🏈 BOL: BJ Scott Makes The Move To Defense

[Guest]

Here free on BOL.

The long-rumored switch from offense to defense for B.J. Scott is a rumor no more.

After playing sparingly at wide receiver as a true freshman in the fall, the former five-star recruit from Mobile will be practicing in the secondary when spring drills commence next month, a source close to the team told BamaOnLine.com. Scott (5-11, 188 pounds) was a two-way standout at Prichard Vigor High, and started at cornerback in the 2007 Alabama-Mississippi All-Star game.

 

[TerryP]

"I think safety, maybe strong safety, would be his best position," said Vigor coach Kerry Stephenson, who was not BOL's source for the news. "He's a vicious tackler, now. … He's a natural defender. He was always more aggressive on that side of the ball – it just came easy to him."

The move makes sense on several levels. UA coach Nick Saban noted that Scott has two-way ability after Scott signed with the Crimson Tide a year ago. Earlier this month when discussing his latest signing class, Saban remarked that defensive back was the one area in which he would have liked to have signed another player or two. Alabama is expected to have 12 scholarship defensive backs on scholarship when spring drills commence. However, half of those will be seniors this fall, and seven will enter the 2009 season with little or no game experience. UA signed only two defensive backs on signing day: Dre Kirkpatrick and Rod Woodson. While Scott's move would remove one candidate from the pool of competition for a much-needed No.2 receiver, it would help alleviate what will be a thin secondary group entering 2010.

The move was anticipated to happen in time for Sugar Bowl practices, but when preparations began for the BCS game, Scott remained with the receivers. Freshmen Michael Williams (now at tight end) and Chris Jackson (now at safety) were the only position changes made at that time.

Scott played in nine games for Alabama last season, but was not part of the regular receiving rotation and caught only two passes.

 

[Guest]

Terry, what do you think about him moving to the safety position like his former coach mentioned? Or do you think he moves to corner?

 

[TerryP]

Terry, what do you think about him moving to the safety position like his former coach mentioned? Or do you think he moves to corner?

I caught wind of the thoughts he was going to safety and found it interesting.

When we put together our projected spring depth chart we all felt he'd be in the secondary, and we all felt he'd end up backing up Kareem Jackson.

It really doesn't change any of the questions I've had going into spring camp and the fall.

• Considering Tyrone King was awarded a scholarship last season because we had one left, does he get his renewed or does it go to another player?
• Is the staff expecting Dre Kirkpatrick to be able to compete in a CB role as a true frosh?
• I think of Barron and Scott... :lol:

 

[alagator]

Scott played in nine games for Alabama last season, but was not part of the regular receiving rotation and caught only two passes.

What is it that Saban says when it involves someone that does not fit into his plans? That instead of cutting them or running them off, he merely makes them 'irrelevant' through lack of playing time and/or practice reps?

Anyone else think this sounds like BJ saw that being an 'irrelevant' option while trying to be a glamor WR was less appealing than being a 'relevant' option at the more mundane DB position?

 

[TerryP]

Scott played in nine games for Alabama last season, but was not part of the regular receiving rotation and caught only two passes.

What is it that Saban says when it involves someone that does not fit into his plans? That instead of cutting them or running them off, he merely makes them 'irrelevant' through lack of playing time and/or practice reps?

Anyone else think this sounds like BJ saw that being an 'irrelevant' option while trying to be a glamor WR was less appealing than being a 'relevant' option at the more mundane DB position?

Saban has had his eyes on BJ in the defensive secondary since day one. Heck, it was one the comments he made during his post-NSD press conference about BJ.

I don't see him having any contributions last season if he'd started out in the secondary...that is, other than special teams.

 

[imported_porkchop]

Scott played in nine games for Alabama last season, but was not part of the regular receiving rotation and caught only two passes.

What is it that Saban says when it involves someone that does not fit into his plans? That instead of cutting them or running them off, he merely makes them 'irrelevant' through lack of playing time and/or practice reps?

Anyone else think this sounds like BJ saw that being an 'irrelevant' option while trying to be a glamor WR was less appealing than being a 'relevant' option at the more mundane DB position?

