The most important thing to remember when viewing the depth chart is that it's game to game, and that we only get one depth chart for the season. Essentially we got the depth chart for the West Virginia game and nothing beyond that, so try and view it in that context.
Quarterbacks: No shocker here with both Blake Sims and Jake Coker listed as starters. Did you expect anything else? My big take away was Alec Morris being listed as the next signal caller up. Cooper Bateman and David Cornwell got the lion's share of attention behind Sims/Coker, but it's Morris that's next in line. There is something about Morris' game that I've always liked. He's got a good arm, but he's not mobile, which could be problematic as a young offensive line comes together.
Running backs: Again, nothing eye-opening here. I think it's become clear that they're beginning to use Kenyan Drake as a true third down back. One thing they love is his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.
Wide receivers: I'm a bit stunned to see Cam Sims on the third team listed as -Or- with Raheem Falkins. I'm mentioned several times since the spring that I like a lot about Sims' game. I'm not sure what's up with this one. Something to watch going forward.
Tight ends: Dakota Ball will see snaps as a blocking tight end just like Brandon Greene did a season ago.
Offensive line: I think it's clear that Saban and the coaching staff want Leon Brown to get fully healthy and up to speed so they can plug him in at right guard. Alphonse Taylor is the placeholder for now. With Dominick Jackson as the back-up left tackle to Cam Robinson, it's obvious the staff likes Jackson's athleticism. However, he's not done much in pass protection up to this point. I think he can be dominant in the run game, but I'm not as confident in his pass protection. If you've listened to Nick Saban during camp you've heard the name Ross Pierschbacher come up. That's a rare thing for a freshman on the offensive line. They think a lot of him, and he's a solid back-up at left guard. In the Insider Report before fall camp you'll recall what I said about Josh Casher, so him listed as the back-up center along with Bradley Bozeman isn't surprising either.
Full back: I like the idea of Jalston Fowler as a true blocking full back. He's also the biggest weapon in the red zone.
Defensive line: The only thing that surprised me was Da'Shawn Hand as the back-up to D.J. Pettway at defensive end along with Jarran Reed. You know how much I think of Pettway (I think he's going to a have a big season...the most underrated lineman on the team) and Reed. That Hand is listed before Reed is a bit surprising unless it's a discipline thing. We'll be watching to see if Reed makes the trip to Atlanta. Against up-tempo teams and in the nickel, A'Shawn Robinson will be the nose. In the base, it'll be Brandon Ivory.
Inside linebackers: With Trey DePriest having to play his way into shape, it's not surprising that Reuben Foster is listed as a co-starter at Mike. They both will play as DePriest gets back into playing shape. I also think Shaun Dion Hamilton could play a role there this season. Reggie Ragland has really improved and will split time at Will with Foster.
Outside linebackers: Denzel Devall experimented at Sam during the spring and is now listed there as a starter. I've mentioned how much improvement I think Xzavier Dickson has made, so that fits with him being the starter at Jack. In nickel defense look for Dillon Lee to shift inside. He's excellent in coverage and has great range.
Cornerbacks: I like the move to list Maurice Smith as the back-up at left corner to Bradley Sylve. Sylve is the lightest corner at 178 pounds. Smith is closer to 200 pounds and he's a lot more physical. No shock that Tony Brown is the back-up at right corner to Cyrus Jones. Eddie Jackson will figure in too. I'm on record as saying the corner play will be much improved this season for a variety of reasons, including experience and an increased pass rush.
Safeties: You know what you're going to get out of Nick Perry at free safety, so it makes sense to list him as the co-starter as Geno Smith continues to progress in the defense and heal from a sprained knee. I like Jarrick Williams a lot in the Star position. Landon Collins needs to stay healthy for the defense to have the kind of year it's capable of having.
Special teams: The coaching staff is quietly optimistic in the kicking game. The best thing that can happen for Adam Griffith is to drill a 37-yarder early in the game against West Virginia. Confidence is a kicker's best friend. Saban said it all about JK Scott. "Have you seen him punt?" I think that speaks volumes about how he's performed during camp. Christion Jones may be the best return specialist in the SEC. Cooper Bateman is the new holder.
