakthrough Players to Watch: Reggie Ragland, Rueben Foster
Longtime mainstay and leader at linebacker C.J. Mosley is gone, leaving a massive void in Alabama’s group at linebacker. But there is plenty of both talent and experience at each position, which should result in not much of a drop off in production.
The biggest question is whether or not senior Trey DePriest can take over Mosley’s role as the leader amongst the linebackers and defense in general.
Mosley pegged DePriest as his successor at the end of last year, and Nick Saban has echoed that sentiment, saying that DePriest and Landon Collins seem to be the leaders on defense going into 2014.
DePriest is unquestionably the most talented linebacker on the team, and has the intelligence to be take over that “quarterback of the defense” role. He’s strong and a great tackler, as well as being a big time hitter, but he doesn’t quite have the coverage ability that Mosley possessed. He is a much better run defender and sheds blocks much in the same way Nico Johnson had the ability to against the run. DePriest will take over Mosley’s spot at Mike in the middle of the defense in Alabama’s base 3-4 defense.
DePriest has played both Mike and Will on the inside, but likely taking his spot this season will be Reggie Ragland, who made a big impact in the spring.
The junior has been described by Nick Saban as a “thumper” referring to his hard hitting play style. He boasts great size at 6-foot-2 and 254 pounds, but is also deceptively quick.
Ragland impressed the Alabama coaches during spring practice and Alabama fans during A-Day, recording a game-high 10 tackles along with an interception. Ragland combined with DePriest makes up one of the hardest-hitting linebacker tandems in the country.
Adrian Hubbard spent the last three years playing Jack and Sam on the Alabama defense as one of the better pass rushers on the team. Senior Xzavier Dickson has also played both positions, but will likely settle at the Sam in 2014 with junior Denzell Devall officially taking over the Jack spot. Dillon Lee will also see a lot of playing time at Sam.
One interesting thing to watch out for is when both Dickson and Devall put their hands in the dirt and rush the passer from the defensive line. The prospect of having Devall and Dickson on each end with A’Shawn Robinson and D.J. Pettway or Jonathan Allen playing on the inside could be a hellacious pass rushing line for any offense.
Even more interesting than watching the veterans of Alabama’s linebackers will be watching the youngsters.
Rueben Foster is probably the next in line of great Mike linebackers at Alabama, and if he can stop injuring himself with his reckless style he could end up seeing a lot of playing time in 2014.
Freshmen Shaun Dion-Hamilton and Rashaan Evans will likely see early playing time on special teams, but I fully expect to see Evans in the rotation with the regular linebackers by the end of the season. He is too good of a pass rusher to not utilize that speed.
This group is actually the group, along with running backs, I’m looking forward most to seeing and watching the development of the younger players.
For an in-depth look at all the position battles for the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2014, download our 2014 Alabama Football Viewing Guide.