I think in the end, Scott is a football player that wants to play. He may not be a wide receiver per say, but he's a football player and I think B.J. knows that switching positions is the way for him to go. He wants to get on the field and have a shot at playing on Sundays in the future, so I'm sure he understands what he has to do.

 

[alagator]

I think in the end, Scott is a football player that wants to play. He may not be a wide receiver per say, but he's a football player and I think B.J. knows that switching positions is the way for him to go. He wants to get on the field and have a shot at playing on Sundays in the future, so I'm sure he understands what he has to do.

Isn't that pretty much what I said?

Better to "play" (= be relevant) as a DB than to "not play" (= be irrelevant) as a WR.

Regardless of where Saban and staff may have envisioned Scott playing when they signed him, they gave him the option (apparently) on which side of the ball Scott would have his first opportunity. (By the way, I think this screams volumes about what type of opportunities Saban gives recruits and how he would not say one thing on the recruiting trail just to secure a commitment/signature and do something completely different two days or two weeks into the young man's career once on campus.) Scott, seeing his playing time and practice reps not live up to his expectations at WR saw a more 'relevant' opportunity across the ball.

I actually was not being critical of anyone in this 'process.' In fact, just the opposite - although my presentation style may have clouded by point.

 

[imported_porkchop]

Isn't that pretty much what I said?

Yeah, sorry. I guess I was thinking the same thing and just reiterated.

 

[jdpas29]

i think his size and strength along with our need at the position will push him more in the direction of safety.

i hope to see him on the field more in any event.

 

[Guest]

Son, you can make a lot of money on Sunday's if you want to go over there to that side of the ball, aight. Or, you can stand over here and watch for the next three years. It's not a tough decision. Let's go, aight?

 

[BamaFan615]

I've always felt like BJ belonged on the defensive side of the ball. If you watch his high school tape, his defensive skills are much further along than his offense. I think that most schools were recruiting him as a CB to begin with anyway.

 

[Guest]

Whenever everyone said we have to try him on offense first, I was the one of the guys who wanted him on defense. He'll make a great CB if that's where he ends up, but can you imagine Barron and Scott at the safety positions in 10' and 11'? ^^MWA

 

[TerryP]

Whenever everyone said we have to try him on offense first, I was the one of the guys who wanted him on defense. He'll make a great CB if that's where he ends up, but can you imagine Barron and Scott at the safety positions in 10' and 11'? ^^MWA

That needs to be stated with the caveat he was told he'd have his shot on the offensive side of the ball.

I really believe, and have no problem with the method, that we will end up seeing kids every year with a little time spent on offense because they'll be told they can play whatever position suits them (they want.) Especially, with the number of ATH's we see being offered this year.

One example of that is with Keenan Allen; ATH out of North Carolina. I won't be surprised if we see a verbal from him before the '09 season starts, but his recruitment right now is on the lines of "we need athletes like you, and you can play what position you want when you get to school."

Here's a video showing the number of different positions this kid can play. Just having him on the field is a plus!

Video

 

[Guest]

Whenever everyone said we have to try him on offense first, I was the one of the guys who wanted him on defense. He'll make a great CB if that's where he ends up, but can you imagine Barron and Scott at the safety positions in 10' and 11'? ^^MWA

That needs to be stated with the caveat he was told he'd have his shot on the offensive side of the ball.

I really believe, and have no problem with the method, that we will end up seeing kids every year with a little time spent on offense because they'll be told they can play whatever position suits them (they want.) Especially, with the number of ATH's we see being offered this year.

One example of that is with Keenan Allen; ATH out of North Carolina. I won't be surprised if we see a verbal from him before the '09 season starts, but his recruitment right now is on the lines of "we need athletes like you, and you can play what position you want when you get to school."

Here's a video showing the number of different positions this kid can play. Just having him on the field is a plus!

Video

Yeah I knew Scott had the choice of what position he wanted to play, but most felt(from what I can remember) that he would be a great fit on offense. Not saying it was a waste of time, because he probably wouldn't of seen much more of the field on the defensive side. Just think he's finally at home. As for Allen, I read a little bit about him on BOL. I definitely wouldn't mind seeing him on offense first. I know it's a process finding a position for athletes such as Allen and Scott though.

 

[TidePride50]

This is a move I have been ready to see for a while now.