Alabama Football: 2014 Freshmen Set for Breakout 2015 Seasons

Each new year of recruiting brings new excitement for fans, especially for those following a team like Alabama, which consistently pulls in No. 1 classes featuring some of the top players in the country.

Very few of those players come in and light the world on fire right away, becoming instant stars in the process. Instead, most take a few years to, you know, develop into proper college football players.

The problem, though, is that by the time these players have developed into legitimate talent, fans have moved on to the next batch of superstar, hotshot recruits, who may or may not pan out. So these players can sometimes get lost in the shuffle and get underappreciated compared to a kid who’s never set foot on a college campus yet.

Alabama’s 2014 class produced some of that former group. Punter JK Scott and left tackle Cam Robinson stepped right in and were named to the Football Writers Association of America’s All-Freshman team.

Before Nick Saban and Alabama sign another No. 1 class for the 2015 cycle, let’s take a look at some members of that 2014 class, freshmen last year, who could have their breakout years this year, after a season of development.

Rashaan Evans

Alabama will need at least one more edge-rusher in 2015. Xzavier Dickson, who led Alabama with nine sacks, graduated, leaving Denzel Devall and Ryan Anderson as the outside linebackers with the most experience on the team.

USA TODAY Sports

But Saban and the Crimson Tide use a rotation at that position, and Evans could be the guy to fill a spot there.

A former 5-star from Auburn with one of the more highly publicized recruitments of 2014, Evans showed promise during the season, appearing in all but one game. He registered a sack and was a regular on kickoff coverage.

"I didn't really dream that I was going to even have a chance to get on the field at all,” Evans told AL.com’s Drew Champlin at Sugar Bowl media day. “I was thinking more realistically about kickoffs or stuff like that but as the season got on, I got a chance to get on the field and do a little bit. Ever since then I've been doing my best to try to get back on it."

Now with more opportunity in front of him, he should get some extended playing time, at least in passing situations, and be able to further show off that ability and be a productive member of Alabama’s pass rush.

Cam Sims

Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

With all three starting wide receiver spots up for grabs, there will be ample opportunity for Alabama’s next group of young but talented wide receivers.

Sims seems like a good candidate to fill one of those roles.

As a true freshman, Sims appeared in all but two games and didn’t just get garbage-time snaps. Of Alabama’s returning wide receivers, he ranked third with 62 catches, including a touchdown, on the year.

His 6’4”, 208-pound frame makes him a physical presence in run blocking, a role in which he excelled this season. As D.C. Reeves of the Tuscaloosa News points out, Sims was frequently on the field, even if he wasn’t catching passes.

"

#Alabama's leading returning WR in snap count: Chris Black 255, Cam Sims 142, ArDarius Stewart 104. For comaprison, Amari had 816 by himself

— D.C. Reeves (@_DCReeves) January 15, 2015"

His kind of attention to detail in run blocking can pay dividends in terms of playing time and should be a formula for Sims to get a much bigger role in 2015.

Shaun Dion Hamilton

There will be an open middle linebacker spot next to Reggie Ragland this season, and Hamilton has positioned himself well to take hold of it.

Hamilton impressed coaches and teammates enough after he enrolled in January to earn a role on the 2014 team, appearing in all 14 games this season. He mostly played on special teams but saw some defensive snaps in garbage time or filling in for injuries, notching three tackles in the process.

USA TODAY Sports

"I just wanted to be able to play on special teams and find me a role where I could help the team,” Hamilton told the Montgomery Advertiser’s Paul Payne at Sugar Bowl media days. “It's been everything that I hoped for. It's been a great experience. I just wanted to be able to come in here and contribute, to do my role to help us become a better team.”

He should see increased defensive snaps next season.

Hamilton and Reuben Foster will be the key candidates for the second middle linebacker position next year. Foster has proved to be a physical specimen, but his playing style lends itself to frequent injury, from which Foster has suffered during his career.

If Foster can’t stay healthy, or even if he can, the door will be open for Hamilton.

Dominick Jackson

Jackson was expected to play a big role on the offensive line in 2014. He was a 4-star prospect out of junior college and looked poised to fill Alabama’s need at right guard.

Photo courtesy 247Sports

Instead, an injury in fall camp set him back, and he was relegated largely to backup duty, though he did play fullback in Alabama’s goal-line jumbo package a few times.

Now, with three starters to replace on the offensive line, Jackson’s window appears to have opened for his senior season.

He played right tackle at College of San Mateo in San Mateo, California. But his physicality and size could translate into a role at right guard, too. With returning tackle Grant Hill, who has backed up Austin Shepherd at right tackle in the past, guard could be a landing spot for Jackson, with both spots up for grabs.

It’s now or never for Alabama’s highly touted JUCO transfer.

Laurence “Hootie” Jones

Alabama’s secondary will see a lot of new faces this season. Hootie Jones should be one of them.

USA TODAY Sports

Jones enrolled in January and, like Hamilton and Evans, found a home playing special teams while chipping in occasionally. Jones appeared in seven games, making two tackles.

But with the departure of Alabama’s top three safeties, Jones should be a top candidate to play more defense in some capacity.

At 6’2” 221 pounds, he’s more geared to play strong safety, closer to the line of scrimmage. He has looked every bit the part in practice, showing why he was a 4-star prospect out of high school.

He also could be a candidate for “Star,” the fifth defensive back who typically plays closer to the line of scrimmage.

Marc Torrence is the Alabama lead writer for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.

Follow on Twitter @marctorrence.