Breaking down BAMA's roster

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BOL has been doing this for the past couple of weeks. They have taken 3 players per day and told a little about them. I thought I would post some of it here for you guys to read. Maybe I won't get caught. Enjoy...

 

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Hart, White, Patrick

Hart looks to have recovered from a knee injury that sidelined him in 2011.

Breaking down the 2012 Crimson Tide roster three players at a time. Leading off this year's series: Dee Hart, DeAndrew White and Tana Patrick.

1 RB Dee Hart (rFr.)
2011 season: Sat out the season after sustaining a torn ACL during summer workouts.
2012 spring practice: With starter Eddie Lacy sidelined by a toe injury, Hart joined Jalston Fowler and T.J. Yeldon in forming UA's top three options at running back during spring drills. Rushed for 76 yards on 18 carries in scrimmage work.
What he brings to the table: Showed pre-injury burst of speed on A-Day, picking up a scrimmage-long 23 yards on one of his five carries. While Yeldon stole the show in the spring's final scrimmage, it's worth noting that Hart was being talked about in similar terms as Yeldon just 12 months ago.

2 WR DeAndrew White (rSo.)
2011 season: Played in 12 games a season ago, catching 14 passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns. Made starts against Kent State and Mississippi State.
2012 spring practice: Worked behind Kenny Bell at the X receiver spot. Caught seven passes for 113 yards and two touchdowns in scrimmage work. Sustained a concussion during an altercation shortly after the completion of spring drills but should be ready to go when fall camp gets underway.
What he brings to the table: Showed flashes of vertical play-making ability in 2011. As is the case with the rest of the rotation the question is, can White produce on a consistent basis? Specifically, he needs to continue to make strength gains, which will help him combat man coverage -- and finish plays once he beats it.

2 ILB Tana Patrick (rJr.)
2011 season: Saw action in 10 games, recording seven total tackles as a reserve inside linebacker.
2012 spring practice: Worked behind Trey DePriest at weakside linebacker. Crimson team's second-leading tackler in the A-Day game, posting seven total stops.
What he brings to the table: Entering his fourth year in the program, Patrick is a veteran performer who understands the defense and is solid against the run. Unfortunately for the Bridgeport native, he's the fourth inside linebacker in a three-man rotation.

 

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Sunseri, Yeldon, Black

3 S Vinnie Sunseri (So.)
2011 season: Played in all 13 games as a true freshman, posting 31 tackles while working mostly on special teams. Saw meaningful snaps at safety late in the season after Will Lowery went down with a knee injury. A five-time special teams player of the week selection by the UA coaching staff, Sunseri was named Freshman All-SEC a season ago.
2012 spring practice: Moved into the starting lineup at safety and also worked at star and money in the Crimson Tide's nickel and dime defensive packages. Recorded 14 tackles, three tackles for loss, two interceptions and a fumble recovery in three spring scrimmages. Recipient of the Bart Starr Most Improved Player Award.
What he brings to the table: Sunseri is a tweener. That's right, between playing safety, money and perhaps even star, he may not come off the field in 2012. Sunseri makes plays and he's not going to give up plays as a result of busted assignments. What more could you want from a defensive back?

4 RB T.J. Yeldon (Fr.)
2011 season: Ranked as the nation's top running back recruit by 247sports.com, Yeldon rushed for 2,193 yards and 31 touchdowns as a senior at Daphne High School. Racked up 1,502 receiving yards during his high school career.
2012 spring practice: One of eight midyear enrollees, Yeldon received the Dixie Howell Memorial Most Valuable Player Award after rushing for 88 yards and catching five passes totaling 91 yards in the annual A-Day Game.
What he brings to the table: Take one look at Yeldon and it's obvious that he has all the physical tools needed to carry on UA's tradition of great backs. Most encouraging, though, was the toughness and pass catching ability the true freshman showed during spring drills. Those attributes don't always come standard with young backs. With Yeldon competing with Jalston Fowler and Dee Hart competing for carries behind Eddie Lacy, it will be interesting to see how the running back rotation takes shape as we move through the fall.

