The University of Alabama is set to start Spring Training beginning March 12, but wont resume practice until March 22. Alabama is the defending national champions from this past football season and all eyes will be focused on the this years team to see if they can defend the trophy and keep it in Tuscaloosa. The positions up for grabs this spring will be both cornerback spots, safety, left guard, right tackle, two linebacker spots, the whole defensive line, and tight-end position.
Most teams in the country would look at this and panic but with Alabama landing three straight top 3 classes according to most recruiting websites, it looks like they are just reloading at each position. Don't forget that head coach Nick Saban likes to rotate players in and out during the games than most coaches would like to and doesn't really believe in a depth chart, so most of the players filling in will already have game experience.
I would look out for players like Marcel Dareus and Nico Johnson to come out of spring as top players on the defensive side of the ball. Of course Marcel is most known for the biggest spin move made ever in a game on his way of scoring a touchdown in the National Championship game against Texas. Nico Johnson had to come in and play last year due to the injury to Donta Hightower and played well as a freshman could have played due to the situation.
But aside of all of that, what about the returning starters, how will they be able to contribute more to the team than they did last year. First you have to take a look at the runningback position with the reigning Heisman trophy winner Mark Ingram. What more can he do after beating Bobby Humphreys old record of rushing yards in a season, you would think not much but his leadership this year will be very important if he wants to hold the crystal ball again this year. Greg McElroy is coming back but what he lacks with his arm strength he makes up for in his mind, as he has become one of the smartest quarterbacks in the past 20 years wearing a crimson jersey. James Carpenter will be looked upon as the leader of the offensive line and should be the best upfront this year for Alabama. Donta Hightower will need to become what his best-friend Rolando McClain was the past three years for the defense, a leader and the best tackler on the team. Mark Barron will also need to grow up quick this year and use his year of experience to help out all the newcomers in the secondary.
Now whatever happens this spring in Tuscaloosa does not mean that come fall these will be the starters. Take last year for example with Robby Green coming out of spring ahead of Mark Barron for one of the safety spots, but as fall came around it was Mark Barron who was the starter and he ended up leading the team in interceptions with 7 last year. Without further a due here is what the depth chart should roughly look like coming out of spring training:
1st-String
Offense
QB- Greg McElroy
RB- Mark Ingram
TE- Michael Williams
TE- Brad Smelley
WR- Julio Jones
WR- Marquis Maze
LT- James Carpenter
LG- Barrett Jones
C- William Vlachos
RG- John Michael Boswell
RT- DJ Fluker
DE- Luther Davis
DT- Josh Chapman
DE- Marcel Dareus
ROLB- Jerrell Harris
MLB- Donta Hightower
MLB- Nico Johnson
LOLB- Courtney Upshaw
CB- Dre Kirkpatrick
SS- Mark Barron
FS- Phelon Jones
CB- Demarcus Milliner
2nd String
Offense
QB- A.J. McCarron
RB- Trent Richardson
WR- Michael Bowmen
WR- Kevin Norwood
TE- Undra Billingsley
TE- Preston Dial
LT- Tyler Love
LG- Chance Warmack
C- David Ross
RG- Brian Motley
RT- Alfred McCullough
Defense
DE- Milton Talbert
DT- Kerry Murphy
DE- Damion Square
ROLB- Chavis Williams
MLB- Chris Jordan
MLB- Tana Patrick
LOLB- Ed Stinson
CB- John Fulton
SS- Rod Woodson
FS- Robby Green
CB- B.J. Scott
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