Which freshmen will play? [by JessN]

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Which freshmen will play?
by Jess Nicholas
August 3, 2007

Here’s a look at the incoming freshmen and transfer signees on the 2007 Alabama football team, and a quick assessment of which will and won’t play this upcoming season:

Will definitely play
Name | Pos | Ht | Wt | 40time | NARCAS rating

1. Rolando McClain | LB | 6-4 | 240 | 4.6 | 10.0
There was little doubt McClain was a shoo-in for playing time when he committed to Alabama, but after watching Alabama’s linebackers in the spring, the notion was cast in cement. McClain has a chance to win a starting job at any one of three different positions: the Jack OLB/end combination, and either inside linebacker slot. It appears McClain is going to get the jersey No. 1, as well – which should be a sign of how the coaches regard him.

2. Jeramie Griffin | FB | 5-11 | 230 | 4.6 | 9.8
Nick Saban prefers a strong running game, and to get that, a fullback or at least an H-back is a virtual necessity in the SEC, unless a team plans on running a gimmick offense. In the spring, Baron Huber proved capable and walk-on Patrick Hanrahan was better than expected as the backup. But Jeramie Griffin is the kind of freshman that could start from day one, and has the athleticism to be a difference-maker. While Huber will probably hold onto the starting slot, at least in the early going, Griffin is a good bet to earn early playing time.

3. Kareem Jackson | CB | 5-11 | 185 | 4.5 | 9.2
Jackson wasn’t the highest rated player Alabama signed, but he was able to participate in spring drills and because of it, made a big move up the depth chart. Jackson’s primary advantage over others is that he showed up in top physical shape and displayed an aggressive attitude. Alabama has had a softness problem at some positions in its secondary for a couple of years now. There’s an even-money shot Jackson wins a starting cornerback job opposite Simeon Castille.


Will almost certainly play
4. Josh Chapman | DT | 6-1 | 295 | 5.1 | 9.6
Chapman is one of several signees that has a chance to earn playing time on Alabama’s defensive line, which was geared for the previous staff’s 4-3 and 3-3-5 alignments rather than Saban’s aggressive 3-4, 5-2 and 3-1-3 looks. The quickest path to playing time for newcomers will be at noseguard, and anyone who fits the type will get a look. Josh Chapman is possibly the best of that bunch; he’s built like a brick wall and came from a strong high school program.

5. Alfred McCullough | DT | 6-2 | 300 | 5.1 | 9.9
McCullough was rated higher out of high school than Chapman, but Chapman might be a touch further along physically. Regardless, both players have a chance to make their presence felt early. McCullough reportedly applied himself to weight training in the offseason.

Will probably play
6. Luther Davis | DE | 6-4 | 265 | 4.8 | 10.0
Davis is the top defensive end/tackle combo player Alabama signed in the previous class, and there are several positions at which he could earn early playing time. Davis was the first major prospect Saban was able to pull from Louisiana after joining the Crimson Tide. If he plays up to potential, he could challenge Bobby Greenwood for a starting position.

On the bubble
7. Brandon Gibson | WR | 6-2 | 195 | 4.5 | 10.0
Gibson was Alabama’s prize on offense, a top wide receiver with good hands and speed and a physical makeup. The only thing making his appearance on the field this year a question mark is sheer numbers. Alabama’s wide receiver corps is stocked with veterans, and several of them (and some of the younger players as well) had solid springs. Gibson could still crack the playing rotation, but he’s going to have to make a big, early impression once fall camp gets going. If he plays, it will only be because he can contribute.

8. Chris Lett | CB | 6-1 | 200 | 4.4 | 9.9
Lett committed to Mike Shula’s staff, but he’s everything a Nick Saban cornerback usually is: big, physical and plays with a mean streak. Like Brandon Gibson, Lett’s path to playing time is blocked by several veterans, but given how uneven Alabama’s secondary play was last fall and through the spring, anything’s possible. If Lett can handle safety as well as cornerback, he opens up a whole new set of possibilities.

9. Tarence Farmer | SS | 6-1 | 195 | 4.5 | 9.9
Farmer has the same opportunities as Lett and Ricks. Safety is an unsettled picture for Alabama, and the coaches are looking for playmakers wherever they can be found. If Farmer stays on defense – he’s also a candidate to play at wide receiver – he has an excellent shot of winning playing time at either safety position, but his physique seems well-suited to the strong side. If Ricks qualifies, however, Farmer probably redshirts.

10. Demetrius Goode | RB | 5-10 | 205 | 4.4 | 9.8
Given that Alabama had already signed Jamar Taylor and had a backlog of talent on hand that was set to return for 2007, signing Goode after he took over caused many fans to question Saban. Those questions proved unfounded when Taylor left the team after spring drills and none of the other backs separated themselves from the pack. Physically, Goode is on the bigger side of average among Alabama’s current stable. It will be interesting to see his first few days of camp. If Goode doesn’t prove to be a star early on in camp, however, he’ll probably redshirt to add bulk.