5 WR Chris Black (Fr.)
2011 season: In helping Jacksonville-First Coast to Florida's Class 7A state title game, Black caught 55 passes for 881 yards and 12 touchdowns. Ranked as the nation's No. 4 wide receiver prospect by 247sports.com, he also rushed for 222 yards on 22 carries.
2012 spring practice: Another midyear enrollee, Black quickly established himself as a factor in the rotation while working behind Christion Jones in the slot. In the spring's final two scrimmages, Black caught five passes for 97 yards and a touchdown.
What he brings to the table: Was actually more impressed by Black in the spring than when I saw him in a high school playoff game in December. Responded well to the large step up in competition and looks to be in the top six in the rotation heading into fall camp. Reps behind Jones may be hard to come by, but Black looks to be farther along at this point in his development than most of the receivers UA has signed in the Nick Saban era. Also in the mix as a return man.

 

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Clinton-Dix, Sims, Anderson

6 S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (So.)
2011 season: Played in all 13 games, recording 11 tackles while working mostly on special teams. One of seven true freshmen to see the field in 2011, Clinton-Dix also provided depth at safety.
2012 spring practice: Exited spring drills as the third safety, which, with Vinnie Sunseri a candidate to fill nickel and dime roles, essentially gives Clinton-Dix "starter" status. Posted three solo tackles, a tackle for loss, forced a fumble and returned an interception 30 yards in the A-Day game. Had four tackles and an interception in the spring's second scrimmage. One of five players to receive the Ozzie Newsome Most Improved Freshman Award at the close of spring drills.
What he brings to the table: Safety size with corner-like ball skills. Gives UA the flexibility to play Sunseri at money and/or star in the extra defensive back packages and not lose anything at safety.

6 RB Blake Sims (So.)
2011 season: Rushed for 107 yards on 22 carries while seeing action in five games.
2012 spring practice: After sustaining a hip injury while playing basketball on spring break, Sims could only watch as Jalston Fowler, Dee Hart and T.J. Yeldon divvied up carries at running back in scrimmage work. On a positive note (for Sims, at least), Phillip Sims' decision to transfer could bring another Sims back into the picture at quarterback.
What he brings to the table: While he's a versatile athlete who is capable of providing depth at multiple positions, it remains to be seen if Sims will be featured at either running back or quarterback on a situational basis. The Wildcat would seem to be a logical package for Sims, although it wasn't used as much in 2011 as it was the previous two seasons.

7 LB Ryan Anderson (Fr.)
2011 season: A five-star prospect by 247sports.com, Anderson recorded 105 tackles and 12 sacks as a senior at Daphne High School.
2012 spring practice: Midyear enrollee who jumped directly into the mix at the vacant jack linebacker spot.
What he brings to the table: Anderson possesses the physical attributes needed to play early. However, there's a learning curve involving technique that even the most talented of newcomers must endure before they can perform at a high level. Still, other than Adrian Hubbard not much was settled at outside linebacker in the spring, so the opportunity for playing time will still be there for Anderson and others in August.

 

[BadMotoWeazal]

Thanks!!!

 

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Thanks!!!

No problem, my man. I will post 3 or 4 per day til I have em all on here.

 

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Bell, Pagan, Dixon

7 WR Kenny Bell (So.)
2011 season: Played in all 13 games, making four starts. Bell is the Crimson Tide's leading returning receiver after catching 17 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns.
2012 spring practice: Stepped into a starting role at the X receiver spot. Caught eight passes for 154 yards and three touchdowns in scrimmage work.
What he brings to the table: Blessed with excellent speed, the redshirt junior can take the top off a defense, something the Alabama offense will likely look to do with greater frequency in 2012. He's also showing signs of being able to finish plays, something he's struggled with at times during his UA career.

