BAMANEWSBOT
Staff
The biggest addition to Alabama’s defense this offseason was potentially a coaching move.
With the addition of Mel Tucker as the Crimson Tide’s defensive backs coach, and the departures of Kevin Steele (LSU) and Lance Thompson (Auburn), defensive coordinator Kirby Smart moved over to help with the linebackers.
It’s a change that could be huge for Alabama’s linebackers, who will have the direct guidance of the man responsible for calling defensive plays this season.
Infusing a bit of life and energy into the unit this offseason, Smart is already having a positive effect on several of the players, according to senior middle linebacker Reggie Ragland.
“He’s very full of energy, and that’s what I need,” said Madison native Ragland.
“I’m going to know what he wants to run on third down and I’m going to know it before he knows it. It’s very good to have the defensive coordinator working with you.”
Like most positions, Alabama linebacking corps is loaded with a cavalcade of former four- and five-star prospects, including Ragland, Ryan Anderson and Dillon Lee in 2012, Reuben Foster and Tim Williams in 2013, and Shaun Dion Hamilton, Rashaan Evans and Christian Miller in 2014.
And with each expected to play major roles this season, and a defensive line that is expected to be among the conference’s most dominant, it could be open season on quarterbacks whenever Alabama is on the field defensively.
Departed (2014 stats): Trey DePriest, Sr., MLB — 88 tackles (4.5 for loss), 3 passes defended, 1 safety Xzavier Dickson, Sr., Jack — 42 tackles (team-high 12.5 for loss), team-high 9 sacks, 10 quarterback hurries
Spring flings: Ryan Anderson, Jr., OLB — 25 tackles (8 for loss), 3 sacks, 9 QB hurries; Gussie Busch, R-Fr., LB — n/a; Paden Crowder, Sr., MLB — n/a; Denzel Devall, Sr., OLB — Unlikely to practice this spring while out with a foot injury.
Rashaan Evans, Soph., OLB— 15 tackles (2 for loss), 1 sack, 3 QB hurries; Reuben Foster, Jr., OLB — 22 tackles (2 for loss), 1 sack; Shaun Dion Hamilton, Soph., OLB — 3 tackles; Keith Holcombe, R-Fr., OLB — n/a; Walker Jones, Soph., MLB — n/a; Dillon Lee, Sr., OLB — 24 tackles; Christian Miller, R-Fr., OLB — n/a; Jamey Mosley, R-Fr., OLB — n/a; Reggie Ragland, Sr., MLB — Second on the team with 95 tackles (10.5 for loss), 1.5 sacks, team-high 3 fumble recoveries; Tim Williams, Jr., OLB — 5 tackles (1.5 for loss), 1.5 sacks
Incoming: Adonis Thomas, 4-star OLB
Joshua McMillion, 4-star OLB
Keaton Anderson, 3-star OLB
Storylines: Which of the talented but yet unproven linebackers will step up in the absence of Denzel Devall? Can former high school teammates Reuben Foster and Rashaan Evans live up to their five-star hype? With Devall out all spring recovering from a foot surgery, Foster seems the most likely to slide in and provide Alabama a natural playmaker and heavy hitter in the second level of Smart’s defense. But with the potential for some shifting parts, and with Ragland the only player effectively locked in at the Mike linebacker, the position is ripe for a surprise or two this spring.
Outlook: While the defensive line is loaded with premium talent, Alabama’s linebackers could be its deepest position, with both the first and second teams providing starter-like potential.
So long as the position avoids any more injury problems, Devall’s absence could be a blessing in disguise as the Tide will have more opportunities to work underclassmen in with the first team and evaluate which once can rise to the challenge. Although Ragland seemingly slides over and takes over for DePriest in the middle, the Jack combo pass rusher should be an interesting battle.
Either way, Alabama’s linebackers should create an interesting competitive dynamic this spring, even with only a limited number of positions to fight for.
Decatur Daily—Continue reading...
With the addition of Mel Tucker as the Crimson Tide’s defensive backs coach, and the departures of Kevin Steele (LSU) and Lance Thompson (Auburn), defensive coordinator Kirby Smart moved over to help with the linebackers.
It’s a change that could be huge for Alabama’s linebackers, who will have the direct guidance of the man responsible for calling defensive plays this season.
Infusing a bit of life and energy into the unit this offseason, Smart is already having a positive effect on several of the players, according to senior middle linebacker Reggie Ragland.
“He’s very full of energy, and that’s what I need,” said Madison native Ragland.
“I’m going to know what he wants to run on third down and I’m going to know it before he knows it. It’s very good to have the defensive coordinator working with you.”
Like most positions, Alabama linebacking corps is loaded with a cavalcade of former four- and five-star prospects, including Ragland, Ryan Anderson and Dillon Lee in 2012, Reuben Foster and Tim Williams in 2013, and Shaun Dion Hamilton, Rashaan Evans and Christian Miller in 2014.
And with each expected to play major roles this season, and a defensive line that is expected to be among the conference’s most dominant, it could be open season on quarterbacks whenever Alabama is on the field defensively.
Departed (2014 stats): Trey DePriest, Sr., MLB — 88 tackles (4.5 for loss), 3 passes defended, 1 safety Xzavier Dickson, Sr., Jack — 42 tackles (team-high 12.5 for loss), team-high 9 sacks, 10 quarterback hurries
Spring flings: Ryan Anderson, Jr., OLB — 25 tackles (8 for loss), 3 sacks, 9 QB hurries; Gussie Busch, R-Fr., LB — n/a; Paden Crowder, Sr., MLB — n/a; Denzel Devall, Sr., OLB — Unlikely to practice this spring while out with a foot injury.
Rashaan Evans, Soph., OLB— 15 tackles (2 for loss), 1 sack, 3 QB hurries; Reuben Foster, Jr., OLB — 22 tackles (2 for loss), 1 sack; Shaun Dion Hamilton, Soph., OLB — 3 tackles; Keith Holcombe, R-Fr., OLB — n/a; Walker Jones, Soph., MLB — n/a; Dillon Lee, Sr., OLB — 24 tackles; Christian Miller, R-Fr., OLB — n/a; Jamey Mosley, R-Fr., OLB — n/a; Reggie Ragland, Sr., MLB — Second on the team with 95 tackles (10.5 for loss), 1.5 sacks, team-high 3 fumble recoveries; Tim Williams, Jr., OLB — 5 tackles (1.5 for loss), 1.5 sacks
Incoming: Adonis Thomas, 4-star OLB
Joshua McMillion, 4-star OLB
Keaton Anderson, 3-star OLB
Storylines: Which of the talented but yet unproven linebackers will step up in the absence of Denzel Devall? Can former high school teammates Reuben Foster and Rashaan Evans live up to their five-star hype? With Devall out all spring recovering from a foot surgery, Foster seems the most likely to slide in and provide Alabama a natural playmaker and heavy hitter in the second level of Smart’s defense. But with the potential for some shifting parts, and with Ragland the only player effectively locked in at the Mike linebacker, the position is ripe for a surprise or two this spring.
Outlook: While the defensive line is loaded with premium talent, Alabama’s linebackers could be its deepest position, with both the first and second teams providing starter-like potential.
So long as the position avoids any more injury problems, Devall’s absence could be a blessing in disguise as the Tide will have more opportunities to work underclassmen in with the first team and evaluate which once can rise to the challenge. Although Ragland seemingly slides over and takes over for DePriest in the middle, the Jack combo pass rusher should be an interesting battle.
Either way, Alabama’s linebackers should create an interesting competitive dynamic this spring, even with only a limited number of positions to fight for.
Decatur Daily—Continue reading...