11. Jeremy Elder | DT | 6-3 | 275 | 4.9 | 9.4
Elder finds himself in the same box as Luther Davis. He’s a tackle/end combo player at this point due to his size, and there are opportunities for him to play early. Elder isn’t quite in Davis’ league as an athlete, however, so like Goode at running back, unless he displays breakthrough-level ability early on, a redshirt makes a lot of sense.

12. Marquis Maze | WR | 5-9 | 165 | 4.4 | 9.9
Maze was signed primarily for his kick return abilities. He’s also got some value as a slot receiver. Jonathan Lowe and Javier Arenas stole the show in the spring as kick returners, but when Lowe was declared ineligible for the fall, it opened up the possibility of Maze returning kicks this year -- although RB Terry Grant is also in the mix. Maze also has a ways to go physically, and needs better conditioning.

Will probably redshirt

13. Alex Watkins | DE | 6-3 | 210 | 4.6 | 9.7
Watkins is custom-built for the Jack role in Alabama’s defense, and could also play outside linebacker. While there is a better chance of playing at Jack than OLB – Ezekial Knight nailed down outside linebacker in the spring and could challenge for all-conference honors if he stays healthy – Watkins still is probably a year away physically.

14. William Vlachos | C | 6-2 | 300 | 5.2 | 9.7
Vlachos gets high marks from many for his work at center, but he’ll be playing a positioned manned by one of Alabama’s five best players (Antoine Caldwell) and a backup, Evan Cardwell, who performed solidly in 2006. The Saban staff didn’t seem quite as high on Vlachos as the previous staff did, but many believe he’s a great center in the making and will show it soon after getting to Tuscaloosa.

15. Chavis Williams | DE | 6-5 | 220 | 4.6 | 9.6
Williams is another that could play Jack or outside linebacker, but Jack or the rush end position currently played by Wallace Gilberry seems to be his more likely destination. If Williams is going to move to defensive end, he’ll be a definite redshirt; 220 pounds is too light for end in the SEC. If he stays at Jack, however, he could compete for a starting job. The first few days of fall camp will be crucial for Williams.

16. Nick Fanuzzi | QB | 6-3 | 220 | 4.6 | 9.5
With Jimmy Barnes quitting the team after the spring, Nick Fanuzzi arrives at Alabama as the No. 3 quarterback without having to take even one practice snap. If John Parker Wilson stays healthy for the entire season, Fanuzzi will probably redshirt. If Wilson gets hurt and is forced to miss any significant time, however, Fanuzzi might see the field as either Greg McElroy’s backup or perhaps the starter himself. McElroy’s spring didn’t exactly go as hoped, leading some to believe Fanuzzi stands a good chance at emerging from fall camp as Wilson’s backup, but a redshirt just makes a lot of logical sense.

17. Patrick Crump | OG | 6-3 | 290 | 5.2 | 9.4
Like Vlachos, Crump was once a grayshirt candidate who found himself reporting on time after Saban got to campus. Word is the new staff is more impressed with Crump than the previous staff was, and given injury troubles at the guard positions over the past two years, Crump could find himself playing in an emergency. Most likely, however, he’ll redshirt.

18. Darius Hanks | WR | 6-2 | 170 | 4.4 | 9.3
Hanks has a lot of speed, but was a relatively late bloomer in the recruiting game this past year. The same depth surplus that threatens to keep Brandon Gibson off the field will affect Hanks, and Gibson is considered to be far ahead of Hanks in terms of development.

19. Chris Underwood | TE | 6-4 | 215 | 4.6 | 9.2
Saban targeted Underwood after arriving at Alabama, a surprise given the fact Alabama already has four tight ends on scholarship. Underwood needs a little bulking up, but he has the reputation as a hard worker and a top-flight character guy. Numbers will probably lead to a redshirt in 2007, but big things are expected down the road.

20. Jennings Hester | LB | 6-3 | 225 | 4.7 | 9.2
Many thought the lightly-recruited Hester would be encouraged to drop his commitment after Saban took over at Alabama, but Hester stuck with Alabama and the staff seems to like him. Hester has an outside shot at playing time, but it would have to come at the expense of someone else’s injury, given he’s behind McClain in the pecking order.

Won’t play/will redshirt
21. Jamar Taylor | RB | 5-9 | 210 | 4.6 | 9.5
Taylor had played his way perhaps even into a starting role after spring, but homesickness and an ill fit in Tuscaloosa took over after that. He left the team in the summer, said to be heading to South Florida.

22. Nick Gentry | DT | 6-1 | 270 | 5.0 | 9.6
Gentry had surgery in the offseason on his shoulder, which doesn’t preclude him from getting playing time, but certainly didn’t make things easier. He’s missed several months of weight training and will be behind the others once practice starts. A redshirt seems almost certain.

23. Kerry Murphy | DT | 6-4 | 325 | 5.2 | 9.8
Murphy failed to qualify and will begin his career, most likely, in prep school.

24. Michael Ricks | FS | 6-2 | 190 | 4.4 | 9.6
Ricks failed to qualify out of junior college, and his future with Alabama may be in jeopardy.