http://alabama.247sports.com/Article/Fifteen-predictions-for-Alabama-football-in-2015-34495902
What do you guys think?
1. Despite losing three starters, the offensive line will be improved.
Arie Kouandjio, Austin Shepherd and Leon Brown have used up their eligibility and will be leaving three giant holes along the Crimson Tideās offensive line. Ryan Kelly and Cameron Robinson will be back at center and left tackle, respectively. But with the talent and depth coming up, Alabama should be fine ā if not better ā on the O-line in 2015. Guys like Grant Hill, Bradley Bozeman and Dominick Jackson could possibly fill the available roles.
2. Jacob Coker wonāt pass for 3,200 yards.
Coker is the favorite to take over as Alabamaās starting quarterback, filling the void left under center by Blake Sims. And even though Coker possesses a live arm, he will not put up the 3,487 yards Sims did this past season. In fact, Coker probably will not throw for more than 3,200 yards. Part of that is because the Florida State transfer doesnāt have a dynamic receiver like Amari Cooper, and part of that is Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake will demand carries in Lane Kiffinās offense.
3. Derrick Henry will rush for 1,200 yards.
Another area where an expected early departure -- TJ Yeldon -- could leave a void to be filled. In 2014, Alabama nearly had two 1,000-yard rushers in Henry (990 yards) and Yeldon (979). Instead, the Crimson Tide finished a season without a 1,000-yard rusher for the first time since 2010. That won't be a problem in 2015 as 200-plus carries will result in a 1,200-yard season for the rising junior.
4. ArDarius Stewart will emerge as the Tide's top receiver.
After building momentum throughout the season, an ankle injury robbed the redshirt freshman of a strong finish. With Amari Cooper expected to head to the NFL and DeAndrew White out of eligibility, the opportunity will be there for Stewart to vault to the top of the rotation. Like Cooper, Stewart's versatility will make him difficult to account for, as he'll likely line up at a number of different spots in 2015.
Henry could post big numbers at running back in 2015.
5. Rashaan Evans will start at Jack linebacker.
Evans saw the field some in his freshman season and showed flashes as an explosive force off the edge. With Xzavier Dickson graduating and Denzel Devall taking a step back this season, Evans could see a major increase in playing time at outside linebacker. With his quick-twitch skillset and early playing time, who knows, he could even find himself in the starting lineup at Jack linebacker in 2015.
6. Shaun Hamilton will start at inside linebacker.
Surprised? While Reuben Foster would seem like the obvious choice to step in for Trey DePriest, given the head/neck issues that have plagued Foster to date, it's difficult to project the sophomore beyond the next practice. Also, Hamilton has the potential to stay on the field regardless of package. And that's important considering how much nickel and dime Alabama plays these days.
7. A true freshman safety will start in the secondary.
With both of Alabamaās safeties, Nick Perry and Landon Collins, moving on, the Crimson Tide will be tasked with replacing two starters in its defensive backfield. Freshman Laurence Jones saw the field some this season and could fill the spot at strong safety, but that leaves the free safety position. With two early enrollees, Deionte Thompson and Ronnie Harrison, coming in, do not be shocked to see one of them step into the starting lineup.
8. O.J. Howard will catch 30 passes.
Howard obviously has the most athletic ability of any of the tight ends on Alabamaās roster, but the rising junior only recorded 17 receptions, and zero touchdowns, in 2014. Now that Brian Vogler has graduated, Howard will be the No. 1 tight end option, in both the passing and running game. And with a new quarterback being ushered in, Howard could see more passes come his way as he returns as the teamās leading receiver.
9. UA will not finish the 2015-16 recruiting cycle with the No. 1 class.
Since finishing fifth nationally in the 247Sports team recruiting rankings in 2010, Alabama has reeled off four straight team recruiting championships and is in line for a fifth for 2015. The competition may be at a all-time high for the 2015-2016 cycle with the reemergence of traditional national recruiting powers Tennessee and Texas along with the SEC having as strong of a group of recruiters as it has enjoyed perhaps ever. The Tide will once again have a top five class but someone will dethrone them at the top.
10. The Alabama defense will post 40-plus sacks.
Even with outside linebacker Xzavier Dickson and his team-leading nine sacks removed from the equation, there's plenty of reason to think the Crimson Tide pass rush will improve on the 32 sacks it accrued this season. Other than Dickson, UA will welcome back the rest of its edge rushers, including young difference-makers Rashaan Evans and Tim Williams. Looking at defensive end, if Jarran Reed sticks around Alabama will have the services of its top five players at the position from 2014. And that's before you get to 2014 five-star recruit Da'Shawn Hand.
