3 (22) NT - Darren Lake - 6-2 315
Sumter Co. HS - York , AL
ASWA 4A All-State selection .
Overview: Being a Sumter graduate , Mack is particularly happy for Darren and his choice of college . He's another versatile big guy with some athleticism who has experience on both sides of the ball . Lake chose to sign with Alabama over Tennessee .
What he brings: Potential . Lake has a good combination of strength and quickness off of the ball . Having the benefit of spending a great deal of time on the offensive line , he's well prepared for the nuances and tendencies in store once he settles in at nose tackle .
2012 Outlook: Darren is not expected to see any action this season . At his size he still has the frame to add plenty of mass and should look like a different player after a year of training .
Once he comes up to size , former Tide defensive tackle Eric Kerley would seem to make for an appropriate comparison .
3 (21) DE – Dalvin Tomlinson - 6-2 260
Henry Co. HS - McDonough , GA
GSWA 3A All-State selection .
Overview: An all around athlete , a great student and hard worker are traits which best describe Tomlinson . He could be considered as somewhat of a renaissance man having excelled in both soccer and wrestling instead of more typical "second" sports such as basketball , baseball or track and field . Dalvin picked Alabama over Georgia Tech on national signing day .
What he brings: Tomlinson is a smart player with adequate quickness and enough lateral mobility to cover a fair amount space against the run , but will need to get stronger and play with more purpose before becoming a factor at the next level . His soccer background is a plus when it comes to conditioning and footwork , while wrestling has enhanced his balance and hand to hand strength in order to play off his opponent .
2012 Outlook: Tomlinson recently suffered an undisclosed knee injury which has been labeled as being "significant" and will all but ensure a redshirt season . Once he’s back up to speed , he should be in line to earn a shot at cracking rotation in 2013 at left end . .
At times , Tomlinson could draw comparison to the earliest days of Dominic Lee .
3.5 (20) QB - Alec Morris - 6-4 230
Allen HS - Allen , TX
Morris rolled up 35 scores via the pass along with 9 touchdowns rushing last season while tossing only 6 interceptions .
Overview: From all accounts Morris seems to be a good kid from a good home . He had initially committed to Wake Forest before earning an offer from Alabama after having impressed Tide coaches during his time at camp . Once an offer was extended Morris quickly accepted and severed all ties with Wake Forest as well as Michigan State and Virginia .
What he brings: He’s a hard worker who sets a good example for those around him . Morris played against top flight competition in the state of Texas , but did so almost exclusively out the gun in a spread based offense . As has been the case for current Tider Phillip Sims , there will be an adjustment period for him when it comes to moving under center . Alec has prototypical size and good arm strength , but there are mechanical issues which must be sorted out in order for him to become an SEC-ready quarterback . While he is able to get the ball off quickly , observers were hopeful his throwing motion would continue to improve as a high school senior , but this was not to be . If anything , it would be fair to say his mechanics regressed over the course of last season .
2012 Outlook: Not to put a jinx on anything , but it would take several disasters in order for Alec to see any action this season . This will allow him to concentrate on his mechanics while learning the pro styled Alabama offense . Morris is more likely to battle for playing time later rather than sooner . Meaning 2014 and beyond .
Alec won't remind fans of any former Alabama quarterbacks , at least none who have played , but does somewhat resemble 2007 Tide signee and fellow Texan Nick Fanuzzi .
3.5 (19) DL – Korren Kirven - 6-4 280
Brookville HS - Lynchburg , VA
Under Armour All-America participant .
2011 2A All-State performer .
Overview: Kirven was a much needed national signing day pick up for Alabama . His size and raw athleticism were enough to dominate in high school at a level rarely displayed from the defensive tackle position . Korren signed with Alabama over offers from Virginia Tech , Tennessee and countless others .
What he brings: He is definitely athletic as well as aggressive . Kirven was able to find is way into the backfield a lot in high school . Primarily from shooting gaps and using swim moves against inferior linemen . That said , there are some issues to sort out . Kirven plays too tall at times and will have to become more disciplined in college . It would be nice to see more energy down in and down out than has been displayed to this point . This is often apparent when playing from the backside in pursuit . Hopefully Chance Warmack or Barrett Jones will make a fast learner of him in short order because there is little question in regards to his level of talent and potential . However , his technique will need some serious polishing as well as a need to learn to play with consistent effort until the whistle blows .
2012 Outlook: As stated above it's hard to question his talent , but a period of adjustment is expected which will more than likely prevent Kirven from seeing the field this season . How much playing time he sees in the future is pretty much up to him and the level in which he applies himself to what will be demanded of him from Coach Rumph .
Kirven most resembles recently departed defensive end Brandon Deaderick in many ways and will more than likely wind up playing the same position .
