🏈 Brandon Fanney close to transferring

[BAMANEWSBOT]

By Christopher Walsh,Sports Writer

Multiple sources have told the Tuscaloosa News that University of Alabama senior Brandon Fanney is close to transferring, with North Alabama a likely destination.

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[bamabarney]

Brandon Fanney to transfer

possibly to UNA. Must not of really gotten out of the doghouse from the spring.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/artic...TS?Title=Brandon-Fanney-close-to-transferring

 

[HIGHTIDES]

Bummer. People don't think that highly of Fanney because he struggled to get to qbs, but this is a pretty big loss here (if it happens). My guess is that he is having a hard time getting out of the dog house. Upshaw is a freakin beast, so I think we'll be good.. or there's a good chance we see Hightower move. Either way, losing a starting LB, moving one to a new position and starting a true freshman is kinda scary. But with the talent we have... it could be a major improvement. Truth is, we're going to be hearing about players leaving the team a good bit for the next week or so.

 

[bama_girl12]

I know. The kid has talent it would be a shame to see him go.

 

[TerryP]

Bummer. People don't think that highly of Fanney because he struggled to get to qbs, but this is a pretty big loss here (if it happens). My guess is that he is having a hard time getting out of the dog house. Upshaw is a freakin beast, so I think we'll be good.. or there's a good chance we see Hightower move. Either way, losing a starting LB, moving one to a new position and starting a true freshman is kinda scary. But with the talent we have... it could be a major improvement. Truth is, we're going to be hearing about players leaving the team a good bit for the next week or so.

You are on the mark with your "dog house" guess. Fact is, he's been around the dog house since Saban arrived.

I'd agree, it's not a small loss. While he wasn't as heralded last year as Dont'a, he had about the same numbers on defense as Hightower. I'd have to check to verify it, but I want to say he was our third leading tackler.

 

[Perdido Tide]

He was pretty good - minus the whole pass rush thing. The defense probably wont be as consistent without him, but it will certainly be more athletic.

 

[IllinoisTideFan]

Wow. Anybody have any insights into this? I would love to see Jerrell on the field full-time but I'm really surprised at this.

 

[TerryP]

He was pretty good - minus the whole pass rush thing. The defense probably wont be as consistent without him, but it will certainly be more athletic.

I honestly think some of that problem was attitude. At times, he really could get a good push in the backfield.

Do you remember that play in OT against LSU where he basically had his way with Ciron Black? Wasn't that on one of the "wildcat" formations?

That said, how long has this "story" been making its way around campus? I'm thinking I first heard about him being gone in the middle of May, maybe the third week?

I like what Upshaw can bring. If we do slide Dont'a over at times I wonder if Anders will get the nod. Or, do we slide Reamer as well and let Jerrell play outside.

 

[firestorm]

Kind of surprising, but he stayed in Saban's doghouse the whole spring, and in some way, this don't surprise me a lot. I've always said that I see Dont'a Hightower being moved to Fanney's spot as our Jack hybrid linebacker... :lance:

RTR,

 

[Perdido Tide]

I honestly think some of that problem was attitude. At times, he really could get a good push in the backfield.

Do you remember that play in OT against LSU where he basically had his way with Ciron Black? Wasn't that on one of the "wildcat" formations?

If I remember correctly that was the play where he took on Black, leaving McClain free to stop Richard Murphy for a loss out of bounds. That was huge because Scott had a nice first down run - and we know what happened the next play.

I like what Upshaw can bring. If we do slide Dont'a over at times I wonder if Anders will get the nod. Or, do we slide Reamer as well and let Jerrell play outside.

I really want to see the young guys play, but it would have been nice to have experience all around for the first time in a while. In a perfect world we could have our freshmen come in like Dareus did last year.
I'd like for Hightower to not move and hopefully Upshaw can step up to the plate.

 

[bamabarney]

Could Nico get a look at this position as well? Or maybe move Dont'a over to the jack and Nico get a look at Dont'a spot as backup to Jerrrell or Upshaw?

This is two in two days, I know Coach Saban has to get the number's down soon. Just makes me wounder who is next in line to transfer.

 

[TerryP]

I really want to see the young guys play, but it would have been nice to have experience all around for the first time in a while. In a perfect world we could have our freshmen come in like Dareus did last year.
I'd like for Hightower to not move and hopefully Upshaw can step up to the plate.

I like the idea of Hightower on the line, but only occasionally. There was one personnel grouping this spring that had Upshaw, Dont'a, Dareus and one other guy on the line (can't remember who it was, it wasn't Davis, Chapman, Cody...maybe is was Washington?) that was virtually un-blockable.

I do wonder how Anders is going to play in this shuffle...

 

[HIGHTIDES]

I like the idea of Hightower on the line, but only occasionally. There was one personnel grouping this spring that had Upshaw, Dont'a, Dareus and one other guy on the line (can't remember who it was, it wasn't Davis, Chapman, Cody...maybe is was Washington?) that was virtually un-blockable.

I do wonder how Anders is going to play in this shuffle...

Dude.. I just had this conversation the other day and I couldn't remember the other person either, but I remember when it happened saying.. FINALLY!!!! My favorite players on the line at the same time! I could remember Dareus, Hightower and Upshaw... I couldn't remember the last either. I was guessing Chapman or Washington.