8 DE Jeoffrey Pagan (So.)
2011 season: As the lone UA true freshman defensive lineman to see the field a season ago, Pagan played in six games, posting four assisted tackles.
2012 spring practice: The top backup to Damion Square at left end, Pagan was one of five players to receive the Ozzie Newsome Most Improved Freshman Award.
What he brings to the table: Signs of physical improvement following initial run through Fourth Quarter program were evident in the spring, as Pagan took on a more streamlined and athletic look. Given that he'll be 21 months removed from an ACL injury once fall camp opens in August, Pagan is on the verge of maximizing his vast potential. For now, he'll provide support to one of the deepest defensive end units in college football.

9 CB Travell Dixon (Jr.)
2011 season: A first-team NJCAA all-american at Eastern Arizona Community College, Dixon recorded 39 tackles with four interceptions, four pass breakups and one fumble recovery. Ranked the No. 9 overall JUCO prospect in the nation by 247sports.com.
2012 spring practice: Worked behind starter Dee Milliner at left corner and also saw time at the star position in the nickel and dime packages. Recorded six tackles and a pass breakup in the A-Day game.
What he brings to the table: Dixon has the physical tools needed to excel in the secondary. However, fellow JUCO transfer Deion Belue seemed to reach a comfort level with SEC pace of play a tad quicker than Dixon. That's where summer workouts will prove extremely helpful to Dixon, who will head into fall camp as the fourth corner behind Milliner, John Fulton and Belue.

 

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McCarron, Fulton, Ely

10 QB A.J. McCarron (Jr.)
2011 season: Started all 13 games, passing for 2,634 yards and 16 touchdowns while completing 66.8 percent of his attempts. BCS Championship Game offensive most valuable player after completing 23 of 34 passes for 234 yards in 21-0 win over LSU.
2012 spring practice: In three scrimmages, McCarron completed 68 of 114 passes for 754 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was intercepted four times. Mal Moore Leadership Award recipient at the close of spring drills.
What he brings to the table: Not that he has ever suffered from self-esteem issues but with 12 wins and a national title under his belt as the starter, McCarron heads into his second year on the job armed with the kind of confidence that comes from knowing he's the man. With McCarron comfortable in his starter skin, look for more explosive plays from the passing game in 2012. The question is, will they come at the expense of efficiency?

10 CB John Fulton (Jr.)
2011 season: Fulton lettered for the second time as a true sophomore, posting five total tackles as a backup cornerback and contributor on kickoff coverage.
2012 spring practice: One of four players to receive the Jerry Duncan "I like to practice" Award, Fulton stepped in for DeQuan Menzie as the starter at right corner. Competition with Deion Belue and others will extend into fall camp. Notched four solo tackles in the A-Day game.
What he brings to the table: Like his classmate and fellow corner, Dee Milliner, Fulton has spent the past two years getting acclimated with a defensive system that is anything but simplistic. And it's that experience that gives him a slight edge over his competitors at this point. That said, the battle for the second and third corner spots isn't over.

12 QB Phillip Ely (rFr.)
2011 season: Worked with the scout team while redshirting as a true freshman.
2012 spring practice: Completed 10 of 18 passes for 83 yards in the A-Day game. With the transfer of Phillip Sims to Virginia, Ely will head into fall camp as the favorite to backup McCarron.
What he brings to the table: Ely has made solid improvement in his first 18 months in the program, especially from a physical standpoint. While not blessed with NFL-like arm strength, he's capable of directing a balanced offense on a short-term basis. Whether he's the answer over the long haul is something Nick Saban doesn't want to begin to learn for at least another year.

