March 5, 2015
Aaron Suttles
TideSports.com Senior Writer
Now only eight days from the start of spring practice, I continue the examination and ranking of Alabama's biggest development needs coming into the spring. It can be argued, and rightfully so, that Alabama's biggest loss on defense came with the departure of strong safety Landon Collins. There's a reason he's projected as a first round pick. But another big loss is at linebacker where the Crimson Tide lost its signal caller in middle linebacker Trey DePriest and leading sack man, Sam linebacker/defensive end Xzavier Dickson.
Reggie Ragland returns after a breakout season. Can he lead the group in 2015?
Dickson had a sterling senior season in 2014, leading the team in sacks (9) and quarterback pressures (10). Quite simply, Dickson was the best and most consistent edge rusher. DePriest had an up and down season. He played a bit heavy and fought through nagging injuries. Alabama made a concerted effort to get more athletic at linebacker the past two recruiting cycles in an attempt to combat the hurry-up, no-huddle spread offenses that are populating college football. Here are the linebackers that look to get better this spring.
Reggie Ragland: The 6-foot-2, 254-pound senior had a breakout season and actually flirted with the NFL Draft before deciding to stay in school. He'll take over calling the defense this season and he'll be challenged to lead with a new Mike linebacker beside him. He was second on the team in tackles in 2014 with 95, including 10.5 for loss. Ragland is more athletic than some give him credit for and it showed with his interception against Texas A&M last season.
Denzel Devall: The 6-2, 254-pound senior is a two-year starter at Jack linebacker. He missed six games in 2014 due to injury. He had a quiet season, registering only 11 tackles after combining for 48 tackles and five sacks his first two seasons. With Alabama looking to get more pressure off the edge, look for a position battle to ensue for the starting Jack linebacker spot.
Dillon Lee: The 6-4, 243-pound senior has had flashes during his career, but he's never put it together to become a consistent performer at linebacker for Alabama (although he's a solid special teams contributor). Lee is athletic enough to play outside in the 3-4 defense and inside in nickel or dime. He played in all 14 games and recorded 24 tackles in 2014.
Ryan Anderson: The 6-2, 258-pound junior had a breakout season in 2014. By my estimation he was the second-best outside linebacker last year behind only Xzavier Dickson. He has a knack for getting to the quarterback, evidenced by his nine quarterback hurries (second on the team) and three sacks. He also had eight tackles for loss.
Reuben Foster: The 6-1, 244-pound junior is a big hit machine. But he's also an injury waiting to happen due to his tackling technique, which Alabama coach Nick Saban admitted was something the coaches were working on with him. Foster has a ton of potential, but that potential means little if he can't stay on the field. He'll be one of the main candidates to replace Trey DePriest at Mike linebacker. He made 22 tackles and one sack in 2014.
Tim Williams: The 6-3, 242-pound junior played in 12 games in 2014 as a back-up outside linebacker. He has a ton of athletic ability and his frame is tailor-made for rushing the passer. He's been subject to Saban's doghouse for various discipline issues, but never anything serious. He recorded five tackles and 1.5 sacks last season.
Shaun Dion Hamilton: The 6-foot, 233-pound sophomore is a true technician at middle linebacker. He possesses great footwork and uses his hands well. He's undersized but that technical skill allows him to overcome it. He is another major competitor for the vacant Mike linebacker position. He played in all 14 games (mainly on special teams) in 2014 and made three tackles.
Rashaan Evans: The 6-3, 225-pound sophomore is pure speed. Once his technique comes around (he thrived in high school on pure ability), he will be a handful for any offensive lineman. He is the prime example of the outside linebacker Alabama is now recruiting. He played in 13 games and recorded 15 tackles and one sack in 2014.
Walker Jones: The 6-2, 238-pound sophomore played in one game in 2014. He has good size and is a hard worker. Jones of course is the brother of former All-American lineman Barrett Jones.
Christian Miller: The 6-4, 215-pounder redshirted his freshman season. He needs to add weight, but has the speed and build to develop into a consistent outside linebacker in time.
Keith Holcombe: The 6-3, 225-pounder redshirted his freshman season. He has a similar build to former Alabama All-American linebacker C.J. Mosley. Holcombe's has good speed and is a tackling machine. He is one to watch in the future at middle linebacker.