11. Alabama will field a pair of All-SEC corners.
OK, so maybe not two first-team corners, but Alabama will have two that are honorable mention or better. It starts with the return of Cyrus Jones, whose development in 2014 was a bright spot for the defense. He'll only get better between now and Wisconsin. As for the other side, between Eddie Jackson putting some time between himself and the knee injury he sustained last spring and young talents Tony Brown and Marlon Humphrey growing into their roles, the Crimson Tide won't be without ability at the spot. Save your concerns for safety, Bama fan, because corner will be a real strength.
12. Bo Scarbrough will be on the field somewhere.
Scarbrough, a former five-star recruit, could also take away some throws for Coker. Or increase them. The versatile athlete is already on campus and is learning the playbook and could find himself in a diverse role like Kenyan Drake in 2015. With Jalston Fowler using up his eligibility, Scarbrough could also fill a need at H-back and split out wide in the offense. Wherever he lines up, Scarbrough will likely be featured somewhere in the Crimson Tideās offense next season.
13. The Tide will land the top three in-state prospects for 2016.
The Alabama in-state class for 2016 is already loaded, and at the top are two of the top defenders in the country in linebackers Lyndell Wilson and Ben Davis. While there is not a slam-dunk #3 candidate yet, BOL believes the Tide stands in good enough shape with some of the top prospects that the Tide will pull of the trifecta and sweep the top three players in the state. One name to watch is cornerback John Broussard who was once thought to be an Auburn lean but the Tide has made some headway here.
14. Jonathan Allen will record 15-plus tackles for loss in 2015.
Allen continued to show improvement as a sophomore, jumping from three tackles for loss in 2013 to 11.5 in 2014. As he's made strides physically, Allen has become more and more difficult to keep off the field. Assuming that continues to take place during the upcoming offseason, he'll distance himself a little bit more from the "situational" tag that accompanied him in each of his first two season at the Captstone.
15. UA will sign a kicker in the 2015-2016 recruiting cycle.
Tide coach Nick Saban is not afraid to use scholarships on kickers as evidenced by all three of the Tide's primary specialists (kicker, punter and snapper) being scholarship players out of high school. Alabama will be in the market for a place-kicker if the right candidate becomes available. And on a crazy note, if punter JK Scott is NFL ready by the 2017 season, could the Tide be looking to replace the rare three-year collegiate punter?
What do you guys think?
1. Despite losing three starters, the offensive line will be improved.
Arie Kouandjio, Austin Shepherd and Leon Brown have used up their eligibility and will be leaving three giant holes along the Crimson Tideās offensive line. Ryan Kelly and Cameron Robinson will be back at center and left tackle, respectively. But with the talent and depth coming up, Alabama should be fine ā if not better ā on the O-line in 2015. Guys like Grant Hill, Bradley Bozeman and Dominick Jackson could possibly fill the available roles.
2. Jacob Coker wonāt pass for 3,200 yards.
Coker is the favorite to take over as Alabamaās starting quarterback, filling the void left under center by Blake Sims. And even though Coker possesses a live arm, he will not put up the 3,487 yards Sims did this past season. In fact, Coker probably will not throw for more than 3,200 yards. Part of that is because the Florida State transfer doesnāt have a dynamic receiver like Amari Cooper, and part of that is Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake will demand carries in Lane Kiffinās offense.
3. Derrick Henry will rush for 1,200 yards.
Another area where an expected early departure -- TJ Yeldon -- could leave a void to be filled. In 2014, Alabama nearly had two 1,000-yard rushers in Henry (990 yards) and Yeldon (979). Instead, the Crimson Tide finished a season without a 1,000-yard rusher for the first time since 2010. That won't be a problem in 2015 as 200-plus carries will result in a 1,200-yard season for the rising junior.
4. ArDarius Stewart will emerge as the Tide's top receiver.
After building momentum throughout the season, an ankle injury robbed the redshirt freshman of a strong finish. With Amari Cooper expected to head to the NFL and DeAndrew White out of eligibility, the opportunity will be there for Stewart to vault to the top of the rotation. Like Cooper, Stewart's versatility will make him difficult to account for, as he'll likely line up at a number of different spots in 2015.
Henry could post big numbers at running back in 2015.
5. Rashaan Evans will start at Jack linebacker.
Evans saw the field some in his freshman season and showed flashes as an explosive force off the edge. With Xzavier Dickson graduating and Denzel Devall taking a step back this season, Evans could see a major increase in playing time at outside linebacker. With his quick-twitch skillset and early playing time, who knows, he could even find himself in the starting lineup at Jack linebacker in 2015.