I like the idea of Hightower to jack, but I like him where he is as well. I really want him and Upshaw on the field at the same time though.

To the above poster. Fanney is gone now. Here are the most likely scenarios IMO:

1.) Upshaw becomes starter. He's more than capable. Huge talent, great motor, great tackler and explosive. Not sure how he will handle coverage.

2.) Hightower slides to jack and Nico takes his spot (some may speculate Tana could get the spot instead... but I really doubt that will happen. Nico is closer to being an SEC starter IMO and I believe did more work in the offseason) Hightower we know can hold his own in coverage and should have NO problem getting his hands on some qbs.

I personally would like to see Upshaw become the starter and let Hightower be a situational jack/DE. I'd like to see Nico have some time behind him to slowly gain some experience. The worse thing about losing Fanney is that V Tech is going to run.... A LOT. And Fanney was great against the run. And yes Terry, he was the 3rd leading tackler last year. We could have used his experience. Now I find myself really hoping we stay healthy at linebacker.

My guess is that Anders will remain the rabbit. We'll continue to see him on 3rd down plays as a pass rush specialist.

 

[psychojoe]

Fanney struck me as usually being sound, in position. I'm sure that came with two years of playing Saban's defense. We'll get a little more speed and athleticism out there, but may have a few youthful mistakes to deal with.

 

[TerryP]

Dude.. I just had this conversation the other day and I couldn't remember the other person either, but I remember when it happened saying.. FINALLY!!!! My favorite players on the line at the same time! I could remember Dareus, Hightower and Upshaw... I couldn't remember the last either. I was guessing Chapman or Washington.

I like the idea of Hightower to jack, but I like him where he is as well. I really want him and Upshaw on the field at the same time though.

To the above poster. Fanney is gone now. Here are the most likely scenarios IMO:

1.) Upshaw becomes starter. He's more than capable. Huge talent, great motor, great tackler and explosive. Not sure how he will handle coverage.

2.) Hightower slides to jack and Nico takes his spot (some may speculate Tana could get the spot instead... but I really doubt that will happen. Nico is closer to being an SEC starter IMO and I believe did more work in the offseason) Hightower we know can hold his own in coverage and should have NO problem getting his hands on some qbs.

I personally would like to see Upshaw become the starter and let Hightower be a situational jack/DE. I'd like to see Nico have some time behind him to slowly gain some experience. The worse thing about losing Fanney is that V Tech is going to run.... A LOT. And Fanney was great against the run. And yes Terry, he was the 3rd leading tackler last year. We could have used his experience. Now I find myself really hoping we stay healthy at linebacker.

My guess is that Anders will remain the rabbit. We'll continue to see him on 3rd down plays as a pass rush specialist.

I've been saying all spring and summer that the conversations on how deep we are at linebacker weren't accurate. It was based not only on the prevailing thought that Ro declares for next years draft, but also on the fact I had a suspicion some months ago that Fanney might not be one we could count on.

Even then, he wasn't one of the guys I thought we'd lose or see transfer...I just figured he'd end up missing a few games here and there.

You and I had this discussion on that defensive line grouping back in spring camp. I'll see if I can find the thread...

 

[TerryP]

Here's the thread from April 15th.

It was Washington joining those three.

At the same time Jerrell was seeing time in the rabbit position as well.

 

[HIGHTIDES]

Thanks for posting that... I really gotta learn to stop repeating myself. hahaha.

And yeah, Jerrell being out there as well!?! Woo! I can't wait to see him this year. He has indeed bulked up. I really hope we see that formation a bit. I think we may see it a bit against spread teams. Take out the power and put in the speed... which conveniently comes with power. haha.

 

[firestorm]

I agreed in the fact that we've just lost toughness and consistency holding the ground with Fanney being transfered, but maybe this is the moment to put some emphasis in athleticism and rushing the passer, which is one of our great concerns coming into the year. I don't know if Dont'a is capable of stopping the run on consistent basis and if he's tough enough to hold the ground against some offensive tackles, but IMHO he's the best all-around player in this moment to replace Fanney's departure. He's good going after the quarterback and excels on coverage.

Well, I think Nico is gonna be in contention early to get the nod inside, that it means Dont'a could be free to slide to the Jack several times.

What I don't know now is if Upshaw's tough enough and physicality ready to be the indisputable starter right now. :lance:

RTR,

 

[TerryP]

Thanks for posting that... I really gotta learn to stop repeating myself. hahaha.

And yeah, Jerrell being out there as well!?! Woo! I can't wait to see him this year. He has indeed bulked up. I really hope we see that formation a bit. I think we may see it a bit against spread teams. Take out the power and put in the speed... which conveniently comes with power. haha.

What really stuck out to me was Corey talking about Jerrell playing in that rabbit position. I don't see the middle of our linebackers taking any kind "hit" with sliding Reamer over to fill in for Dont'a. He had a solid season last year as well.

It's going to be a fun season seeing all the personnel groupings.

 

[buckfever]

Addition from subtraction. To me if a guy is a senior and not leading by example then he is a problem. Good luck.