Alabama Football: Projecting Who Will Win Crimson Tide's Open Starting Positions

With a little less than half of its offensive and defensive starters set to return from a national championship squad, Alabama has some major questions ahead of it as the buildup to the 2016 college football season continues.

Before the Tide kick off against fellow historic powerhouse USC in September, they'll need to find answers at some familiar positions—starting with the all-important quarterback spot.

But replacing the likes of running back Derrick Henry, center Ryan Kelly, defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson and linebacker Reggie Ragland won't be easy, even for a program that lands the No. 1 recruiting class in college football year after year.

Some of Alabama's open spots on the depth chart, such as nose guard and outside linebacker, seem to already have clear-cut starting options. Others, especially the ones on offense, have tighter races as the Crimson Tide continue to work in the summer and into fall camp.

Let's take a look at 10 of Alabama's positions that will have new starters in 2016 and predict who will occupy the top spot on the depth chart when the Tide take on the Trojans in Texas. 

Quarterback

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Alabama QB Cooper Bateman

The biggest vacant position on the Alabama roster and the most wide-open position battle are the same. Alabama is in its third starting quarterback battle in three seasons, and the offense's 7-3 output at the annual A-Day scrimmage didn't offer much clarity at the position among Cooper Bateman, David Cornwell, Blake Barnett and Jalen Hurts.

The safest bet right now is Bateman. The junior has the most experience in the program, and he's the only one who saw the field last season for the Crimson Tide, even starting the game against Ole Miss. Bateman started with the first team at A-Day, but only went 9-of-24 passing for 86 yards and one interception.

While Bateman's spring game performance was underwhelming, it might have more to do with how stacked Alabama's first-team defense is this season. The younger Barnett and Hurts played better—although against reserves—in the public setting, have more athleticism and seem to garner more excitement from fans.

But Alabama has gone with the most experienced option in each of its last two quarterback battles, and it's resulted in a pair of SEC championships, two trips to the College Football Playoff and one national title. Unless Bateman falls apart in fall camp and one of the younger signal-callers lights it up, it's hard to pick against the junior.

Winner: Cooper Bateman

Running Back

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Alabama WR Bo Scarbrough

Alabama is going to be able to replace Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry with a virtual clone. At 6'2" and 230 pounds, Bo Scarbrough has the size, power and explosiveness to keep Alabama's rushing attack firing on all cylinders. According to Travis Reier of 247Sports, Scarbrough averaged 11.6 yards per touch in the first two scrimmages of spring ball.

"On an offense that is breaking in a new quarterback and has some questions up front, offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin will need a reliable running back to emerge to relieve some pressure," Bleacher Report's Barrett Sallee wrote. "Scarbrough should be that guy."

However, it was Damien Harris, not Scarbrough, who stole the show at A-Day. Harris was named the offensive MVP of the game after racking up 114 rushing yards on 20 carries with the second-teamers. Like Scarbrough, Harris is a former 5-star running back who has the look of a future star in the Crimson Tide offense.

Scarbrough will almost assuredly be the starting running back when the Crimson Tide kick off the season against USC. However, with the way Harris has come along, don't be surprised if he gets more than the normal Alabama No. 2 running back's share of the carries. 

Winner: Bo Scarbrough

Wide Receiver

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Alabama WR Gehrig Dieter

Alabama's top two receivers from 2015, Calvin Ridley and ArDarius Stewart, are both back for 2016. But with No. 3 target Richard Mullaney now gone, the Tide have a question mark at that third starter spot.

According to Travis Reier of 247Sports, Robert Foster was the one who took over that role at A-Day, even swapping spots on the field with Ridley and Stewart at times. Foster had a starting job early last year for Alabama before suffering a season-ending injury against Ole Miss. When completely healthy, Foster's versatility both inside and outside can allow for plenty of creativity from Kiffin.

But Foster's job isn't locked up just yet thanks to a midyear arrival from another transfer. Former Bowling Green wideout Gehrig Dieter is coming off a season with the pass-happy Falcons in which he caught 94 passes—the ninth-most in college football—for 1,033 yards and 10 touchdowns. (While he played in the weaker MAC, it's worth noting he put up 133 yards last year against Tennessee.) Dieter is identical to Mullaney in size at 6'3" and 208 pounds, and he should be a menace in red-zone situations this fall.

If Dieter can get off to a fast start at Alabama in practices, he could jump Foster in the starting lineup. The competition at wide receiver should be fierce this fall with Foster, Dieter and Cam Sims. Dieter is more of an established weapon that Mullaney was coming in from Oregon State, and his size and polish as an experienced receiver will be hard to keep off the field. 

Winner: Gehrig Dieter

Center and Guards

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Alabama OG Lester Cotton

Alabama had an offensive line shakeup this spring as it looked to replace a pair of starters in Ryan Kelly and Dominick Jackson. One position switch opened up a new spot at left guard, and the right guard position was the subject of a surprise battle as well.

Ross Pierschbacher, the returning starter at left guard, moved inside to center and jumped Kelly's projected replacement, J.C. Hassenauer. The move wasn't just an experiment to build additional competition, as Pierschbacher stayed at center all spring and seemed to lock down the starting job there.

With Pierschbacher at center, all eyes moved to left guard, where Tuscaloosa native Lester Cotton emerged as the favorite through camp. Fellow sophomore Dallas Warmack will continue to battle Cotton for the starting job, and the versatile Bradley Bozeman is also an option on the interior.

