BAMANEWSBOT
Staff
It's common for players in a signing class to end up playing a different position from where they were originally listed.
Last year, Calera's Ronnie Clark signed as a defensive back, but was moved to running back before a season-ending injury. He could return at either spot. In 2012, Dakota Ballsigned as a defensive lineman, but is now a tight end. Cyrus Jones has played receiver and cornerback. Blake Sims has played running back before finishing as the Crimson Tide's quarterback as a senior. Those are just a few examples.
Here are some examples of players from this year's signing class who have the versatility to move around.
Bo Scarbrough, 6-2, 235, RB
Scarbrough was a 5-star recruit who signed in 2014, but delayed enrollment because of academics. He is listed as a running back and practiced there in Alabama's workouts before traveling to the Sugar Bowl. Scarbrough could be a big star there, or could excel somewhere else with Alabama's depth at the position. He could work in a hybrid fullback/H-back/tight end role, or even be a big receiver. Time will tell if his career shapes out more like Derrick Henry or Jalston Fowler, but it should be a good one.
Keaton Anderson, 6-1, 215, ILB
The Florence native will probably start out as a key special teams player before growing into what he'll become on defense - either an inside linebacker, outside linebacker or possibly a defensive back. Anderson mentioned he could get a look at the "money" position, an extra defensive back on passing downs, but he manned the middle for the Falcons in high school. He'll fit in somewhere, that's for sure.
Anfernee Jennings, 6-3, 255, LB
The Dadeville standout is listed as a linebacker, but recruiting services list him as a defensive end. Jennings could play either, growing into a pass-rushing end. Or, Jennings could move over and play tight end. He has the frame and abilities to do that, and Alabama tried to sign another tight end to go along with Hale Hentges, but could not.
Lester Cotton, 6-4, 320, OL
There isn't much drama here. Cotton will play on the offensive line. But he's good enough to play guard or tackle. Cotton was the left tackle for Central-Tuscaloosa, but recruiting services listed him as one of the top guards in the country. Nick Saban said Cotton could play tackle and probably will get his first look there since Alabama missed out on the likes of Isaiah Prince (Ohio State) and Drew Richmond (Tennessee) at left tackle.
DeSherrius Flowers, 6-1, 210, RB
The Vigor standout enrolled early and he is another player who could end up on either side of the ball. There have been comparisons to former Alabama safety Mark Barron, though Flowers will start his career on offense. If he isn't a feature back, Flowers figures to be big enough to play a Jalston Fowler role as well.
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Last year, Calera's Ronnie Clark signed as a defensive back, but was moved to running back before a season-ending injury. He could return at either spot. In 2012, Dakota Ballsigned as a defensive lineman, but is now a tight end. Cyrus Jones has played receiver and cornerback. Blake Sims has played running back before finishing as the Crimson Tide's quarterback as a senior. Those are just a few examples.
Here are some examples of players from this year's signing class who have the versatility to move around.
Bo Scarbrough, 6-2, 235, RB
Scarbrough was a 5-star recruit who signed in 2014, but delayed enrollment because of academics. He is listed as a running back and practiced there in Alabama's workouts before traveling to the Sugar Bowl. Scarbrough could be a big star there, or could excel somewhere else with Alabama's depth at the position. He could work in a hybrid fullback/H-back/tight end role, or even be a big receiver. Time will tell if his career shapes out more like Derrick Henry or Jalston Fowler, but it should be a good one.
Keaton Anderson, 6-1, 215, ILB
The Florence native will probably start out as a key special teams player before growing into what he'll become on defense - either an inside linebacker, outside linebacker or possibly a defensive back. Anderson mentioned he could get a look at the "money" position, an extra defensive back on passing downs, but he manned the middle for the Falcons in high school. He'll fit in somewhere, that's for sure.
Anfernee Jennings, 6-3, 255, LB
The Dadeville standout is listed as a linebacker, but recruiting services list him as a defensive end. Jennings could play either, growing into a pass-rushing end. Or, Jennings could move over and play tight end. He has the frame and abilities to do that, and Alabama tried to sign another tight end to go along with Hale Hentges, but could not.
Lester Cotton, 6-4, 320, OL
There isn't much drama here. Cotton will play on the offensive line. But he's good enough to play guard or tackle. Cotton was the left tackle for Central-Tuscaloosa, but recruiting services listed him as one of the top guards in the country. Nick Saban said Cotton could play tackle and probably will get his first look there since Alabama missed out on the likes of Isaiah Prince (Ohio State) and Drew Richmond (Tennessee) at left tackle.
DeSherrius Flowers, 6-1, 210, RB
The Vigor standout enrolled early and he is another player who could end up on either side of the ball. There have been comparisons to former Alabama safety Mark Barron, though Flowers will start his career on offense. If he isn't a feature back, Flowers figures to be big enough to play a Jalston Fowler role as well.
Continue reading...
