The Alabama Crimson Tide lost the national championship literally in the final second. Here is what the top of their depth chart could look like for 2017.
As a surprise to absolutely no one, the Alabama Crimson Tide project to be the best team in the SEC during the upcoming college football season. When a football team recruits as well as Alabama does, it’s easy to see why head coach Nick Saban will have a team capable of winning the SEC, making the College Football Playoff and competing for a national title.
While Alabama has won the SEC three straight years and made the College Football Playoff in each of them, Alabama has only one national title to show for it. The Crimson Tide lost in the national semifinals to the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2014. Though Alabama defeated the Clemson Tigers in the 2015 National Championship, the Crimson Tide lost to Clemson in the 2016 title bout down in Tampa.
Naturally, expectations are high for Saban’s football team. The SEC is in a down cycle for the conference, with maybe a team or two that can honestly challenge the Crimson Tide for the SEC Championship in Atlanta. The in-state rival Auburn Tigers are probably the toughest matchup in the SEC West. Possibly meeting Alabama in the SEC Championship Game might be whoever wins in Jacksonville near Halloween between the Florida Gators and the Georgia Bulldogs. Either way, Alabama is the clear favorite to win the SEC for the fourth year in a row.
Of course, Alabama will drop a game this fall, maybe two. The Crimson Tide do have a brutal schedule, drawing the Florida State Seminoles Week 1 out of conference and an eight-game SEC schedule.
While Alabama lost several great players to the 2017 NFL Draft, no program in the Power 5 does a better job of reloading with top-tier talent than Alabama. Let’s take a look and see what the top of the depth chart in all three phases of the game looks like for the Crimson Tide.
Offense
Notable Losses: There is both good news and bad news for the Crimson Tide offense. While most of the positions around the ball (quarterback, running back, offensive interior) remain intact from last year, Alabama loses a few key players on the outside and some coordinators. Alabama’s three biggest departures offensively are tight end O.J. Howard, left tackle Cam Robinson and wide receiver ArDarius Stewart. The Crimson Tide have depth at wideout to account for Stewart’s early departure to the NFL. Replacing Howard and Robinson could be a tad trickier. Keep in mind that former offensive coordinators Lane Kiffin and Steve Sarkisian now work for the Florida Atlantic Owls and the Atlanta Falcons, respectively.
Quarterback: Jalen Hurts, Sophomore
While Alabama rolled the dice with a true freshman at quarterback last year in Jalen Hurts, that decision ultimately serves the team heading into 2017. Hurts had a trial-by-fire first season as a starter. Though an adept scrambler, he struggled massively to move the sticks aerially. That being said, he does have a year of starting experience in the defensive-minded SEC at Alabama. Hurts should be solid in his second season as the Crimson Tide’s starting quarterback.
Running Back: Bo Scarbrough, Junior
Running Back: Damien Harris, Junior
Saban loves to pound the rock on offense and has two capable backs to lead the way. Last fall, Damien Harris was the tailback Kiffin leaned on in the running game early on. Mid-way through 2016 saw the emergence of the powerful Bo Scarbrough. While Scarbrough is a serious Heisman Trophy contender, it serves Alabama to use both strong running backs in a healthy rotation. Keep an eye on true freshman Najee Harris but it may be tough to unseat either for starter’s reps barring an injury.
Wide Receiver: Calvin Ridley, Junior
Wide Receiver: Cam Sims, Senior
Losing Stewart a year early isn’t great, but keep in mind that he wasn’t the most gifted wide receiver on the Alabama offense. That would be Calvin Ridley, who will be returning to Alabama for his true junior season. Ridley had a tad of a sophomore slump after an electrifying freshman season in 2015. Likely playing opposite of Ridley on the outside will be senior Cam Sims.
Tight End: Hale Hentges, Junior
Tight end will be a major weakness for the Crimson Tide in 2017. Though he was rarely used in the passing game, there is no denying how incredible of a pass catcher Howard was his last two years in Tuscaloosa. His likely replacement is junior Hale Hentges, who is more of a block-first tight end. Since Robinson left school early, Alabama will look for more blocking out of tight end than they did with Howard.
