2009 Alabama Seniors: A Class to be Remembered

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I started this article nine weeks ago, a few days before Senior Day, the UT-Chattanooga game. I stopped because I couldn’t help thinking two things: first, what if we mess up big and lose a few games, and secondly, and more importantly, what if we go all the way and bring home No. 13?

I wont be doing them credit. Not nearly. Long story short, I’m glad I waited. The 2009 Alabama senior class won't go down as the winningest class in Alabama history. Nor will they have the most SEC or National Championships.

They aren't all going to go on to great professional careers. Most weren't the heralded, sought after, five star recruits. But if one thing is true, their time at the University of Alabama will forever be, one of the most important.

The Specialists

Can anyone say improvement?

Leigh Tiffin: He certainly came a long way. As a freshman, he was forced into action when former kicker Jaime Christensen was injured. Though this may sound odd for a kicker, but expectations were high. He had to walk in his father's, Van Tiffin's, footsteps. I think we all can remember the Arkansas game his freshman year, but each season he continued to improve, eventually becoming Alabama's all-time leading scorer.

He has been clutch in the last two years and has definitely won some games. He also owns records for most points in a season and most field goals made in one season at 'Bama.

P.J. Fitzgerald: If you thought Tiffin had improved throughout his career, meet P.J. He has been the starting punter in every game since his freshman year. That's 50 games, with four more to go. And once again, he has improved every season, from averages of 38.2 per punt to 38.7, from 38.7 to 41.14, and now in his senior season, he is currently averaging 42 yards a punt. He has done a lot for the team, whether it be changing his number for John Parker Wilson and Lorenzo Washington or running a trick play up the middle on a fake field goal. Nobody likes to see the punter come out on to the field, but at least it was P.J.

Roy Upchurch and Mike McCoy

These two guys never quite panned out to what we thought they were going to be, but that doesn't mean they didn't have an impact.

Roy Upchurch: Injuries. He's got great vision, better moves, and the patience of monk. But none of that matters if you're hurt. His redshirt freshman year ankle surgery ended his season. In his second season, he played the full season, but as a backup to Terry Grant and Glenn Coffee. The 2008 season proved to be his best, yet he was still third string, this time to Coffee and Mark Ingram.

In mid-season, he had back spasms, making him miss four games, with only two plays against Auburn, but he made up for that this year. The season came down to one final drive against Auburn, he made a catch that will go down in ‘Bama lore. His contributions on offense and special teams will be missed.

Mike McCoy: In his first season as a true freshman, he played five snaps, and recorded zero catches. If I remember correctly, he had one ball thrown to him that year. In his next two seasons, he started nine games, and quickly became a go to receiver. He has been over shadowed by other standout wide outs in Julio Jones and Marquis Maze, but when Julio couldn't play against Florida International this year, McCoy stepped up and had the first 100 yard performance of his career.

The Big Uglies: Offense

You want senior leadership, look no further. We got it here on the O-Line.

Drew Davis: The true success story. He came in with the class or 2004,and redshirted. He played in two games during his first two years, to come out of nowhere to finally solidify a right tackle spot that seemed be in turmoil for what seemed to be at least three or four decades. He helped lead Alabama's offense that relied heavily on the run. For the first time in recent memory, Alabama has five offensive linemen instead of four.

He moved to every position on the line, except for center. He went from a player without a position to a player who might have been the best guard in college football this season. He was a leader on the offensive line and the offense. He will go on to a very successful pro career, and he has earned every penny he will make.

The Big Uglies: Defense

This group of guys took the inside run out of football games. They were 'Bama's Steel Curtain.

Lorenzo Washington: He started as nose guard for the '07 Tide defense and was second of all D-Lineman in tackles. He took a step back and learned a new position, while still playing backup to some nameless behemoth.

With the departure of Bobby Greenwood, Washington stepped in to the starting role in 2009, and helped lead a defense that was second nationally against the run, and one that only allowed 11.7 points per game.

Brandon Deaderick: I doubt that even Superman Tim Tebow would be back on the field two days after a gunshot wound. He played in some games as a freshman, and got seven starts as a sophomore.

In 2008, he became a full-time starter at defensive end and helped lead a defense that was fourth in the nation against the run. This season did not start well for him however, as he was shot the Monday before the first game against Virginia Tech.

Brandon Deaderick exemplifies perseverance.

Terrence Cody: Finally, we come to the big man.

As a late addition to the ’09 senior class, he came from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College with three years to play two. And what a couple of years. He continued to lose weight since his arrival on campus and constantly required double and triple teams. An All-American in both years at the Capstone, I think one stat pretty much says it all: not one single rusher had a 100-yard game against Alabama since his arrival on campus.

The Linebackers: Eryk Anders and Cory Reamer

One started out as a 195 lbs. defensive tackle, the other as a free safety. Both became very solid starting linebackers.

Eryk Anders: As a very undersized DT in high school, Anders has transitioned into a great pass rusher from the Jack position, which since Saban's arrival, hasn't been the most productive of positions.

His first two years, he served primarily as a special teams player. Last year he was used as a situational pass rusher, primarily on third downs. He finished that year with 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. It took the departure of Brandon Fanney for Anders to get the starting job, and it makes me wonder why he wasn't playing the whole time. This season, he had 64 tackles, six sacks, and an interception for flavor.

In the absence of Dont'a Hightower, he helped provide the much needed pass rush. His final game for 'Bama may have been his best.

Cory Reamer: Starting out as physical free safety, Reamer locked down the starting Sam job in '08 and finished with great numbers,even when he came off the field when the Tide went to the nickel and dime packages.

This was the most impressive season. When his team needed him to step his game up, he did. While Anders handles Hightower’s pass rushing responsibilities, Reamer has filled in for him very nicely in pass defense.

He continuously increased his physicality against the run as the season progressed, delivering hard hits which caused Gary Danielson to double the number 13. He's not the physical specimen as some of the other linebackers, but his work ethic and knowledge of the game more than make up for it.

The DBs: The Terrifying Triumvirate

Combine these three guys with the two underclassmen, and who are you gonna throw against?

Justin Woodall: You know this guy must love Alabama, because before his freshman year, he was drafted in the MLB draft and had the opportunity to be very wealthy before he turned 19. Instead, he honored his commitment to Alabama, and has become one of the best safeties in the SEC. He's a big safety, a hard hitter, but he's also a solid coverage safety.

Physically imposing and gifted with a large amount of football knowledge, he might have made a good investment by sticking with the Tide, because he will be playing on Sundays.

Marquis Johnson: Well, he proved almost everyone wrong, and it started against South Carolina and continued throughout the season. Three straight fade passes against him to South Carolina's star freshman receiver, three incomplete passes.

He might just be the most improved player on ‘Bama's '09 team, and he has become a 12th starter on the defense.

Javier Arenas: He stops the run, he sacks, and picks off quarterbacks; he plays zone, he plays man, and he returns kicks. If CJ Spiller is versatile, they'll just have to come up with a new word for Javy.

Before the season, you'd see the "Who's better, Javy or Palmer" posts on 'Bama message boards around the internet. Is there really any question now? I think you should start asking about how he ranks among the all-time great DBs at Alabanm.

The Other Seniors

Colin Peek: I cannot remember a tight end that consistent. His impact this year was huge for as a team, and his ability to be the safety blanket for the first year starter at QB made the adjustment for exponentially easier.

Ali Sharrief: He has come up with some big plays in his time. And I also hear he has a right hook up there with the best of them.