Alabama Football: Remember when the seniors always led the way

There was a time for Alabama football, in the college football past, when the number of starting, returning seniors was the top predictor of future success.

For those Alabama football fans who do not remember, college football was once a sport dominated by teams with the most starting upperclassmen. In fact, in the Bryant era, returning senior starters were gold. Their physical and mental maturity and game experience were deemed irreplaceable.

Those days are long over. Even after underclassmen began earning starting roles, it took longer for many true freshmen to succeed as starters on other than roster-deprived teams. Now every season, college football headlines are filled with the exploits of true freshmen.

It does not happen quite as often with Alabama football. Nick Saban is all about playing the best player but the Tide’s deep, talented roster causes many youngsters to have to wait their turn.

One thing making some seniors so distinctive today is when a starter forgoes the NFL Draft for a fourth or fifth college season.

Alabama football has nine returning scholarship seniors. The number could be eight depending on how Terell Lewis is listed. The team website has Terrell listed as a senior. He was eligible for a redshirt last season but he is not expected to play more than another season of college football. The number might also be 10 if returning punter Mike Bernier is on scholarship.

Let’s review the players likely to make the most impact for the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2019.

Alabama Football Seniors on Defense

The list of seniors is dominated by defensive players. Most impressive is six projected defensive starters for 2019 are seniors. It is guaranteed the Crimson Tide return six seniors with starting experience.

It is hard to estimate which one will make the greatest impact because so many are valuable. Up front, there is big Raekwon Davis at defensive end, with outside linebackers Terrell Lewis and Anfernee Jennings. In the secondary, there is Shyheim Carter, Jared Mayden and Trevon Diggs. Three or more of those guys could have All-American senior seasons.

Two less used seniors also return for the defense: inside linebacker, Josh McMillon and defensive tackle Tevita Musika.

Offense and Special Teams

The lone senior with starting offensive experience is Matt Womack. Womack is actually a redshirt-senior. He has a good chance to regain a starting role in 2019. He started every game in the 2017 season.

Then there is Mike Bernier. The graduate punter may not win the starting job in 2019. But he steadied a rocky ship last season and could be called on for his consistency again.

Senior leadership is not what it once was. Still, it remains a valuable asset for a team.