Left Tackle: Jonah Williams, Sophomore
Left Guard: Ross Pierschbacher, Redshirt Junior
Center: Bradley Bozeman, Redshirt Senior
Right Guard: Lester Cotton, Junior
Right Tackle: Matt Womack, Redshirt Sophomore
Overall, Alabama is in great shape along the offensive line. The offensive interior of left guard Ross Pierschbacher, center Bradley Bozeman and right guard Lester Cotton has a ton of starting experience. However, both tackle spots could be liabilities. Jonah Williams will move from right tackle to left tackle to account for Robinson’s early departure to the NFL. Redshirt sophomore Matt Womack seems to be the guy to beat for right tackle after spring practice.
All-Purpose: Robert Foster, Redshirt Senior
It’s hard to diagnose who Alabama’s special offensive weapon will be. Had Stewart returned to school, it would have been him. Though he won’t be as flashy as Stewart, redshirt senior wide receiver Robert Foster could be that guy. Look for Alabama to use many three wide receiver sets with Ridley, Sims and Foster on the field at the same time.
Defense
Notable Losses: While losing as many players to the NFL Draft would crush most teams, this is why Alabama is Alabama. Saban is a defensive-minded coach and the Crimson Tide have appropriately reloaded. In the front-seven, Alabama lost players like defensive end Jonathan Allen, linebacker Ryan Anderson, linebacker Reuben Foster, defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson, and linebacker Tim Williams. Alabama lost players in the secondary like cornerback Marlon Humphrey and safety Eddie Jackson to the NFL.
Defensive End: Da’Shawn Hand, Senior
Nose Tackle: Da’Ron Payne, Junior
Defensive End: Josh Frazier, Senior
While losing Allen and Tomlinson to the pros would wreck most teams, Alabama has the distinct pleasure of reloading up front in 2017. Look for senior defensive end Da’Shawn Hand to be an absolute monster this fall. Josh Frazier and Da’Ron Payne aren’t nationally known names up front but are upperclassmen at a powerhouse program like Alabama. The Crimson Tide should be alright in the trenches.
WILL: Christian Miller, Redshirt Junior
MIKE: Rashaan Evans, Senior
SAM: Shaun Dion Hamilton, Senior
JACK: Anfernee Jennings, Redshirt Sophomore
Alabama uses a unique 3-4 base defense. It frankly plays more like a 4-3, but that’s because the JACK linebacker is a defensive end/pass rushing hybrid. Look for seniors Rashaan Evans and Shaun Dion Hamilton to be the leaders of this linebacking corps in the middle of the defense. Redshirt Sophomore Anfernee Jennings replaces Williams in the crucial JACK role. Christian Miller should fit in seamlessly at the WILL opposite of Jennings.
Cornerback: Trevon Diggs, Sophomore
Free Safety: Ronnie Harrison, Junior
Strong Safety: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Junior
Cornerback: Anthony Averett, Redshirt Senior
STAR: Tony Brown, Senior
Alabama lost its best secondary player two years early in Humphrey and its emotional leader in Jackson to the 2017 NFL Draft. Fortunately for Saban, this is his area of expertise. Alabama’s best defensive back this year is strong safety, Minkah Fitzpatrick. He’s an incredible ball hawk and might have first-round talent. Senior Tony Brown has had a tumultuous college career but could thrive in the defensive back/linebacker hybrid of STAR.
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Special Teams
Punter Returner: Trevon Diggs, Sophomore
Kick Returner: B.J. Emmons, Sophomore
Punter: J.K. Scott, Senior
Kicker: Anthony Pappanastos, Redshirt Senior
Don’t expect Alabama to be outstanding on special teams. While they have punter extraordinaire J.K. Scott back for his senior year, Jackson went pro and long-time kicker Adam Griffith finally graduated. Redshirt senior Anthony Pappanastos replaces Griffith in field goal kicking. Sophomores Trevon Diggs and B.J. Emmons will handle fielding kicks this fall.