 

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Belue, Sylve, Atchison

13 CB Deion Belue (Jr.)
2011 season: Belue picked up second-team NJCAA All-America honors after recording 24 tackles, including two for loss, a sack and an interception at Northeast Mississippi Community College. Ranked by 247sports.com as the nation's No. 7 junior college prospect, Belue enrolled at UA in January.
2012 spring practice: Enjoyed a fairly smooth transition to the SEC level, establishing himself as one of UA's top three corners by the end of spring drills. Worked at both left corner and star. In his first scrimmage as a member of the Crimson Tide, Belue returned an interception 93 yards for a touchdown. Posted three solo tackles and two pass breakups in the A-Day game.
What he brings to the table: Based on his performance in the spring, Belue's development at corner wasn't stymied by his stint at NEMCC. Played a good bit of zone in junior college so picking up the basics of UA's coverages wasn't much of a struggle for the former Deshler standout. Has good instincts, which will help the speedy Belue play even faster. Playing time in 2012 will be tied to his competition with John Fulton at corner and how safety Vinnie Sunseri, who also plays star in the nickel and dime packages, is used.

16 CB Bradley Sylve (rFr.)
2011 season: Scout team member while redshirting as a freshman.
2012 spring practice: Joined junior college transfer Travell Dixon in working with second-team defense, with Sylve providing support to Fulton at right corner. Recorded a pass breakup in the A-Day game.
What he brings to the table: In terms of pure speed, the current collection of corners at Alabama rank at the top of the list in the Nick Saban era at Alabama. Put Sylve with Belue, Dee Milliner and either Fulton or Jabriel Washington and you'd have a strong 4x100 team. For Sylve it's a matter of getting stronger and taking reps. While a spot among the top three corners is probably at least a year away, he and Dixon are legitimately in the mix for 2012.

19 OLB Jonathan Atchison (Jr.)
2011 season: Played in two games (Kent State and North Texas) before undergoing season-ending surgery for a biceps injury.
2012 spring practice: One of several candidates for the outside position opposite Adrian Hubbard, Atchison got the nod at strongside linebacker on A-Day. Recorded three total tackles in the spring game.
What he brings to the table: Due in part to injuries, Atchison has only played in six games the past two seasons. Still, he's been around long enough to know what it takes to compete at the elite level and if his position has taught us anything it's that it's never too late for a guy (Chavis Williams, Alex Watkins and Jerrell Harris) to make a strong contribution to the defense. Besides, it's not like one of the more heralded young players took the job by the throat in the spring.

 

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Williams, Calloway, Jones

20 S Jarrick Williams (Jr.)
2011 season: Played in seven games, mostly on special teams. Recorded five total tackles.
2012 spring practice: Saw time behind Robert Lester with the second team defense. Racked up six tackles and forced a fumble for the winning Crimson Team in the A-Day game.
What he brings to the table: Provides prototype safety size and above average athleticism to a position that currently has plenty of both. In addition to safety, has also taken reps at the money position in the dime package. Core four special teams (all return and coverage units) candidate.

21 HB Brent Calloway (rFr.)
2011 season: Worked on the scout team at running back while redshirting.
2012 spring practice: Spent the early stages of spring drills at outside linebacker before moving to H-back, his third different position in less than a year. Worked with the second team offense in the A-Day game, catching two passes for 18 yards. One of five players to receive the Ozzie Newsome Most Improved Freshman Award at the close of drills.
What he brings to the table: With Brad Smelley moving on to the NFL, Calloway provides a play-making dimension to the H-back position. The former running back is big enough to handle the blocking aspect of the job and athletic enough to win match ups against linebackers.

22 WR Christion Jones (So.)
2011 season: The lone true freshman to see time at wide receiver, Jones caught three passes for 49 yards. Returned three punts for 33 yards, including a long of 15 yards against LSU in the BCS national championship game, and returned one kickoff (also in the rematch with LSU) for 32 yards.
2012 spring practice: Established himself as the top option from the slot, catching 15 passes for 192 yards and five touchdowns in three scrimmages. Ozzie Newsome Most Improved Freshman Award recipient at the close of drills.
What he brings to the table: For a guy who initially looked to be more of a return specialist, Jones showed signs of being much more in the spring. On his touchdown catch in the A-Day game, Jones displayed three attributes every receiver coach looks for in a player: separation, closing speed and excellent hands. On track to take his spot among an impressive run of explosive UA return men.

