May 13, 2015
Cecil Hurt
TideSports.com Columnist
As the middle act on a whirlwind three-stop media production for Nick Saban - an SEC teleconference on Tuesday morning, a Crimson Caravan stop in Atlanta on Tuesday night and the Regions Classic Pro-AM this morning - the Crimson Tide information was stretched a bit thin for the middle of May. But good news concerning freshmen is always welcome, this year in particular.
Saban said in Atlanta that all of the Crimson Tide signees who did not participate in spring practice were expected to make it to campus this summer without any eligibility delays.
"We don't have any issues right now," Saban said. "We feel like everyone's done what they need to do. Now, guys need to finish this semester, and every time you feel good, it seems like there is a hiccup in the (NCAA) Clearinghouse. But we don't know of any issues right now."
What elevates that statement above the reaction of a shrug and a muttered "that's nice" is the level of talent coming aboard. There are some positions where true freshmen rarely, if ever, can help right away. Yes, there are exceptions. Cam Robinson, one of the nation's best offensive linemen in 2014, leaps immediately to mind. But quarterbacks and offensive linemen tend to take more time to mature. Wide receivers, running backs and defensive backs can usually make a quicker impact.
Coming out of the spring, it appeared that there would be opportunity at all those spots. The need isn't desperate - but depth matters. At running back, a best-case scenario would have Kenyan Drake and Bo Scarborough both back on the rotation after their injuries. Even with those two, and Derrick Henry, there would still be a need for depth. That means Damien Harris out of Berea, Ky., will be closely watched.
The wide receivers actually looked solid at A-Day, but modern offenses cannot have enough. The most unfair thing that the media can do to any freshman as "the next" followed by the name of some superstar. There is no way that Calvin Ridley should be saddled with the "next Amari Cooper" label. There will be no "next Amari Cooper," a unique talent in Crimson Tide history. But like Harris, Ridley - rated the No. 1 high school receiver last season by several recruiting services - will be closely scrutinized. The same thing is true at cornerback, where both Minkah Fitzpatrick and Kendall Sheffield appear to have the physical capabilities. (Mental toughness, another requirement for the position, can't be measured on any high school highlight film.)
Saban didn't name any specific players, of course, and won't be pleased that anyone is singled out before the first fall practice.
On the other hand, the fact that UA has five-star talent coming in at positions of need, isn't just a random stroke of luck in the universe. Alabama recruiting is meticulously planned.
Even the hints and whispers about a quick-fix quarterback transfer don't mean that recruiting has been bad at that position. It's just that teams are always looking to upgrade. Alabama is riding in that boat - at least Saban said that there is no definite starter yet - but there is a crowd riding along. The Everett Golson sweepstakes now seems to involve half the South.
Experience matters, but so does talent, which is why the discussion of freshmen in important. That's why Saban's small tidbit of news was significant.
https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1765780
Cecil Hurt
TideSports.com Columnist
As the middle act on a whirlwind three-stop media production for Nick Saban - an SEC teleconference on Tuesday morning, a Crimson Caravan stop in Atlanta on Tuesday night and the Regions Classic Pro-AM this morning - the Crimson Tide information was stretched a bit thin for the middle of May. But good news concerning freshmen is always welcome, this year in particular.
Saban said in Atlanta that all of the Crimson Tide signees who did not participate in spring practice were expected to make it to campus this summer without any eligibility delays.
"We don't have any issues right now," Saban said. "We feel like everyone's done what they need to do. Now, guys need to finish this semester, and every time you feel good, it seems like there is a hiccup in the (NCAA) Clearinghouse. But we don't know of any issues right now."
What elevates that statement above the reaction of a shrug and a muttered "that's nice" is the level of talent coming aboard. There are some positions where true freshmen rarely, if ever, can help right away. Yes, there are exceptions. Cam Robinson, one of the nation's best offensive linemen in 2014, leaps immediately to mind. But quarterbacks and offensive linemen tend to take more time to mature. Wide receivers, running backs and defensive backs can usually make a quicker impact.
Coming out of the spring, it appeared that there would be opportunity at all those spots. The need isn't desperate - but depth matters. At running back, a best-case scenario would have Kenyan Drake and Bo Scarborough both back on the rotation after their injuries. Even with those two, and Derrick Henry, there would still be a need for depth. That means Damien Harris out of Berea, Ky., will be closely watched.
The wide receivers actually looked solid at A-Day, but modern offenses cannot have enough. The most unfair thing that the media can do to any freshman as "the next" followed by the name of some superstar. There is no way that Calvin Ridley should be saddled with the "next Amari Cooper" label. There will be no "next Amari Cooper," a unique talent in Crimson Tide history. But like Harris, Ridley - rated the No. 1 high school receiver last season by several recruiting services - will be closely scrutinized. The same thing is true at cornerback, where both Minkah Fitzpatrick and Kendall Sheffield appear to have the physical capabilities. (Mental toughness, another requirement for the position, can't be measured on any high school highlight film.)
Saban didn't name any specific players, of course, and won't be pleased that anyone is singled out before the first fall practice.
On the other hand, the fact that UA has five-star talent coming in at positions of need, isn't just a random stroke of luck in the universe. Alabama recruiting is meticulously planned.
Even the hints and whispers about a quick-fix quarterback transfer don't mean that recruiting has been bad at that position. It's just that teams are always looking to upgrade. Alabama is riding in that boat - at least Saban said that there is no definite starter yet - but there is a crowd riding along. The Everett Golson sweepstakes now seems to involve half the South.
Experience matters, but so does talent, which is why the discussion of freshmen in important. That's why Saban's small tidbit of news was significant.
https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1765780