Sumter Co. HS - York , AL
ASWA 4A All-State selection .
Overview: Being a Sumter graduate , Mack is particularly happy for Darren and his choice of college . He's another versatile big guy with some athleticism who has experience on both sides of the ball . Lake chose to sign with Alabama over Tennessee .
What he brings: Potential . Lake has a good combination of strength and quickness off of the ball . Having the benefit of spending a great deal of time on the offensive line , he's well prepared for the nuances and tendencies in store once he settles in at nose tackle .
2012 Outlook: Darren is not expected to see any action this season . At his size he still has the frame to add plenty of mass and should look like a different player after a year of training .
Once he comes up to size , former Tide defensive tackle Eric Kerley would seem to make for an appropriate comparison .
3 (21) DE – Dalvin Tomlinson - 6-2 260
Henry Co. HS - McDonough , GA
GSWA 3A All-State selection .
Overview: An all around athlete , a great student and hard worker are traits which best describe Tomlinson . He could be considered as somewhat of a renaissance man having excelled in both soccer and wrestling instead of more typical "second" sports such as basketball , baseball or track and field . Dalvin picked Alabama over Georgia Tech on national signing day .
What he brings: Tomlinson is a smart player with adequate quickness and enough lateral mobility to cover a fair amount space against the run , but will need to get stronger and play with more purpose before becoming a factor at the next level . His soccer background is a plus when it comes to conditioning and footwork , while wrestling has enhanced his balance and hand to hand strength in order to play off his opponent .
2012 Outlook: Tomlinson recently suffered an undisclosed knee injury which has been labeled as being "significant" and will all but ensure a redshirt season . Once he’s back up to speed , he should be in line to earn a shot at cracking rotation in 2013 at left end . .
At times , Tomlinson could draw comparison to the earliest days of Dominic Lee .
3.5 (20) QB - Alec Morris - 6-4 230
Allen HS - Allen , TX
Morris rolled up 35 scores via the pass along with 9 touchdowns rushing last season while tossing only 6 interceptions .
Overview: From all accounts Morris seems to be a good kid from a good home . He had initially committed to Wake Forest before earning an offer from Alabama after having impressed Tide coaches during his time at camp . Once an offer was extended Morris quickly accepted and severed all ties with Wake Forest as well as Michigan State and Virginia .
What he brings: He’s a hard worker who sets a good example for those around him . Morris played against top flight competition in the state of Texas , but did so almost exclusively out the gun in a spread based offense . As has been the case for current Tider Phillip Sims , there will be an adjustment period for him when it comes to moving under center . Alec has prototypical size and good arm strength , but there are mechanical issues which must be sorted out in order for him to become an SEC-ready quarterback . While he is able to get the ball off quickly , observers were hopeful his throwing motion would continue to improve as a high school senior , but this was not to be . If anything , it would be fair to say his mechanics regressed over the course of last season .
2012 Outlook: Not to put a jinx on anything , but it would take several disasters in order for Alec to see any action this season . This will allow him to concentrate on his mechanics while learning the pro styled Alabama offense . Morris is more likely to battle for playing time later rather than sooner . Meaning 2014 and beyond .
Alec won't remind fans of any former Alabama quarterbacks , at least none who have played , but does somewhat resemble 2007 Tide signee and fellow Texan Nick Fanuzzi .
3.5 (19) DL – Korren Kirven - 6-4 280
Brookville HS - Lynchburg , VA
Under Armour All-America participant .
2011 2A All-State performer .
Overview: Kirven was a much needed national signing day pick up for Alabama . His size and raw athleticism were enough to dominate in high school at a level rarely displayed from the defensive tackle position . Korren signed with Alabama over offers from Virginia Tech , Tennessee and countless others .
What he brings: He is definitely athletic as well as aggressive . Kirven was able to find is way into the backfield a lot in high school . Primarily from shooting gaps and using swim moves against inferior linemen . That said , there are some issues to sort out . Kirven plays too tall at times and will have to become more disciplined in college . It would be nice to see more energy down in and down out than has been displayed to this point . This is often apparent when playing from the backside in pursuit . Hopefully Chance Warmack or Barrett Jones will make a fast learner of him in short order because there is little question in regards to his level of talent and potential . However , his technique will need some serious polishing as well as a need to learn to play with consistent effort until the whistle blows .
2012 Outlook: As stated above it's hard to question his talent , but a period of adjustment is expected which will more than likely prevent Kirven from seeing the field this season . How much playing time he sees in the future is pretty much up to him and the level in which he applies himself to what will be demanded of him from Coach Rumph .
Kirven most resembles recently departed defensive end Brandon Deaderick in many ways and will more than likely wind up playing the same position .
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