As I said at the top, the depth chart will play out each week. But it's definitely interesting to look at the snap shot of how things stand entering the first game.
https://alabama.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=427&tid=203514760&mid=203514760&sid=885&style=2
Quarterbacks: No shocker here with both Blake Sims and Jake Coker listed as starters. Did you expect anything else? My big take away was Alec Morris being listed as the next signal caller up. Cooper Bateman and David Cornwell got the lion's share of attention behind Sims/Coker, but it's Morris that's next in line. There is something about Morris' game that I've always liked. He's got a good arm, but he's not mobile, which could be problematic as a young offensive line comes together.
Running backs: Again, nothing eye-opening here. I think it's become clear that they're beginning to use Kenyan Drake as a true third down back. One thing they love is his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.
Wide receivers: I'm a bit stunned to see Cam Sims on the third team listed as -Or- with Raheem Falkins. I'm mentioned several times since the spring that I like a lot about Sims' game. I'm not sure what's up with this one. Something to watch going forward.
Tight ends: Dakota Ball will see snaps as a blocking tight end just like Brandon Greene did a season ago.
Offensive line: I think it's clear that Saban and the coaching staff want Leon Brown to get fully healthy and up to speed so they can plug him in at right guard. Alphonse Taylor is the placeholder for now. With Dominick Jackson as the back-up left tackle to Cam Robinson, it's obvious the staff likes Jackson's athleticism. However, he's not done much in pass protection up to this point. I think he can be dominant in the run game, but I'm not as confident in his pass protection. If you've listened to Nick Saban during camp you've heard the name Ross Pierschbacher come up. That's a rare thing for a freshman on the offensive line. They think a lot of him, and he's a solid back-up at left guard. In the Insider Report before fall camp you'll recall what I said about Josh Casher, so him listed as the back-up center along with Bradley Bozeman isn't surprising either.
Full back: I like the idea of Jalston Fowler as a true blocking full back. He's also the biggest weapon in the red zone.
Defensive line: The only thing that surprised me was Da'Shawn Hand as the back-up to D.J. Pettway at defensive end along with Jarran Reed. You know how much I think of Pettway (I think he's going to a have a big season...the most underrated lineman on the team) and Reed. That Hand is listed before Reed is a bit surprising unless it's a discipline thing. We'll be watching to see if Reed makes the trip to Atlanta. Against up-tempo teams and in the nickel, A'Shawn Robinson will be the nose. In the base, it'll be Brandon Ivory.
Inside linebackers: With Trey DePriest having to play his way into shape, it's not surprising that Reuben Foster is listed as a co-starter at Mike. They both will play as DePriest gets back into playing shape. I also think Shaun Dion Hamilton could play a role there this season. Reggie Ragland has really improved and will split time at Will with Foster.
Outside linebackers: Denzel Devall experimented at Sam during the spring and is now listed there as a starter. I've mentioned how much improvement I think Xzavier Dickson has made, so that fits with him being the starter at Jack. In nickel defense look for Dillon Lee to shift inside. He's excellent in coverage and has great range.
Cornerbacks: I like the move to list Maurice Smith as the back-up at left corner to Bradley Sylve. Sylve is the lightest corner at 178 pounds. Smith is closer to 200 pounds and he's a lot more physical. No shock that Tony Brown is the back-up at right corner to Cyrus Jones. Eddie Jackson will figure in too. I'm on record as saying the corner play will be much improved this season for a variety of reasons, including experience and an increased pass rush.
Safeties: You know what you're going to get out of Nick Perry at free safety, so it makes sense to list him as the co-starter as Geno Smith continues to progress in the defense and heal from a sprained knee. I like Jarrick Williams a lot in the Star position. Landon Collins needs to stay healthy for the defense to have the kind of year it's capable of having.
Special teams: The coaching staff is quietly optimistic in the kicking game. The best thing that can happen for Adam Griffith is to drill a 37-yarder early in the game against West Virginia. Confidence is a kicker's best friend. Saban said it all about JK Scott. "Have you seen him punt?" I think that speaks volumes about how he's performed during camp. Christion Jones may be the best return specialist in the SEC. Cooper Bateman is the new holder.
As I said at the top, the depth chart will play out each week. But it's definitely interesting to look at the snap shot of how things stand entering the first game.
https://alabama.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=427&tid=203514760&mid=203514760&sid=885&style=2
