4 (14) RB – Kenyan Drake - 6' 190
Hillgrove HS - Powder Springs , GA
GSWA 5A All-State selection .
5A 100 meter state champion .
Overview: It's always refreshing to land quality prospects who have their priorities in order . While Drake is clearly a gifted athlete , he's realistic about his future in placing the earning of a college degree as his top priority . Football is important to him , but it’s not his be all , end all with computer engineering being his field of interest . Kenyan picked Alabama over Georgia Tech , Georgia and Tennessee .
What he brings: He could prove to be a great third down or change of pace type of back with an expanded role as Drake could legitimately be used as a WR in some sets . Things similar to how Marshall Faulk made his mark . He has good hands paired with just enough height to pose problems for many to most corners on the outside . Inside , Kenyan has more than enough quickness and acceleration in the open field to leave any covering linebacker in his wake . Once he breaks through the first level of defenders , Drake has the type of top-end speed that is rarely seen .
2012 Outlook: Drakes tends to run a little upright and needs to become a more physical or determined runner between the tackles which makes a redshirt season more than probable . Especially when considering the depth at his position .
Drake most resembles former Tiders Roy Upchurch and Ray Hudson .
4 (13) WR – Chris Black - 5'10 175
First Coast HS , Jacksonville , FL
Under Armour All-America participant .
FHSSA 7A All-State selection .
Overview: Electrifying play-making abilities make Black a legitimate threat to go the distance on every play . Chris chose Alabama over Florida , Florida State , Miami , Notre Dame , Georgia , Tennessee and Clemson .
What he brings: Black isn’t the biggest or strongest guy , but he has good hands along with enough agility and acceleration that it is almost impossible to get a clean shot on him in space . He is not at his best when facing press coverage which makes playing from the slot his most likely destination . That said , he could still prove to be a tough assignment on the outside when matched up against smaller or less physical corners .
2012 Outlook: Having enrolled early the odds are that Chris will see some action this season . How much will largely depend on the development of players who have more time in the system . There is also the possibility of Black becoming a factor as a return specialist .
Comparisons to former Alabama wide receiver A.C. Carter are fitting .
4 (12) MLB – Denzell Devall - 6'1" 240
Bastrop HS - Bastrop , LA
LSWA 4A All-State selection .
Overview: Strong kid with a lot of energy , instinct and ill intent . When he gets to the ball , he packs a serious punch . Alabama won out over LSU , Arkansas , Texas A&M , Oklahoma and TCU .
What he brings: He's a heat seeker type who lays it on the line each and every play . While he's a natural fit in the middle , Devall has experience playing down as an edge rusher much in the same mold of Dont'a Hightower . His motor is always wide open and he's a very sure tackler who arrives on the scene in a hurry . The prime concerns are his lack of height and limited experience in coverage which is expected to be a liability early in his career .
2012 Outlook: It takes more than natural ability to see early action in Alabama’s defense . Devall will have a lot to absorb and learn to play with more discipline before he's able to become a fixture inside . Since staff opinions are a little mixed , we'll call it no better than a 50/50 proposition when it comes to the possibility of his playing as a true freshman .
Devall strongly resembles former Tide MLB Marvin Constant .
4 (11) LB – Dillon Lee - 6'3" 230
Buford HS - Buford , GA
GSWA 2A All-State selection .
Overview: A determined player with deceptive speed , quickness and athleticism . Dillon chose not to follow his brother , Dallas (OL) , to Athens and selected Alabama over Georgia , Florida , Florida State and Clemson .
What he brings: Much like Nico Johnson , Lee looks to have been well coached in high school as he displays solid fundamentals in tackling and in taking proper angles of pursuit . Dillon has plus straight-line speed and plays with a never say die attitude . His experience in high school at tight end is a benefit when it comes to understanding coverage , but this remains the main area in which some improvement is needed . Be it against the run or the pass , he closes gaps quickly and with reckless abandon .
2012 Outlook: Lee enrolled early and had a pretty solid Spring . By all accounts , he's a very fast learner which allowed for the Alabama staff to take a good look at Dillon as a strong , middle and weak linebacker . That said , it appears that he has yet to settle into a position which may or may not become a plus this Fall . A redshirt is possible , but we're leaning towards Lee seeing some action covering kicks on special teams this season . In addition , there is always the possibility of Lee moving to H-Back at some point , if needed .
While Lee is more athletic , his qualities are much in line with what Alabama fans came to expect play after play from Randy Rockwell .
