Aaron Suttles
TideSports.com Senior Writer
Don't expect UA coach Nick Saban to wallow in the results from last Thursday's 42-35 loss to Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl, which ended the Crimson Tide's season at 12-2. The 63-year-old head coach doesn't look back to celebrate the achievements of 2014, including his third SEC Championship at UA, so don't expect him to pout over the disappointments.
Saban's attention likely turned to recruiting -- finishing off the 2015 class while getting a jump start on the 2016 class. His eyes always remain firmly affixed in the present with thoughts toward the future.
Jarran Reed had a strong second half of the season and could declare for the NFL Draft.
Alabama's starting lineup will turnover significantly in 2015, especially if a handful of juniors forgo their senior seasons to declare for the NFL Draft. The deadline for underclassmen to declare is Jan. 15.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper and safety Landon Collins are both first-round projections and are almost certain to enter the draft. Couple that with a total of 13 senior starters or regular contributors departing, and Alabama's starting lineup has holes to fill when spring practice rolls around.
On the offense, three offensive linemen must be replaced, including All-American left guard Arie Kouandjio, who started all 14 games his senior season, right tackle Austin Shepherd, who also started every game, and right guard Leon Brown, who started 12 games.
For the second straight season, the starting quarterback role is up for grabs, as Blake Sims exits having rewritten a large portion of the passing section of the school record book. Fullback and jack of all trades Jalston Fowler must also be replaced along with wide receivers DeAndrew White, Christion Jones and tight end Brian Vogler.
On defense, All-American middle linebacker Trey DePriest leaves along with nose guard Brandon Ivory, safeties Nick Perry and Jarrick Williams and the team's pass rusher linebacker Xzavier Dickson.
Then there are those juniors weighing whether or not to turn professional: running back T.J. Yeldon, linebacker Reggie Ragland and defensive lineman Jarran Reed. Yeldon is the best bet among those to enter the draft. While dealing with injuries throughout the season, he rushed for 979 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Ragland was second on the team in tackles with 95, including 10.5 tackles for loss. Last week Ragland told NFL.com College Football 24/7 reporter Chase Goodbread that he asked for feedback from the NFL Draft Advisory Board.
"I feel like I will (be back), but I have to pray about it and see what my family wants," Ragland told Goodbread. "At the end of the day, I'll make the best decision for me and my family. I put in for feedback to see what it would be, and I think I got a nice little result..."
Reed helped clog up the middle, recording 55 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss, and really stood out the second half of the season.
Random stat
Alabama lacked a 1,000-yard rusher for the first time since 2010 when a trio of talented backfield mates split carries.
Sophomore running back Derrick Henry led the team with 990 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns on 172 carries for a 5.8-yard average. Junior T.J. Yeldon, who dealt various injuries that last fourth of the season, rushed for 979 yards and 11 touchdowns on 194 carries for a 5.0-yard average.
It was the first time since 2010 that a Crimson Tide back failed to reach 1,000 yards. That year Mark Ingram led the team with 875 yards, Trent Richardson was second with 700 and Eddie Lacy rushed for 406.
- See more at: https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1722334#sthash.HuaVkC8t.dpuf
TideSports.com Senior Writer
Don't expect UA coach Nick Saban to wallow in the results from last Thursday's 42-35 loss to Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl, which ended the Crimson Tide's season at 12-2. The 63-year-old head coach doesn't look back to celebrate the achievements of 2014, including his third SEC Championship at UA, so don't expect him to pout over the disappointments.
Saban's attention likely turned to recruiting -- finishing off the 2015 class while getting a jump start on the 2016 class. His eyes always remain firmly affixed in the present with thoughts toward the future.
Jarran Reed had a strong second half of the season and could declare for the NFL Draft.
Alabama's starting lineup will turnover significantly in 2015, especially if a handful of juniors forgo their senior seasons to declare for the NFL Draft. The deadline for underclassmen to declare is Jan. 15.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper and safety Landon Collins are both first-round projections and are almost certain to enter the draft. Couple that with a total of 13 senior starters or regular contributors departing, and Alabama's starting lineup has holes to fill when spring practice rolls around.
On the offense, three offensive linemen must be replaced, including All-American left guard Arie Kouandjio, who started all 14 games his senior season, right tackle Austin Shepherd, who also started every game, and right guard Leon Brown, who started 12 games.
For the second straight season, the starting quarterback role is up for grabs, as Blake Sims exits having rewritten a large portion of the passing section of the school record book. Fullback and jack of all trades Jalston Fowler must also be replaced along with wide receivers DeAndrew White, Christion Jones and tight end Brian Vogler.
On defense, All-American middle linebacker Trey DePriest leaves along with nose guard Brandon Ivory, safeties Nick Perry and Jarrick Williams and the team's pass rusher linebacker Xzavier Dickson.
Then there are those juniors weighing whether or not to turn professional: running back T.J. Yeldon, linebacker Reggie Ragland and defensive lineman Jarran Reed. Yeldon is the best bet among those to enter the draft. While dealing with injuries throughout the season, he rushed for 979 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Ragland was second on the team in tackles with 95, including 10.5 tackles for loss. Last week Ragland told NFL.com College Football 24/7 reporter Chase Goodbread that he asked for feedback from the NFL Draft Advisory Board.
"I feel like I will (be back), but I have to pray about it and see what my family wants," Ragland told Goodbread. "At the end of the day, I'll make the best decision for me and my family. I put in for feedback to see what it would be, and I think I got a nice little result..."
Reed helped clog up the middle, recording 55 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss, and really stood out the second half of the season.
Random stat
Alabama lacked a 1,000-yard rusher for the first time since 2010 when a trio of talented backfield mates split carries.
Sophomore running back Derrick Henry led the team with 990 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns on 172 carries for a 5.8-yard average. Junior T.J. Yeldon, who dealt various injuries that last fourth of the season, rushed for 979 yards and 11 touchdowns on 194 carries for a 5.0-yard average.
It was the first time since 2010 that a Crimson Tide back failed to reach 1,000 yards. That year Mark Ingram led the team with 875 yards, Trent Richardson was second with 700 and Eddie Lacy rushed for 406.
- See more at: https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1722334#sthash.HuaVkC8t.dpuf
