| FTBL A stab in the dark at the depth chart...

[imported_Porter]

The most difficult positions to figure out by far are the guys on the O-Line (except for Smith) and the Linebackers. The thing about those positions is, all of those players are interchangeable. There are certainly places that the staff would like to play certain guys, but I think in some cases those players will find themselves elsewhere because of depth (and talent) issues (an example is Mike Johnson). Also, at WR, I think the the top 6 will all essentially be first team guys, and rotate frequently, so don't read too much into Julio and Jones being listed 2nd team. After the team gets 8-10 practices out of the way, a more accurate depth chart will be posted. There are probably some minor mistakes like wrong class listed and stuff, but I tried to scan for mistakes. As of today, this is my best guess at how things will look 3 weeks into the season...

OFFENSE

Quarterback
14 - John Parker Wilson (SR) 6-2 213
17 - Greg McElroy (SO) 6-3 218
2 - Star Jackson (FR)
18 - Nick Fanuzzi (RF) 6-3 201
16 - Thomas Darrah (RF) 6-5 190
17 - Brad Smelley (FR)

Halfback
29 - Terry Grant (SO) 5-10 188
38 - Glen Coffee (JR) 6-2 197
5 - Roy Upchurch (JR) 6-0 192
22 - Mark Ingram (FR)
33 - Demetrius Goode (RF) 5-10 197
31 - Ivan Matchett (FR)
30 - Jonathan Lowe (SR) 5-7 184

Fullback
34 - Jeramie Griffin (RF) 6-0 225
30 - Patrick Hanrahan (SO) 6-0 232

Tight End
88 - Nick Walker (SR) 6-5 255
83 - Travis McCall (SR) 6-2 261
87 - Chris Underwood (RF) 6-4 226
85 - Preston Dial (SO) 6-3 223
89 - Michael Williams (FR)
84 - Colin Peek (JR) 6-6 241*

Left Tackle
71 - Andre Smith (JR) 6-5 340
72 - Tyler Love (FR)
60 - Scott Deaton (JR) 6-6 286

Left Guard
59 - Antoine Caldwell (SR) 6-3 292
74 - David Ross (SO) 6-2 297

Center
73 - William Vlachos (RF) 6-1 295
70 - Evan Cardwell (JR) 6-2 278
75 - Barrett Jones (FR)

Right Guard
76 - Marlon Davis (SR) 6-4 290
66 - Brian Motley (SO) 6-2 280

Right Tackle
78 - Mike Johnson (JR) 6-6 298
68 - Taylor Pharr (SO) 6-6 281
79 - Drew Davis (JR) 6-7 276
97 - John Michael Boswell (FR)

Wide Receiver
15 - Darius Hanks (SO) 6-0 190
8 - Julio Jones (FR)
86 - Chris Jackson (TF) 6-1 195

Wide Receiver
9 - Nikita Stover (SR) 6-0 207
1 - BJ Scott (FR)
4 - Marquis Maze (RF) 5-9 167

Wide Receiver
80 - Mike McCoy (JR) 6-3 199
82 - Earl Alexander (SO) 6-5 210
84 - Brandon Gibson (RF) 6-1 192
7 - Will Oakley (SR) 6-1 196



DEFENSE

Defensive End
52 - Alfred McCollough (SO) 6-2 317
57 - Marcel Dareus (FR)
93 - Bobby Greenwood (SR) 6-5 267
65 - Damion Square (FR)
54 - Glenn Harbin (FR)

Nose Tackle
99 - Josh Chapman (FR) 6-1 300
97 - Lorenzo Washington (JR) 6-4 283
62 - Terrence Cody (JR)

Defensive End
95 - Brandon Deaderick (JR) 6-4 286
96 - Luther Davis (SO) 6-4 275
90 - Milton Talbert (SO) 6-3 252
58 - Nick Gentry (SO) 6-3 263
94 - Undra Billingsley (FR)

Jack Linebacker
56 - Don'ta Hightower (FR)
98 - Brandon Fanney (JR) 6-4 241
41 - Courtney Upshaw (FR)
32 - Eryk Anders (JR) 6-2 225
91 - Alex Watkins (RF) 6-3 218

Weakside Linebacker (ILB)
21 - Prince Hall (JR) 5-11 235
13 - Cory Reamer (SR) 6-4 223
51 - Michael DeJohn (RF) 6-0 220
42 - Jennings Hester (RF) 6-2 224
36 - Chris Jordan (FR)

Middle Linebacker (ILB)
25 - Rolando McClain (SO) 6-4 255
45 - Charlie Higgenbotham (SO) 6-1 211