Hillgrove HS - Powder Springs , GA
GSWA 5A All-State selection .
5A 100 meter state champion .
Overview: It's always refreshing to land quality prospects who have their priorities in order . While Drake is clearly a gifted athlete , he's realistic about his future in placing the earning of a college degree as his top priority . Football is important to him , but it’s not his be all , end all with computer engineering being his field of interest . Kenyan picked Alabama over Georgia Tech , Georgia and Tennessee .
What he brings: He could prove to be a great third down or change of pace type of back with an expanded role as Drake could legitimately be used as a WR in some sets . Things similar to how Marshall Faulk made his mark . He has good hands paired with just enough height to pose problems for many to most corners on the outside . Inside , Kenyan has more than enough quickness and acceleration in the open field to leave any covering linebacker in his wake . Once he breaks through the first level of defenders , Drake has the type of top-end speed that is rarely seen .
2012 Outlook: Drakes tends to run a little upright and needs to become a more physical or determined runner between the tackles which makes a redshirt season more than probable . Especially when considering the depth at his position .
Drake most resembles former Tiders Roy Upchurch and Ray Hudson .
4 (13) WR – Chris Black - 5'10 175
First Coast HS , Jacksonville , FL
Under Armour All-America participant .
FHSSA 7A All-State selection .
Overview: Electrifying play-making abilities make Black a legitimate threat to go the distance on every play . Chris chose Alabama over Florida , Florida State , Miami , Notre Dame , Georgia , Tennessee and Clemson .
What he brings: Black isn’t the biggest or strongest guy , but he has good hands along with enough agility and acceleration that it is almost impossible to get a clean shot on him in space . He is not at his best when facing press coverage which makes playing from the slot his most likely destination . That said , he could still prove to be a tough assignment on the outside when matched up against smaller or less physical corners .
2012 Outlook: Having enrolled early the odds are that Chris will see some action this season . How much will largely depend on the development of players who have more time in the system . There is also the possibility of Black becoming a factor as a return specialist .
Comparisons to former Alabama wide receiver A.C. Carter are fitting .
4 (12) MLB – Denzell Devall - 6'1" 240
Bastrop HS - Bastrop , LA
LSWA 4A All-State selection .
Overview: Strong kid with a lot of energy , instinct and ill intent . When he gets to the ball , he packs a serious punch . Alabama won out over LSU , Arkansas , Texas A&M , Oklahoma and TCU .
What he brings: He's a heat seeker type who lays it on the line each and every play . While he's a natural fit in the middle , Devall has experience playing down as an edge rusher much in the same mold of Dont'a Hightower . His motor is always wide open and he's a very sure tackler who arrives on the scene in a hurry . The prime concerns are his lack of height and limited experience in coverage which is expected to be a liability early in his career .
2012 Outlook: It takes more than natural ability to see early action in Alabama’s defense . Devall will have a lot to absorb and learn to play with more discipline before he's able to become a fixture inside . Since staff opinions are a little mixed , we'll call it no better than a 50/50 proposition when it comes to the possibility of his playing as a true freshman .
Devall strongly resembles former Tide MLB Marvin Constant .
4 (11) LB – Dillon Lee - 6'3" 230
Buford HS - Buford , GA
GSWA 2A All-State selection .
Overview: A determined player with deceptive speed , quickness and athleticism . Dillon chose not to follow his brother , Dallas (OL) , to Athens and selected Alabama over Georgia , Florida , Florida State and Clemson .
What he brings: Much like Nico Johnson , Lee looks to have been well coached in high school as he displays solid fundamentals in tackling and in taking proper angles of pursuit . Dillon has plus straight-line speed and plays with a never say die attitude . His experience in high school at tight end is a benefit when it comes to understanding coverage , but this remains the main area in which some improvement is needed . Be it against the run or the pass , he closes gaps quickly and with reckless abandon .
2012 Outlook: Lee enrolled early and had a pretty solid Spring . By all accounts , he's a very fast learner which allowed for the Alabama staff to take a good look at Dillon as a strong , middle and weak linebacker . That said , it appears that he has yet to settle into a position which may or may not become a plus this Fall . A redshirt is possible , but we're leaning towards Lee seeing some action covering kicks on special teams this season . In addition , there is always the possibility of Lee moving to H-Back at some point , if needed .
While Lee is more athletic , his qualities are much in line with what Alabama fans came to expect play after play from Randy Rockwell .
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