The 2010 Replacements for Alabama's Departing Football Players, Chapter 2

Brandon Deaderick may have started the season at this spot, but by the end of the year it was obvious his understudy was something to behold. How's this for a replacement?

This replacement, Marcel Dareus, a 6-3, 280-pound defensive end from Huffman, Ala., ended the season as the defensive player of the game in a national championship showdown.

Not a bad kind of guy to replace a starter, huh?

Dareus is simply a beast. He's a havoc-wreaking end for any quarterback and for a big man, his bursts of speed are impressive. This is a man who should continue Alabama's streak of putting quite a few All-Americans on the list.

He will be forevermore be remembered for intercepting a shuttle pass and returning it for a touchdown in the BCS Championship Game. He showed a lot agility and even a spin move he laughingly says he stole from Javier Arenas.

That score put the Tide up by so many points at the end of the first half that the ending of the game was clear at that point. Texas had little opportunity to do anything against this defense but throw the long ball on one on one situations.

Backing up Dareus will be Darrington Sentimore, a 6-3 280-pound redshirt freshman who has a lot of potential. Coaches are really high on his athletic ability and speed.

There is also a senior reserve Milton Talbert of Hattiesburg, Miss., is a 6-4 and 275 pounds that could back up either end. You could also throw junior Nick Gentry, 6-1 and 264 in as a third backup, although it's unclear where he may be used.

The defensive line may be losing three seniors and three starters, but it's certainly not doom and gloom in Tuscaloosa.

“We're losing three senior defensive linemen, and I really don't think we're dropping off too bad.” said departing senior offensive lineman Mike Johnson during media days just prior the the BCS Championship game, and I think we can take his word for that since he's had to try to block them.