6. Shaun Hamilton will start at inside linebacker.
Surprised? While Reuben Foster would seem like the obvious choice to step in for Trey DePriest, given the head/neck issues that have plagued Foster to date, it's difficult to project the sophomore beyond the next practice. Also, Hamilton has the potential to stay on the field regardless of package. And that's important considering how much nickel and dime Alabama plays these days.
7. A true freshman safety will start in the secondary.
With both of Alabamaās safeties, Nick Perry and Landon Collins, moving on, the Crimson Tide will be tasked with replacing two starters in its defensive backfield. Freshman Laurence Jones saw the field some this season and could fill the spot at strong safety, but that leaves the free safety position. With two early enrollees, Deionte Thompson and Ronnie Harrison, coming in, do not be shocked to see one of them step into the starting lineup.
8. O.J. Howard will catch 30 passes.
Howard obviously has the most athletic ability of any of the tight ends on Alabamaās roster, but the rising junior only recorded 17 receptions, and zero touchdowns, in 2014. Now that Brian Vogler has graduated, Howard will be the No. 1 tight end option, in both the passing and running game. And with a new quarterback being ushered in, Howard could see more passes come his way as he returns as the teamās leading receiver.
9. UA will not finish the 2015-16 recruiting cycle with the No. 1 class.
Since finishing fifth nationally in the 247Sports team recruiting rankings in 2010, Alabama has reeled off four straight team recruiting championships and is in line for a fifth for 2015. The competition may be at a all-time high for the 2015-2016 cycle with the reemergence of traditional national recruiting powers Tennessee and Texas along with the SEC having as strong of a group of recruiters as it has enjoyed perhaps ever. The Tide will once again have a top five class but someone will dethrone them at the top.
10. The Alabama defense will post 40-plus sacks.
Even with outside linebacker Xzavier Dickson and his team-leading nine sacks removed from the equation, there's plenty of reason to think the Crimson Tide pass rush will improve on the 32 sacks it accrued this season. Other than Dickson, UA will welcome back the rest of its edge rushers, including young difference-makers Rashaan Evans and Tim Williams. Looking at defensive end, if Jarran Reed sticks around Alabama will have the services of its top five players at the position from 2014. And that's before you get to 2014 five-star recruit Da'Shawn Hand.
11. Alabama will field a pair of All-SEC corners.
OK, so maybe not two first-team corners, but Alabama will have two that are honorable mention or better. It starts with the return of Cyrus Jones, whose development in 2014 was a bright spot for the defense. He'll only get better between now and Wisconsin. As for the other side, between Eddie Jackson putting some time between himself and the knee injury he sustained last spring and young talents Tony Brown and Marlon Humphrey growing into their roles, the Crimson Tide won't be without ability at the spot. Save your concerns for safety, Bama fan, because corner will be a real strength.
12. Bo Scarbrough will be on the field somewhere.
Scarbrough, a former five-star recruit, could also take away some throws for Coker. Or increase them. The versatile athlete is already on campus and is learning the playbook and could find himself in a diverse role like Kenyan Drake in 2015. With Jalston Fowler using up his eligibility, Scarbrough could also fill a need at H-back and split out wide in the offense. Wherever he lines up, Scarbrough will likely be featured somewhere in the Crimson Tideās offense next season.
13. The Tide will land the top three in-state prospects for 2016.
The Alabama in-state class for 2016 is already loaded, and at the top are two of the top defenders in the country in linebackers Lyndell Wilson and Ben Davis. While there is not a slam-dunk #3 candidate yet, BOL believes the Tide stands in good enough shape with some of the top prospects that the Tide will pull of the trifecta and sweep the top three players in the state. One name to watch is cornerback John Broussard who was once thought to be an Auburn lean but the Tide has made some headway here.
14. Jonathan Allen will record 15-plus tackles for loss in 2015.
Allen continued to show improvement as a sophomore, jumping from three tackles for loss in 2013 to 11.5 in 2014. As he's made strides physically, Allen has become more and more difficult to keep off the field. Assuming that continues to take place during the upcoming offseason, he'll distance himself a little bit more from the "situational" tag that accompanied him in each of his first two season at the Captstone.
15. UA will sign a kicker in the 2015-2016 recruiting cycle.
Tide coach Nick Saban is not afraid to use scholarships on kickers as evidenced by all three of the Tide's primary specialists (kicker, punter and snapper) being scholarship players out of high school. Alabama will be in the market for a place-kicker if the right candidate becomes available. And on a crazy note, if punter JK Scott is NFL ready by the 2017 season, could the Tide be looking to replace the rare three-year collegiate punter?
