Bama's 2006 O-line class

[Crimson Surfer]

I thought Taylor was out of eligibility.

He meant Justin Britt. Justin moved from defensive tackle to left guard on the offensive line this spring. Whether or not the move is permanent remains to be seen.

 

[TerryP]

I thought Taylor was out of eligibility.

I'm sure he's talking about Justin. (Jr. 2 VL's)

 

[bamabryan]

What wouldn't come as a shock would be seeing Ross move past Cardwell on the depth chart at center: IF, given the reps.

I've mentioned it here a few times...not really making a point about it but thought it was interesting...

While a lot of fans consider Andre' to the the "star" of this OL class...other OLmen on campus have been rated higher on recruiting boards around the SEC. UT, as example, was recruiting the same OLmen that we were and didn't have Andre as high on their list as Ross...due to the experience Ross had in a passing offense.

From everything I have heard, Alabama recruited Ross to play center. Here is a quote from Ross an an interview he had with TI:


As far as the position goes, I really do not know. Whatever I say is just speculation. But I don't think I will be a center. For one thing, Antoine Caldwell is a leader on the offensive line. He's doing very well, and so is Evan Cardwell. They understand a lot more than I do about the speed of the game. I really feel like guard is the spot I'll end up. I think left guard might be more up in the air than right guard. B.J Stabler has played quite a bit at right guard. Marlon Davis is now at left guard [after switching from right guard this spring]. Marlon only played about 50 snaps last season, so I think I have a better shot at left guard.


Ross said later in the interview that he never a played a down at center in high school which I realize does not mean anything in terms of the position he will play at Alabama.

 

[Alakablamo]

I did indeed mean Justin, not Taylor.

For some reason I was under the impression that Justin was working at RT, not LG, though. Either way I hope it turns out for the better, and I won't be dissappointed if he jumps back to DL.

 

[BigBama]

Two words: Von Ewing.

Lets not count our chickens before they hatch. Yall are probably right and this will probably end up being a great class. Injuries, academics and other distractions are always things that can turn the best group into a meaningless group. Lets wait till they get on campus and start knocking against our starting D before we insert them into our starting lineups. I'm high on these guys too but lets wait a few months before anymore grandious claims.

 

[Crimson Surfer]

Two words: Von Ewing.

Lets not count our chickens before they hatch. Yall are probably right and this will probably end up being a great class. Injuries, academics and other distractions are always things that can turn the best group into a meaningless group. Lets wait till they get on campus and start knocking against our starting D before we insert them into our starting lineups. I'm high on these guys too but lets wait a few months before anymore grandious claims.

Two more words: spark cycle

I agree somewhat with what you are saying about NSD basket full of golden eggs that can turn into a fall practice near empty basket of rotten eggs. Unfortunately I still rememeber the 99 DL signee class that was supposed to be the best DL class in history with Albert Means, Mac Tyler, David Paine, etc. that turned out to be not only a bust but a complete disaster.

I think the difference here with the 2005 OL class is the character of these signees. Taylor Pharr and Dre Smith are working hard with a trainer and should show up in great shape after the spark cycle.

As I said earlier, these guys will be fun to watch as they develop into a unit.