🏈 Alabama's Steady Use of Freshmen Regularly Overlooked

[Max]

You’ve probably heard the rhetoric surrounding each and every recruiting class that head coach Nick Saban has put together for the University of Alabama.

Freshmen don’t play. “You want playing time? Go elsewhere.” Saying yes to Alabama means sitting and waiting for your chance. “You’ll never play there.”

It all gets used against the Crimson Tide, yet Saban keeps landing top classes, having players named All-Americans and drafted, and winning championships.

Moreover, the numbers don’t quite back those sentiments up.

When Alabama won the national title last season, the leading receiver was a true freshman, as were the two players inserted as extra defensive backs in the nickel and dime packages, which as far as the Crimson Tide are concerned, essentially made them starters.

A key contributor on the defensive line and at tight end were true freshmen, while a starting cornerback and offensive lineman were both redshirt freshmen.

This isn’t to say that players don’t get frustrated and never transfer due to lack of playing time, they do. Wide receiver Chris Black didn’t crack the starting lineup and will be suiting up for Missouri this season, and it probably played a part in safety Shawn Burgess-Becker’s decision to leave, which was first reported by 247Sports on Monday.

Overall, Alabama played 12 true freshmen (half of last year’s recruiting class) and nine redshirt freshmen, which was about average since Saban arrived in 2007.

Specifically, the true freshmen who played in 2015 were wide receiver Daylon Charlot, Burgess-Becker, offensive lineman Lester Cotton, defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick, running back Damien Harris, safety Ronnie Harrison, tight end Hale Hentges, running back Xavian Marks, defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne, wide receiver Calvin Ridley, running back Bo Scarbrough and guard Dallas Warmack.

The redshirt freshmen were offensive lineman Josh Casher, running back Ronnie Clark, defensive lineman Johnny Dwight, linebacker Keith Holcombe, cornerback Marlon Humphrey, wide receiver Derek Kief, linebacker Christian Miller, offensive lineman Ross Pierschbacher and defensive lineman O.J. Smith.

Alabama's Steady Use of Freshmen Regularly Overlooked | Bleacher Report

 

[TUSKtimes]

Maybe some of what the kentucky coach was alluding to when he was telling Mac Jones, "We have to live with the consequences of our decisions." He sure wasn't talking about national championships and high draft choices.

High profile recruits want at least the prospect of playing time and Saban couldn't go back to these homes and convince blue-chip recruits if he couldn't or wouldn't deliver. The fact that some of our true freshmen aren't just getting token time during cleanup or just playing on special teams says volumes. These recruits just watched Ridley be the man in our passing game through the national championship. Who can argue with what you see?

 

[Tidestalker]

Every year there are a handful of freshman that play a huge role... Always as a good guess as to which ones will be ready to play. Good read, thanks for posting.

 

[BamaFan334]

Even with waiting, these guys admit it was in their best interest and it made them more complete players ready to contribute at a higher level. To me it's like the NBA, there are one or two guys that can elevate their came to NBA levels out of high school, yet the rest are just wasting it all and causing further career damage. Our coach has it all figured out, yet keeps getting doubted for some reason. You would think his track record would be enough to think "hey, Coach Saban has his shit together and knows exactly what he wants and what he'S looking for".

 

[TUSKtimes]

Really wasn't sure about Cotton and Warmack getting on the field as freshmen linemen, but both could start or seriously contribute this season.

10 true freshmen, playing in a combined 114 games, starting 27. It would be interesting to know how the other 3 teams in the playoff stacked up?

 

[rolltide66]

Wondering if anyone with a database or great analysis skills could put together a show and tell listing of the Freshmen and Red Shirt Freshmen that have logged playing time or made significant contributions since Saban began his epic run.
Something like this would be great to know, and maybe even some great info to salt thru out the interwebs (instagram, twitter, snapchat, and the like) I am getting all tingly just thinking about posting ....but, I'm old and easily excited

 

[bamachine]

The fact that Saban told Julio that he would have to earn PT, that is what sealed the deal. He said everyone else was kissing his ass and promising he would be a starter from day 1. We all know what he went on to do. Saban's methods may not bring in everyone we might want as fans but they end up being the best that can be brought in, no real divas.

 

[UAgrad93]

Saban also told Julio that BAMA would win championships with or without him .

 

[EasyTider]

Saban also told Julio that BAMA would win championships with or without him .