🏈 Position Breakdown: Ragland, linebackers loaded

[Bamabww]

Aaron Suttles
TideSports.com Senior Writer

Phil Steele lists this unit No. 1 in his rankings of position groups in his college football preview magazine. In the fifth installment in an eight-part series counting down to the beginning of fall camp for the University of Alabama football program, The Tuscaloosa News looks at the linebackers. It's a talented and deep unit, highlighted by one of the best linebackers in the country.

Denzel Devall should have an important role in Alabama's defense in his senior season.
Starters
Reggie Ragland is the bell cow, but he's not the only talented on the roster, just the most decorated. Ragland filled in well for C.J. Mosley at Will linebacker, finishing as a semifinalist for the Butkus Award in his first year as a starter. Reuben Foster is set to compete with Shaun Dion Hamilton for a starting job at the other middle linebacker spot. Ryan Anderson showed his skill at outside linebacker a season ago, rushing the passer with consistency while also playing the run well. Denzel Devall also returns for his senior season. Dillon Lee provides versatility with the ability to play on run or pass downs either when the defense is in base or in nickel or dime.
Reserves
As with the defensive line, the terms starter/reserve don't mean much with linebackers, especially with the talent available at outside linebacker. Junior Tim Wlliams could earn more playing time as could speedster Rashaan Evans. Christian Miller, 6-foot-4, 213 pounds, redshirted during his freshman season to improve his strength and conditioning. Keith Holcombe also redshirted, and with his size and speed adds versatility to the group. Walker Jones is a redshirt sophomore.
Overview
The linebacking corps is a unit that gives assistant coaches Kirby Smart and first-year outside linebackers coach Tosh Lupoi a lot of talent to work with. With a strong defensive line in front of him, Ragland has the potential to have a big season. Anderson really matured in his play in 2014 and could take the next step forward this year. Williams is a player that has the potential and just needs to continue in his growth. Evans has next-level speed on the outside, but has he grown in other areas on the defense?

- See more at: https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1788715#sthash.140qkE0E.dpuf

 

[riz]

Looking forward to finding out who the next stud is gonna be. Who will be the heir apparent.

 

[rammerjammer]

I really have big hopes for Rashaan Evans......#32 looks like the second coming of CJ Mosley.

 

[RC Crimson]

I am just glad DePriest is gone.

 

[Mr. Pink]

Definitely a strong group... hoping the younger guys get lots of PT because most of this group is gone after this year.

I was really impressed with the little bit in saw of Hand last year... kid understood his assignments and to stay in contain against those QB Option runs.

 

[BamaFan334]

DePriest would lay the wood. He threw his weight around pretty good.

Rashaan Evans is my guy. I'm hoping he'll get on the field more this year and kick some ass. His size and speed have me enamored with his potential and watching him on the field this Fall. Also because he spurned Auburn on Signing Day, where his parents went.

 

[Tidestalker]

Rueben Foster is the absolute wild card. SDH might be ready to contribute, but there just aren't guys out there with the physical ability that Rueben has. If he can stay on the field and learn enough of the D, he will be a difference maker.

I agree with 334, Evans is extremely intriguing. The guy I expect to make the biggest jump though is Tim Williams. Williams has more size than Evans and more explosiveness than Devall... Might be a perfect combo. Please let him stay out of trouble and get his ish together... He could be special.

 

[NickelDoubleDog]

Williams and Evans are an incredible rush duo off the edge.

Christian Miller may end up being the best pass rusher of all of them.

Is Hand a Jack LB? He seems so talented but has tons of competition. Or does he follow the Jon Allen route and slide inside to the DE/DT role?

 

[Tidestalker]

Williams and Evans are an incredible rush duo off the edge.

Christian Miller may end up being the best pass rusher of all of them.

Is Hand a Jack LB? He seems so talented but has tons of competition. Or does he follow the Jon Allen route and slide inside to the DE/DT role?

He is a full time DE. They have him listed at 273 lbs now. He's another guy that the staff sells on that Jack position in recruitment, but when they hit the weights and have their growth spurt its inevedible they play DE. Jon Allen was somewhat the same, except I believe he was actually told he could play MLB.

I really like D. Hand at D. End though. It allows us to get another pass rusher on the field. I think we've really missed explosive DL's who can make plays in the backfield and pass rush instead of just big strong mush rushers who can stop the run. A lineup with Hand, A'Shawn, Tim Williams, and Evans could be amazing.... And Pettway might be better than all of them. Although most pass rush conversation depends on whether or not they are "allowed" some freedom.

 

[bcracker]

@CrimsonBoz Speaking of Foster, has he learned to not lead with his head when tackling? The compression of his neck on the Fournette tackle was disturbing.

 

[Mr. Pink]

@CrimsonBoz Speaking of Foster, has he learned to not lead with his head when tackling? The compression of his neck on the Fournette tackle was disturbing.

He has done this on all his big hits, and if he hasn't gotten it now, I don't expect he will. It seems he will be destined for a highlight career, but missing too much time with injuries, specifically concussions. I got flamed for calling him a Jarrel Harris 2.0- a guy who comes in highly touted, but doesn't "get it" until the last season of his career. Hopefully he can do more, but I just don't see it.

Hand was at DE the handful of times I saw him last year, unless i missed some plays. I expect him to be a rusher off the edge.... if we don't beef him up to 320 and put him in the middle of course.

Evans has some great speed and looks to have the tackling down.. I expect him to live up the the #32 and play as well as CJ even if he only has a couple of years to do it.

 

[TerryP]

He has done this on all his big hits, and if he hasn't gotten it now, I don't expect he will.

A month, maybe a month and a half ago staff members said technique was something that they had been working hard this summer with Rueben.

It seems like Casagrande had a piece covering the same subject a week or.so later. I'll see if i can find that thread as soon as I get in..,

 

[CrimsonBoz]

@CrimsonBoz Speaking of Foster, has he learned to not lead with his head when tackling? The compression of his neck on the Fournette tackle was disturbing.

Yes and no. He has gotten much smarter as a defensive member. If you remember against WV he was completely lost and had poor tackling techniques. Now he gets the defense (finally ) and has cleaned up the tackling. On kick offs he runs full speed into his target he does not slow down at all. This is something you don't see alot. Most guys slow up to make a proper tackle or take an angle. Foster destroys everything in his path. This makes for nasty hits but could end him. I hope he slows it down just a tad to make the tackle without killing the other guy and himself.

 

[bcracker]

without killing the other guy and himself

Thanks, boz. That's what worries me; him breaking his neck.

 

[Bamabww]

Thanks, boz. That's what worries me; him breaking his neck.

Yeah me too @bcracker. I hope he's smart enough to learn the proper technique. If he can do that he'll go far with his ability and desire to play hard.