Strongside Linebacker
5 - Jerrell Harris (FR)
55 - Chavis Williams (SO) 6-4 214
40 - Baron Huber (JR) 6-3 242
35 - Charlie Kirschman (SO) 6-2 225

Left Cornerback
28 - Javier Arenas (JR) 5-9 193
15 - Alonzo Lawrence (FR)
24 - Marquis Johnson (JR) 5-11 186

Free Safety
49 - Rashad Johnson (SR) 6-0 187
26 - Ali Sharrief (JR) 5-9 197
39 - Tyrone King (JR) 5-11 204
37 - Robert Lester (FR)
46 - Wesley Neighbors (FR)

Strong Safety
4 - Mark Barron (FR)
27 - Justin Woodall (JR) 6-2 224
43 - Sam Burnthall (JR) 6-2 185

Right Cornerback
3 - Kareem Jackson (SO) 5-11 185
8 - Chris Rogers (JR) 5-10 192
23 - Robby Green (FR)



SPECIAL TEAMS

Punt Returner
28 - Javier Arenas (JR) 5-9 193
4 - Marquis Maze (RF) 5-9 167
1 - BJ Scott (FR)
30 - Jonathan Lowe (SR) 5-7 184

Kickoff Returners
28 - Javier Arenas (SO) 5-9 193
4 - Marquis Maze (RF) 5-9 167
30 - Jonathan Lowe (SR) 5-7 184
1 - BJ Scott (FR)

Punter
97 - PJ Fitzgerald (JR) 5-11 194
44 - Corey Smith (FR) 6-1 195
77 - Adam Hill (SO) 6-2 192

Placekicker
99 - Leigh Tiffin (JR) 6-1 198
97 - Andrew Friedman (JR) 6-1 210
44 - Corey Smith (FR) 6-1 195

Kickoffs
44 - Corey Smith (TF) 6-1 195
99 - Leigh Tiffin (JR) 6-1 198


(RF) = Redshirt Freshman
(FR) = True Freshman

* = On scholarship, but ineligible to play in 2008

 

[Guest]

188 lbs running back...

 

[imported_porkchop]

Grant could stand to gain some weight, as long as it's not going to cost him speed. His whole game is speed.

The one upside is that Saban likes to rotate his backs anyway, so Grant doesn't have to be the guy carrying it 25 times every game. With his size he couldn't handle it for 12+ games.

 

[imported_Porter]

Also, those are the weights from last spring (or fall actually), whatever they have on RollTide.com. Obviously, most all of them are wrong to some degree or another.

 

[SpecThis]

I think Mark Ingram would be a heavy favorite at Fullback too.

 

[imported_Porter]

I think Mark Ingram would be a heavy favorite at Fullback too.

Keep in mind the FB will have a much lesser role in Mac's offense until it gets down to short yardage and goal line situations.

 

[BamaFan425]

I see we are very thin at ILB, with Cory Reamer starting. I looked him up and he had very little stats. Has he stepped up or is he who's left?

 

[imported_Porter]

I see we are very thin at ILB, with Cory Reamer starting. I looked him up and he had very little stats. Has he stepped up or is he who's left?

He's battled injuries and position changes throughout his career. He has been a very solid special teams player in the past. He has found a home at LB now that he's filled out some and will play quite often in passing situations as he'll be the best cover guy of all the LB's, IMO.

Also, early on, Hightower might be in his spot a lot, but eventually I think he ends up at Jack... especially after Prince Hall returns.

 

[NTT]

So going by the actual starting lineups (the ones TV list when the game starts) we will have 3 freshmen starting? Hightower, Harris, and Barron. With Julio and BJ making significant apperances?

I sure wish somebody would sell me on Javy at corner becuae I sure would like to see Lawrence there. I also wish Ingram would step up because I was unhappy with our trio of running backs last year.

What I am asking is for somebody to sell me on Grant this year over last and Javy. come on guys step up and make me feel better about these 2 positions.

 

[Guest]

Interesting to see Chapman starting at nose....I like that. Heard he has a motor that doesn't quit. Caldwell had said he was pushing hard. If I am not mistaken.

 

[imported_Porter]

So going by the actual starting lineups (the ones TV list when the game starts) we will have 3 freshmen starting? Hightower, Harris, and Barron. With Julio and BJ making significant apperances?

In my opinion yes. You can Marcel Dareus to the list of guys who will get significant playing time too. Possibly even Tyler Love who could earn a starting job at RT.

I sure wish somebody would sell me on Javy at corner becuae I sure would like to see Lawrence there.

Lawrence may well beat him out, but Saban loves the way Javy plays corner.

I also wish Ingram would step up because I was unhappy with our trio of running backs last year.

What I am asking is for somebody to sell me on Grant this year over last and Javy. come on guys step up and make me feel better about these 2 positions.

