I actually went back to a 'honey badger' thread we had here before the Nov. game and looked at what I put there. I reiterate here, he's been uncanny at making plays and is a fantastic return man. However he's an average SEC CB, not below average, not great. It means he's a pretty good-great athlete (I think we'd agree he's probably a great athlete) but not a great corner.
Claiborne on the other hand is probably better than Dre/Menzie but is playing at closer to his full potential while Dre has a higher ceiling in NFL terms.
Claiborne probably starts opposite Dre on Bama's D, #7 would be the 4th, maybe even 5th CB behind Phelon Jones. However he is just a soph. and if he applies himself should improve quite a bit by his Sr. year and actually be worthy of some of the hype.