Alabama Football: 7 True Freshmen and 2 JUCO’s Likely To Play in 2017

Oct 1, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide cheerleaders fly the flags after their team scored against the Kentucky Wildcats at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Crimson Tide defeated Kentucky 34-6. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide cheerleaders fly the flags after their team scored against the Kentucky Wildcats at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Crimson Tide defeated Kentucky 34-6. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) looks on while he lines up on the line of scrimmage of the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) looks on while he lines up on the line of scrimmage of the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Elliot Baker:  OL – JUCO Transfer, Early Enrollee

Due to academic issues, Baker was not recruited out of Archbishop Riordan High School High School. With grade problems behind him, he was heavily recruited in 2016. Among others, Baker was recruited by LSU, Miami, Arizona State, Auburn, Texas A&M, Georgia, and Oregon.

Baker is 6′ 7″, 300 lbs. and can play guard or tackle. Elliot Baker was rated as one of the top JUCO players nationally and also the nation’s #1 Junior College offensive lineman.

Alabama football places a high premium on dominating the line of scrimmage. In the second half of close games, the Tide prefers to rely on its power run game. For that run game to succeed, the big guys up front must be human road-graders.

Elliot Baker can be one of those road-graders for the 2017 Crimson Tide. His best opportunity to start is likely to be at right guard.

Take a look at these Baker highlights from his play at City College of San Francisco:

As the video shows, he is a physical player and similar to Alex Leatherwood appears to play with an aggressive attitude. He looks as though he could handle some additional weight. With him arriving in Tuscaloosa in January, the Crimson Tide strength and nutrition team have plenty of time to help him add muscle and power.