March 10, 2015
Aaron Suttles
TideSports.com Senior Writer
Today, Landon Collins will workout for NFL scouts at the University of Alabama's Pro Day. Just two days later, the Nick Saban and staff go about replacing him.
That's the way it goes at Alabama, where the top players stay three years before declaring for the NFL Draft. Collins is the second safety in as many years to forego his senior season. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix did so a year earlier.
Filling Collins' hole in the defense is a top priority as the Crimson Tide begins spring practice Friday. Fortunately, nearly all of the defensive line rotation returns except for nose guard Brandon Ivory.
At linebacker, the team's top sack totaler from 2014, Xzavier Dickson, and middle linebacker Trey DePriest are gone, as are defensive backs Nick Perry and Jarrick Williams.
And it's not just personnel changes that the defense will need to adjust to. There was a bit of a coaching shake up as well.
Defensive coordinator Kirby Smart moves back to coach the inside linebackers after the departure of Kevin Steele to LSU. Tosh Lupoi now coaches the outside linebackers after Lance Thompson went to Auburn. Mel Tucker is now the defensive backs coach, and he'll likely tutor the safeties working alongside Saban, who works with the cornerbacks.
Defensive line coach Bo Davis is the lone remaining defensive assistant coach, and he'll lead a deep, talented unit.
Junior college transfer Jonathan Taylor seems tailor-made to fill the vacant spot at nose guard. The 6-foot-4, 335-pounder was set to start at Georgia last season before his off-the-field troubles saw his exit from the Bulldogs' program.
Reuben Foster has the most playing experience of all the candidate to replace DePriest at middle linebacker, but his injury history and unpolished tackling technique remain concerns. Sophomore Shaun Dion Hamilton is another player that will compete for the Mike linebacker spot.
The secondary has caused the most consternation with Alabama fans the last two years, but there is reason for optimism. Cyrus Jones is set to begin his second year as a starter after a year as the Crimson Tide's most consistent corner in 2014.
Eddie Jackson struggled toward the end of the year, but he showed flashes of his potential, and Bradley Sylve played well in spot duty.
Tony Brown had an up-and-down season, but that's to be expected from a true freshman, and then there's Marlon Humphrey who redshirted last year.
At safety, there are plenty of bodies, but little experience outside of Geno Smith and Jabriel Washington.
Smith saw plenty of action at free safety in 2014. Washington didn't get as many snaps, but he did log valuable experience.
Sophomore Hootie Jones looks the part to replace Collins at strong safety, but that's a lot to ask of a sophomore who only played in seven games (mainly on special teams) in 2014.
Ronnie Clark is also a name to watch. Clark tore his achilles during a running backs drill in practice last October, but he began the season practicing with the secondary. True freshman Deionte Thompson and Ronnie Harrison are also on campus as early enrollees and will go through spring practice.
https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1745428
Aaron Suttles
TideSports.com Senior Writer
Today, Landon Collins will workout for NFL scouts at the University of Alabama's Pro Day. Just two days later, the Nick Saban and staff go about replacing him.
That's the way it goes at Alabama, where the top players stay three years before declaring for the NFL Draft. Collins is the second safety in as many years to forego his senior season. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix did so a year earlier.
Filling Collins' hole in the defense is a top priority as the Crimson Tide begins spring practice Friday. Fortunately, nearly all of the defensive line rotation returns except for nose guard Brandon Ivory.
At linebacker, the team's top sack totaler from 2014, Xzavier Dickson, and middle linebacker Trey DePriest are gone, as are defensive backs Nick Perry and Jarrick Williams.
And it's not just personnel changes that the defense will need to adjust to. There was a bit of a coaching shake up as well.
Defensive coordinator Kirby Smart moves back to coach the inside linebackers after the departure of Kevin Steele to LSU. Tosh Lupoi now coaches the outside linebackers after Lance Thompson went to Auburn. Mel Tucker is now the defensive backs coach, and he'll likely tutor the safeties working alongside Saban, who works with the cornerbacks.
Defensive line coach Bo Davis is the lone remaining defensive assistant coach, and he'll lead a deep, talented unit.
Junior college transfer Jonathan Taylor seems tailor-made to fill the vacant spot at nose guard. The 6-foot-4, 335-pounder was set to start at Georgia last season before his off-the-field troubles saw his exit from the Bulldogs' program.
Reuben Foster has the most playing experience of all the candidate to replace DePriest at middle linebacker, but his injury history and unpolished tackling technique remain concerns. Sophomore Shaun Dion Hamilton is another player that will compete for the Mike linebacker spot.
The secondary has caused the most consternation with Alabama fans the last two years, but there is reason for optimism. Cyrus Jones is set to begin his second year as a starter after a year as the Crimson Tide's most consistent corner in 2014.
Eddie Jackson struggled toward the end of the year, but he showed flashes of his potential, and Bradley Sylve played well in spot duty.
Tony Brown had an up-and-down season, but that's to be expected from a true freshman, and then there's Marlon Humphrey who redshirted last year.
At safety, there are plenty of bodies, but little experience outside of Geno Smith and Jabriel Washington.
Smith saw plenty of action at free safety in 2014. Washington didn't get as many snaps, but he did log valuable experience.
Sophomore Hootie Jones looks the part to replace Collins at strong safety, but that's a lot to ask of a sophomore who only played in seven games (mainly on special teams) in 2014.
Ronnie Clark is also a name to watch. Clark tore his achilles during a running backs drill in practice last October, but he began the season practicing with the secondary. True freshman Deionte Thompson and Ronnie Harrison are also on campus as early enrollees and will go through spring practice.
https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1745428