Right guard also opened up this spring as returning starter Alphonse Taylor was demoted to the second string. According to Marq Burnett of SEC Country, Saban said the 345-pound senior would reamin a reserve if "he doesn't get his weight down and get in shape." Redshirt freshman Brandon Kennedy took over the top job and will be Taylor's biggest competition in the fall.

This is the last chance for Taylor, who led the team in knockdown blocks last season. His experience would be a great boost on a transitioning offensive line, but only time will tell if Saban's motivational tactic will work over the summer. Expect a slimmer Taylor to get back on top this fall.

Winners: Lester Cotton (LG), Ross Pierschbacher (C) and Alphonse Taylor (RG)

Right Tackle

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Alabama OT Jonah Williams

Cam Robinson's absence from spring practices while recovering from shoulder surgery forced Alabama to look at different options at both tackle spots this spring. But if Robinson is available to play—he was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance, illegal possession of a firearm and felony possession of a stolen gun—he'll be locked in at left tackle.

That leaves the spot at right tackle vacated by the departed Dominick Jackson as the battle to watch on the outside. Senior Korren Kirven stepped in at left tackle in place of Robinson this spring while freshman Jonah Williams took control on the right. But in a lineup with Robinson at left tackle, who plays on the right? Kirven has seniority, but Williams has received rave reviews from his coaches in just a few short months.

"Jonah is a special young man," Alabama offensive tackles coach Mario Cristobal said, per Mark Inabinett of AL.com. "He's a guy that came in as an early enrollee and [is] really just committed, very driven. ... He put himself in the mix to compete for a starting job on our offensive line. He has exceeded expectations—maybe not his own."

In an ideal world for Alabama, Robinson resumes his work at left tackle and Williams takes over at right tackle for 2016. Although he's just a freshman, the former 5-star prospect has all the physical tools of an instant-impact player for the Crimson Tide.

Winner: Jonah Williams

Defensive End

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Alabama DE Da'Shawn Hand

With sack master Jonathan Allen returning to Alabama in 2016 and Da'Ron Payne solidifying himself as a starter at nose guard, all eyes on the Tide's stacked defensive line go to the second defensive end spot once held by Jarran Reed.

It's a battle between senior Dalvin Tomlinson and junior Da'Shawn Hand for the spot, and Alabama can't go wrong either way. Tomlinson brings plenty of experience and pass-swatting length to the position, although he had a quiet 2015 campaign in terms of tackles for loss. Hand only had 16 tackles, but 6.5 of them were for a loss and three were sacks.

"[Allen's] made a tremendous amount of progress," Saban said in the spring, per Ken Rogers of the Dothan Eagle. "He's gotten bigger and stronger. He can still run. He's still a good pass-rusher. We're trying to develop him as an inside rusher as well for third downs. We're extremely pleased with the progress that he made."

Hand's pass-rushing ability makes him an exciting playmaker to pair with Allen on the defensive line and the pick here to be the starter in 2016. Allen should command a lot of attention from opposing offensive linemen, giving Hand plenty of chances to burst into the backfield and make huge plays. Tomlinson will still play a major role, but Hand is too good to leave out of the starting lineup.

Winner: Da'Shawn Hand

Inside Linebacker

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Alabama LB Shaun Dion Hamilton

As Tim Williams and Ryan Anderson quickly snapped up first-team outside linebacker spots this spring, the spotlight moved to the middle of the defense. The Crimson Tide are looking for a full-time replacement for Reggie Ragland to line up next to Reuben Foster at inside linebacker, and it's a battle between a trio of intriguing options—Shaun Dion Hamilton, Rashaan Evans and Keith Holcombe.

Hamilton has some experience as a starter in Alabama's base defense, and he repped with the first team in spring practices earlier this year. He had the most tackles out of the three competing for the starting job with 27 and is the projected favorite at this point in the year.

However, Evans' move from outside linebacker to the inside is reason for pause. Evans stole the show at A-Day with 17 tackles—by far the most of anyone on the team—and he looked like an exciting option down the middle for the Alabama defense. He brings a pass-rushing threat on the inside and has the athleticism to excel in pass coverage with more experience at the position.

Holcombe's injury and time with the baseball team this past spring opened the door for Evans to get more snaps at the position, but don't count him completely out of the battle. While Hamilton should retain a job in the base defense, Evans could see the field just as much at inside linebacker this fall when Alabama gets into certain packages like the dime.

Winner: Shaun Dion Hamilton

Free Safety

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Alabama S Ronnie Harrison

Alabama was able to move a former starter in "Star" defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick to its vacancy at cornerback this spring. Free safety, however, was a different story, as the Crimson Tide needed to replace Geno Matias-Smith with a new starter.

By the end of spring practices, the leader was Ronnie Harrison, who wowed with his instincts and playmaking ability over the top of the defense. Playing as Alabama's sixth "Money" defensive back as a freshman last season, Harrison chipped in 17 tackles and interceptions in back-to-back games over UL-Monroe and Georgia. He also had a huge pass breakup against Clemson in the national title game.

"There's no doubt Harrison will play and not come off the field on defense," Charlie Potter of 247Sports wrote. "And if he lives up to the praise he received when he first arrived on campus, Harrison will be at least a top-10 player when the 2016-17 season is in the books."

Alabama still has other options at safety, including senior Maurice Smith, who can push Harrison for the starting job between now and kickoff. But Harrison seems to have this one locked up, and he'll have a great chance at being the next top pro prospect out of a stacked Alabama secondary.

Winner: Ronnie Harrison

Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports. All stats courtesy of cfbstats.com.

Justin Ferguson is a National College Football Analyst at Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @JFergusonBR.