 

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Washington, Lee, Perry

23 CB Jabriel Washington (rFr.)
2011 season: Scout team member while redshirting.
2012 spring practice: Worked with the 2s at left corner. Likely sixth in line at a spot loaded with talent. Recorded one solo tackle in the A-Day game.
What he brings to the table: Much like Bradley Sylve, Washington looked to have added some much-needed bulk in his first offseason with the Crimson Tide. Solid upside, just needs time to continue to add strength. Injection of junior college talent in the spring means there won't be a rush placed on Washington's development.

25 LB Dillon Lee (Fr.)
2011 season: Rated the No. 12 outside linebacker in the nation by 247sports.com, Lee led Buford to a fifth consecutive state title game appearance as a senior. A two-way performer, the four-star prospect also saw time at tight end.
2012 spring practice: One of eight midyear enrollees, Lee worked at both outside and inside linebacker before settling at strongside linebacker. Started at strongside linebacker for the Crimson (second-team) defense in the A-Day game. Posted two tackles in spring's third and final scrimmage.
What he brings to the table: Body type and athleticism to play any of the four linebacker spots. With one of the two outside linebacker spots still up for grabs, don't count Lee out for playing time as a freshman. At 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, the newcomer is a promising Core Four special teams candidate.

27 S Nick Perry (Jr.)
2011 season: Played in nine games as a reserve safety and special teams contributor. Posted two tackles as a sophomore.
2012 spring practice: Worked with the second-team defense at safety. Recorded two assisted tackles
What he brings to the table: Similar to classmate Jarrick Williams in that Perry hasn't redshirted but he hasn't played much, either. Of course, depth at safety was more of an issue in 2010 than it is in 2012, as UA has signed Vinnie Sunseri, HaHa Clinton-Dix and Landon Collins in its last two classes. Still, players like Perry, who are familiar with the system and understand day-to-day expectations, have value.

 

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Milliner, Mandell, Johnson

28 CB Dee Milliner (Jr.)
2011 season: Played in all 13 games, making six starts. Led the team in interceptions (three) and passes defended (12).
2012 spring practice: Starter at left corner and also worked at the star position in the nickel and dime packages. Bobby Johns Defensive Back Award recipient.
What he brings to the table: Milliner has played in every game he's dressed for at Alabama. After learning some hard lessons as a true freshman in 2010, he responded with an excellent season as the third corner a year ago. As physically gifted as either of UA's first-round corners -- Kareem Jackson and Dre Kirkpatrick -- in the Nick Saban era.

29 P Cody Mandell (Jr.)
2011 season: Punted 39 times for a 39.3 yard average, with a net of 36.5.
2012 spring practice: Averaged 42 yards or more in each of the three scrimmages. For his efforts, Mandell was one of four players to receive the Bart Starr Most Improved Player Award at the close of spring drills.
What he brings to the table: Leg strength has never been an issue for Mandell. Consistency, on the other hand, has been somewhat slow in coming. Based on his performance in the spring, it appears as if Mandell has cleaned up some of the technical miscues that plagued him in his first two seasons on the job. After pinning the White team at its own 1 yard line, the junior deserved an assist on C.J. Mosley's safety in the spring game. If he's able to carry over his performance from A-Day to the fall, a talented defense will be even more difficult to handle.

31 TE/ST Kelly Johnson (Sr.)
2011 season: Played in nine games as a special teamer, making five tackles, including two solo stops against Georgia Southern. Selected as a special teams player of the week for his play in the GSU game.
2012 spring practice: In seeing action as a reserve tight end, Johnson caught one pass for two yards in the A-Day game.
What he brings to the table: At 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, Johnson can contribute across the board on special teams. And like some of the walk-ons before him, he's not afraid to throw his body around on kickoff coverage.