Ben Jones
TideSports.com Staff Writer
Keep an eye on these key players for both teams as Alabama and Wisconsin kick off their season in Arlington, Texas this weekend at AT&T Stadium.
ALABAMA
Dillon Lee
Erin Nelson
Position: Outside linebacker
Height: 6-4 Weight: 242 Class: Senior
Key stat: Led Alabama with 12 special teams tackles in 2014.
Buzz: It's finally Lee's time to step in as a full-time starter. He'll open the season as the No. 1 "Sam" backer and should see plenty of time on the field as one of the Crimson Tide's more versatile defenders. Alabama will likely spend more time in its base defense against Wisconsin's rushing attack, but keep an eye on Lee on passing downs. He might drop back in coverage on one play, then rush the quarterback later in a similar situation.
Kenyan Drake
Erin Nelson
Position: Running back
Height: 6-1 Weight: 210 Class: Senior
Key stat: Scored six offensive touchdowns on just 27 total touches before being injured in 2014.
Buzz: Drake might have been a breakout star last year if not for an injury in the fifth game of the season. He's not as big as Derrick Henry, but he's powerful enough to run between the tackles, nimble enough to get outside and versatile enough to be a threat to catch the ball anywhere on the field. He'll be deployed in multiple spots this season.
O.J. Howard
Erin Nelson
Position: Tight end
Height: 6-6 Weight: 242 Class: Junior
Key stat: Had the most catches (17) and yards (260) of any Alabama player returning for this year.
Buzz: The potential has been there for Howard in his first two years, but this season shows more promise. Defensive teammates say Howard improved his blocking in the offseason, which should help him stay on the field for long drives rather than being used in certain situations. Alabama needs production in the passing game, and he can provide it.
WISCONSIN
Corey Clement
Associated Press
Position: Running back
Height: 5-11 Weight: 219 Class: Junior
Key stat: Rushed for 949 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 6.5 yards per carry as Melvin Gordon's backup in 2014.
Buzz: Meet the Badgers' next big back. Clement has piled up 1,496 rushing yards in his first two years as a backup, and the ground game is now his. John Clay, James White, Montee Ball and Melvin Gordon have all posted 1,000+ yard seasons for Wisconsin in the last five years, and Clement should pass that mark with ease as long as he's healthy.
Vince Biegel
Position: Outside linebacker
Height: 6-4 Weight: 246 Class: Junior
Key stat: Had 7.5 tackles for loss and four quarterback hurries as a sophomore.
Buzz: Biegel's name might not come up on every play, but he's the most likely candidate on the defense to cause havoc. Wisconsin runs a 3-4, leaving Biegel and senior Joe Schobert to rush the passer while the inside backers plug up the middle against the run. Biegel will try and poke holes in Alabama's retooled offensive line. The Tide will be watching for him.
Dan Voltz
Position: Center
Height: 6-3 Weight: 301 Class: Junior
Key stat: Started seven games as a freshman in 2013, then all 14 games last year.
Buzz: Wisconsin pumps out offensive linemen at the same rate it produces running backs, and Voltz is one to watch. He was second-team All-Big Ten as a sophomore. Like Alabama, Wisconsin has only two offensive line starters back. But like Alabama, the Badgers return their center and left tackle. Those may be the two most important positions to fill along the line.- See more at: https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1799151#sthash.kn7PUGtE.dpuf
TideSports.com Staff Writer
Keep an eye on these key players for both teams as Alabama and Wisconsin kick off their season in Arlington, Texas this weekend at AT&T Stadium.
ALABAMA
Dillon Lee
Erin Nelson
Position: Outside linebacker
Height: 6-4 Weight: 242 Class: Senior
Key stat: Led Alabama with 12 special teams tackles in 2014.
Buzz: It's finally Lee's time to step in as a full-time starter. He'll open the season as the No. 1 "Sam" backer and should see plenty of time on the field as one of the Crimson Tide's more versatile defenders. Alabama will likely spend more time in its base defense against Wisconsin's rushing attack, but keep an eye on Lee on passing downs. He might drop back in coverage on one play, then rush the quarterback later in a similar situation.
Kenyan Drake
Erin Nelson
Position: Running back
Height: 6-1 Weight: 210 Class: Senior
Key stat: Scored six offensive touchdowns on just 27 total touches before being injured in 2014.
Buzz: Drake might have been a breakout star last year if not for an injury in the fifth game of the season. He's not as big as Derrick Henry, but he's powerful enough to run between the tackles, nimble enough to get outside and versatile enough to be a threat to catch the ball anywhere on the field. He'll be deployed in multiple spots this season.
O.J. Howard
Erin Nelson
Position: Tight end
Height: 6-6 Weight: 242 Class: Junior
Key stat: Had the most catches (17) and yards (260) of any Alabama player returning for this year.
Buzz: The potential has been there for Howard in his first two years, but this season shows more promise. Defensive teammates say Howard improved his blocking in the offseason, which should help him stay on the field for long drives rather than being used in certain situations. Alabama needs production in the passing game, and he can provide it.
WISCONSIN
Corey Clement
Associated Press
Position: Running back
Height: 5-11 Weight: 219 Class: Junior
Key stat: Rushed for 949 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 6.5 yards per carry as Melvin Gordon's backup in 2014.
Buzz: Meet the Badgers' next big back. Clement has piled up 1,496 rushing yards in his first two years as a backup, and the ground game is now his. John Clay, James White, Montee Ball and Melvin Gordon have all posted 1,000+ yard seasons for Wisconsin in the last five years, and Clement should pass that mark with ease as long as he's healthy.
Vince Biegel
Position: Outside linebacker
Height: 6-4 Weight: 246 Class: Junior
Key stat: Had 7.5 tackles for loss and four quarterback hurries as a sophomore.
Buzz: Biegel's name might not come up on every play, but he's the most likely candidate on the defense to cause havoc. Wisconsin runs a 3-4, leaving Biegel and senior Joe Schobert to rush the passer while the inside backers plug up the middle against the run. Biegel will try and poke holes in Alabama's retooled offensive line. The Tide will be watching for him.
Dan Voltz
Position: Center
Height: 6-3 Weight: 301 Class: Junior
Key stat: Started seven games as a freshman in 2013, then all 14 games last year.
Buzz: Wisconsin pumps out offensive linemen at the same rate it produces running backs, and Voltz is one to watch. He was second-team All-Big Ten as a sophomore. Like Alabama, Wisconsin has only two offensive line starters back. But like Alabama, the Badgers return their center and left tackle. Those may be the two most important positions to fill along the line.- See more at: https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1799151#sthash.kn7PUGtE.dpuf
