BamaInsider.com - Five summer arrivals who could contribute early at Alabama
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. ā The majority of Alabamaās 2018 class trickled into Tuscaloosa over Memorial Day weekend as the Crimson Tideās newest freshmen prepare to join the rest of the team for summer workouts.
After receiving only five early enrollees in December and January, Alabama will finally get an up-close look at some of its highly-touted signees. Here are five players to watch moving forward.
Patrick Surtain Jr.
Nick Saban made it clear his team was in need of depth in the secondary following A-Day. The head coach listed six defensive backsā Trevon Diggs, Xavier McKinney, Deionte Thompson, Saivion Smith, Shyeim Carter and Jared Mayden ā who he felt confident in, stating each improved over the spring.
āPast that, we need to make a significant improvement in the players that we have and the guys that weāre bringing in,ā Saban said.
Enter five-star freshman Patrick Surtain Jr. The 6-foot-2, 183-pound cornerback will still have to prove himself this summer but comes to Tuscaloosa as perhaps the most anticipated player in Alabamaās class.
Surtain, the son of three-time NFL Pro-Bowler Patrick Surtain, already has the height and size Saban desires at the cornerback position. He was rated as the top cornerback in the nation and the No. 8 overall player in the 2018 class.
Alabama will have to replace essentially all of its dime unit in the secondary as the Crimson Tide lost six key defensive backs to graduation and the NFL. Thompson started two games at strong safety during the College Football Playoff, while Diggs started the season-opener. Other than that, Alabamaās secondary will be full of new faces. It might take some time for Surtain to totally grasp Sabanās scheme, but donāt be surprised if he gets an opportunity early in the season.
Jaylen Waddle
During National Signing Day in February, Saban compared the receiver position to a basketball team with players contributing various skillsets while playing in different roles. This weekend Alabama might have finally welcomed its point guard.
Jaylen Waddle brings another element to an already-loaded receiving corps as he appears perfectly suited for the slot position. The five-star recruit stands in at just 5-foot-10, 175-pounds but offers a quickness and change of direction that make him the ideal possession receiver in what should be an improved passing attack for Alabama this year.
On top of his ability to make plays on offense,
Waddle told BamaInsider earlier this year that Alabama coaches have told him he will get an opportunity to compete for both kick return and punt return duties this season.
Eyabi Anoma
The highest-rated player in Alabamaās 2018 class, Eyabi Anoma will add another freak athlete to the Crimson Tideās pass rush. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound defender was rated as the No. 1 weak-side defensive end in the nation but will make the switch to Jack linebacker at Alabama, similar to Terrell Lewis.
During his senior season last year, Anoma tallied 98 tackles with 22 sacks and four forced fumbles. Alabama is hoping he will add the same spark to a pass-rush that fell off last season after leading the nation in sacks in 2015 and 2016.
Alabama finished No. 13 in the nation with 40 sacks last season, down from 54 in 2016 and 52 in 2015. Much of that was due to the Crimson Tide losing its two best pass-rushers in Lewis and Christian Miller as the pair of linebackers missed most of the season after suffering major injuries in the season-opener.
Miller and Lewis return this season, as does starting Jack linebacker Anfernee Jennings. Sophomore Chris Allen also showed plenty of promise this spring, capping off a dominant camp with two sacks on A-Day. Despite the talent in front of him, itās hard to imagine Anoma not finding his way onto the field this season.
Eddie Smith
Donāt let the three-star rating fool you, Alabama views cornerback Eddie Smith as an elite addition to its secondary. While the Louisiana native hasnāt received the same hype as Surtain, he shares his five-star teammateās size and athleticism. The 6-foot, 180-pounder could make the same early impact as well.
Already known as a hard-hitter, Smith comes into Tuscaloosa with a chip on his shoulder as he has previously stated he feels āunderratedā by recruiting analysts. Given where Alabama stands in the secondary, he should be given the opportunity to prove those doubters wrong with a strong showing this offseason.
Like Surtain, Smith will take some time to learn Alabamaās playbook. While he might encounter some early growing pains, he is a dark horse to receive early playing time if he can put things together quickly.
Christian Barmore
With starting nose tackle DaāRon Payne and backup Joshua Frazier both leaving for the NFL, Christian Barmore was a must-get player in this yearās signing class. Now that Alabama has the 6-foot-5, 290-pound defensive tackle on campus, the next step is grooming him for potential early playing time.
Quinnen Williamsā successful switch from defensive end to defensive tackle this spring helped to alleviate some of the panic surrounding Alabamaās defensive line. However, the Crimson Tide still lack depth at the position. Barmore will compete for a backup spot along with redshirt freshman Phidarian Mathis, early enrollee Stephon Wynn, JUCO transfer Tevita Musika and redshirt senior Johnny Dwight. Of that bunch, Dwight is the only one with any experience, appearing in just six games last season.
Barmore has ground to make up on his fellow defensive linemen as he makes the adjustment to the college level on the fly. That being said, he still has plenty of time to make an impression between now and Alabamaās season-opener against Louisville on Sept. 1.