Terry Grant suffered a sports hernia in the Vandy game that limited him the entire season (until he could have surgery). Those are rather painful, and you may remember how the same injury shut down Ken Darby one season too (after he hurt it in the LSU game). Grand brings a lot to the table at RB when he's healthy. Mix in 4 other guys like Coffee, Upchurch, Goode, and Ingram or Griffin, and we've got a heck of a stable. Speed, quickness, and power abound.

 

[imported_Porter]

Interesting to see Chapman starting at nose....I like that. Heard he has a motor that doesn't quit. Caldwell had said he was pushing hard. If I am not mistaken.

He is a fire hydrant at the nose. I think he is going to have a great season. Strong as an ox too. He was benching 485 the other day, pushing for 500, but the staff pulled the plug.

 

[firestorm]

Hey Porter, I was surprised in the fact you listed Don'ta as the starter Jack linebacker. I know he's built of a granite frame, but what are his puss-rushing and athletic abilities? What do you see on him to be projected as a potential Jack linebacker? Thanks

By the way, if you're right in your prediction there's gonna be a lot of young people on the defensive side man.

RTR,

 

[Guest]

Hey Porter, I was surprised in the fact you listed Don'ta as the starter Jack linebacker. I know he's built of a granite frame, but what are his puss-rushing and athletic abilities? What do you see on him to be projected as a potential Jack linebacker? Thanks

By the way, if you're right in your prediction there's gonna be a lot of young people on the defensive side man.

RTR,

:shock: Puss-rushing? :lol: But yeah, I'm also curious about this.

 

[firestorm]

Puss-rushing? But yeah, I'm also curious about this.

I guess if he's gonna be placed as Jack LB, he'll get some puss-rushing duties... :roll:

Sorry if I really put my foot in it.

RTR,

 

[TerryP]

Made it to the LG spot, saw Center, and had to respond. You are really "hung up" on Vlachos at C and sliding Caldwell filling the LG spot, eh?

I'm not saying I don't like it, but I do find it interesting seeing this is the 3rd-4th time I've seen you come out with that in the last few weeks.

OK, went to the two tabs open here.

I'm thinking, with nothing to base this on, Motley slides back to D. That's where I would have Vlachos.

Bobby Greenwood. Getting good reports on him. I suspect he'll surprise this year especially considering he played all last year with a hurt back.

Gentry before Talbert and Davis.

I know, 3 weeks in the season...let's bump this back up after Tulane and check it out B.

 

[rtauburnsucks]

Im kinda surprised not to see Boddy Greenwood starting. He is a senior with some experience. I dont think he loses his starting job......now, I do hope to see alot of rotation on the DL, I think that will help our Defense out more than anything. BTW, is anyone else really excited about Alonzo Lawerence? I think that kid is going to be the sleeper of the 2008 class.

 

[shipley00]

Made it to the LG spot, saw Center, and had to respond. You are really "hung up" on Vlachos at C and sliding Caldwell filling the LG spot, eh?

I'm not saying I don't like it, but I do find it interesting seeing this is the 3rd-4th time I've seen you come out with that in the last few weeks.

OK, went to the two tabs open here.

I'm thinking, with nothing to base this on, Motley slides back to D. That's where I would have Vlachos.

Bobby Greenwood. Getting good reports on him. I suspect he'll surprise this year especially considering he played all last year with a hurt back.

Gentry before Talbert and Davis.

I know, 3 weeks in the season...let's bump this back up after Tulane and check it out B.

Those were my top two questions: Caldwell to LG and Greenwood to 3rd on the depthchart.

 

[Guest]

A couple of thinks on the Weak ILB position. I'm confident that Reamer can give us some valuable playing time. I really love what hes done for us on special teams, he closes and tackles very well. He deserves a shot after all the injuries he's been through. As for DeJohn, I'm pumped to see him get a little playing time. I know it's somewhat of a longshot, but I love how well he closed when he was at Hoover. I know Outlaw can agree with that. :wink:

Also, do you think Barron might get a shot at LB Porter? I wouldn't mind seeing him in the rotation either, I'm thinking Woodall will bring the heat this fall...could end up being a battle. At least he should...finally. :lol:

 

[alagator]

Paraphrasing a likely Saban response, in my best Jim Mora voice...

Depth Chart!?

DEPTH CHART!?

We don't have no stinking depth chart!

Just couldn't resist.

In all seriousness, looking a little bit better than in the immediate past. But there are still an awful lot of holes in too many places for us to challenge for a conference title. The only thing to look forward to is Saban has demonstrated (both at LSU and his short time with us) he can recruit our way out of this hole. 2009 and 2010 are beginning to look very promising.