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By Alex Byington Sports
TUSCALOOSA ā Alabama head coach Nick Saban has shown a willingness to play the best players, regardless of class or standing. That was evident last season with true freshmen such as Minkah Fitzpatrick
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1. Charles Baldwin, OT, ASA College: Saban has said it dozens of times before: Junior college players are brought in to contribute right away. Baldwin is just that sort of player, rated the nationās top JUCO offensive tackle in this class. At 6-foot-5, 300-pounds, Baldwin should be first in line to replace graduated starting right tackle Dominick Jackson.
2. Ben Davis, ILB, Gordo: As the top inside linebacker in the class and the No. 1 player in the state, Davis will come in with some lofty expectations. By all accounts, the Tide legacy has the goods to make an immediate impact. Davis will be given every opportunity to work his way into the two-deep at middle linebacker.
3. B.J. Emmons, RB, Morganton, North Carolina: Emmonsā ability is unquestioned, and given his 232-pound frame, heās already big enough to take a pounding in the SEC. Given Alabamaās dearth of experienced running backs, the job to replace Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake will be wide open, meaning Emmons will have a chance once he arrives in June to compete alongside returning sophomores Bo Scarbrough and Damien Harris.
4. Jamar King, DL, Mendocino Community College: Another junior college prospect, King is an experienced defensive lineman capable of coming in and adding to Alabamaās defensive front right away. Much like Jarran Reed this past season, Kingās big 290-pound frame could fill the inside holes left by the departures of Reed and AāShawn Robinson.
5. Jonah Williams, OT, Folson, California: The No. 2 offensive tackle in this yearās class, this five-star early enrollee is already ahead of the game. At 6-5, 290 pounds, Williams could also be in the mix to replace Jackson at right tackle, or provide much-needed depth at either tackle spot.
5 others to watch:
1. Lyndell āMackā Wilson, OLB, Montgomery: Rated the nationās No. 2 outside linebacker, Wilson is another player Saban believes has the talent and capacity to contribute immediately.
2. Raekwon Davis, DT, Meridian, Mississippi: At 6-7 and 325 pounds, Davisā big body could be put to immediate use filling gaps along Alabamaās defensive front, providing the first prototypical nose guard since Terrance Cody.
3. Kendell āHulkā Jones, DT, Killeen, Texas: Much like Davis, Jones is listed at a monstrous 6-5 and 350 pounds, and provides the Tide a prototypical gap-filler and block-absorber to load the inside of its line.
4. Jalen Hurts, QB, Channelview, Texas: A dual-threat quarterback, Hurts has already shown his ability while standing in for Clemsonās Deshaun Watson on the scout team before the national title game. With another wide-open quarterback race, Hurts will have a chance to impress.
5. Trevon Diggs, WR, Gaithersburg, Maryland: A big-play receiver with speed on the outside, Diggs ā the younger brother to Minnesota Vikings rookie Stefon Diggs ā could play on special teams while learning behind Calvin Ridley.
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1. Charles Baldwin, OT, ASA College: Saban has said it dozens of times before: Junior college players are brought in to contribute right away. Baldwin is just that sort of player, rated the nationās top JUCO offensive tackle in this class. At 6-foot-5, 300-pounds, Baldwin should be first in line to replace graduated starting right tackle Dominick Jackson.
2. Ben Davis, ILB, Gordo: As the top inside linebacker in the class and the No. 1 player in the state, Davis will come in with some lofty expectations. By all accounts, the Tide legacy has the goods to make an immediate impact. Davis will be given every opportunity to work his way into the two-deep at middle linebacker.
3. B.J. Emmons, RB, Morganton, North Carolina: Emmonsā ability is unquestioned, and given his 232-pound frame, heās already big enough to take a pounding in the SEC. Given Alabamaās dearth of experienced running backs, the job to replace Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake will be wide open, meaning Emmons will have a chance once he arrives in June to compete alongside returning sophomores Bo Scarbrough and Damien Harris.
4. Jamar King, DL, Mendocino Community College: Another junior college prospect, King is an experienced defensive lineman capable of coming in and adding to Alabamaās defensive front right away. Much like Jarran Reed this past season, Kingās big 290-pound frame could fill the inside holes left by the departures of Reed and AāShawn Robinson.
5. Jonah Williams, OT, Folson, California: The No. 2 offensive tackle in this yearās class, this five-star early enrollee is already ahead of the game. At 6-5, 290 pounds, Williams could also be in the mix to replace Jackson at right tackle, or provide much-needed depth at either tackle spot.
5 others to watch:
1. Lyndell āMackā Wilson, OLB, Montgomery: Rated the nationās No. 2 outside linebacker, Wilson is another player Saban believes has the talent and capacity to contribute immediately.
2. Raekwon Davis, DT, Meridian, Mississippi: At 6-7 and 325 pounds, Davisā big body could be put to immediate use filling gaps along Alabamaās defensive front, providing the first prototypical nose guard since Terrance Cody.
3. Kendell āHulkā Jones, DT, Killeen, Texas: Much like Davis, Jones is listed at a monstrous 6-5 and 350 pounds, and provides the Tide a prototypical gap-filler and block-absorber to load the inside of its line.
4. Jalen Hurts, QB, Channelview, Texas: A dual-threat quarterback, Hurts has already shown his ability while standing in for Clemsonās Deshaun Watson on the scout team before the national title game. With another wide-open quarterback race, Hurts will have a chance to impress.
5. Trevon Diggs, WR, Gaithersburg, Maryland: A big-play receiver with speed on the outside, Diggs ā the younger brother to Minnesota Vikings rookie Stefon Diggs ā could play on special teams while learning behind Calvin Ridley.
Decatur DailyāContinue reading...