RANKING THE DEVELOPMENT NEEDS
No. 1 Quarterbacks
No. 2 Safeties
No. 3 Wide receivers
No. 4 Linebackers
- See more at: https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1743442#sthash.D8HwwTST.dpuf
Aaron Suttles
TideSports.com Senior Writer
Now only eight days from the start of spring practice, I continue the examination and ranking of Alabama's biggest development needs coming into the spring. It can be argued, and rightfully so, that Alabama's biggest loss on defense came with the departure of strong safety Landon Collins. There's a reason he's projected as a first round pick. But another big loss is at linebacker where the Crimson Tide lost its signal caller in middle linebacker Trey DePriest and leading sack man, Sam linebacker/defensive end Xzavier Dickson.
Reggie Ragland returns after a breakout season. Can he lead the group in 2015?
Dickson had a sterling senior season in 2014, leading the team in sacks (9) and quarterback pressures (10). Quite simply, Dickson was the best and most consistent edge rusher. DePriest had an up and down season. He played a bit heavy and fought through nagging injuries. Alabama made a concerted effort to get more athletic at linebacker the past two recruiting cycles in an attempt to combat the hurry-up, no-huddle spread offenses that are populating college football. Here are the linebackers that look to get better this spring.
Reggie Ragland: The 6-foot-2, 254-pound senior had a breakout season and actually flirted with the NFL Draft before deciding to stay in school. He'll take over calling the defense this season and he'll be challenged to lead with a new Mike linebacker beside him. He was second on the team in tackles in 2014 with 95, including 10.5 for loss. Ragland is more athletic than some give him credit for and it showed with his interception against Texas A&M last season.
Denzel Devall: The 6-2, 254-pound senior is a two-year starter at Jack linebacker. He missed six games in 2014 due to injury. He had a quiet season, registering only 11 tackles after combining for 48 tackles and five sacks his first two seasons. With Alabama looking to get more pressure off the edge, look for a position battle to ensue for the starting Jack linebacker spot.
Dillon Lee: The 6-4, 243-pound senior has had flashes during his career, but he's never put it together to become a consistent performer at linebacker for Alabama (although he's a solid special teams contributor). Lee is athletic enough to play outside in the 3-4 defense and inside in nickel or dime. He played in all 14 games and recorded 24 tackles in 2014.
Ryan Anderson: The 6-2, 258-pound junior had a breakout season in 2014. By my estimation he was the second-best outside linebacker last year behind only Xzavier Dickson. He has a knack for getting to the quarterback, evidenced by his nine quarterback hurries (second on the team) and three sacks. He also had eight tackles for loss.
Reuben Foster: The 6-1, 244-pound junior is a big hit machine. But he's also an injury waiting to happen due to his tackling technique, which Alabama coach Nick Saban admitted was something the coaches were working on with him. Foster has a ton of potential, but that potential means little if he can't stay on the field. He'll be one of the main candidates to replace Trey DePriest at Mike linebacker. He made 22 tackles and one sack in 2014.
Tim Williams: The 6-3, 242-pound junior played in 12 games in 2014 as a back-up outside linebacker. He has a ton of athletic ability and his frame is tailor-made for rushing the passer. He's been subject to Saban's doghouse for various discipline issues, but never anything serious. He recorded five tackles and 1.5 sacks last season.
Shaun Dion Hamilton: The 6-foot, 233-pound sophomore is a true technician at middle linebacker. He possesses great footwork and uses his hands well. He's undersized but that technical skill allows him to overcome it. He is another major competitor for the vacant Mike linebacker position. He played in all 14 games (mainly on special teams) in 2014 and made three tackles.
Rashaan Evans: The 6-3, 225-pound sophomore is pure speed. Once his technique comes around (he thrived in high school on pure ability), he will be a handful for any offensive lineman. He is the prime example of the outside linebacker Alabama is now recruiting. He played in 13 games and recorded 15 tackles and one sack in 2014.
Walker Jones: The 6-2, 238-pound sophomore played in one game in 2014. He has good size and is a hard worker. Jones of course is the brother of former All-American lineman Barrett Jones.
Christian Miller: The 6-4, 215-pounder redshirted his freshman season. He needs to add weight, but has the speed and build to develop into a consistent outside linebacker in time.
Keith Holcombe: The 6-3, 225-pounder redshirted his freshman season. He has a similar build to former Alabama All-American linebacker C.J. Mosley. Holcombe's has good speed and is a tackling machine. He is one to watch in the future at middle linebacker.
RANKING THE DEVELOPMENT NEEDS
No. 1 Quarterbacks
No. 2 Safeties
No. 3 Wide receivers
No. 4 Linebackers
- See more at: https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1743442#sthash.D8HwwTST.dpuf
