Alabama Spring Game: Key Positional Battles and Players to Watch

The Alabama Crimson Tide are still riding a high from their national championship victory and would love nothing more than to repeat that feat.

While they have lost a number of key players, many projected to be first-round picks in the NFL draft, coach Nick Saban has recruited plenty of talent and the team is still one of the best in the country.

Fans will get their first look at the 2012 Crimson Tide team when take the field on Saturday, April 14 for the annual A-Day spring game. Here’s a look at a key positional battle and some players to keep an eye on.

Positional Battle: Running Back

With superstar Trent Richardson on his way to becoming an NFL star and backup Eddie Lacy sidelined with an injury this spring, the No. 1 RB job will be (temporarily) up for grabs between Dee Hart, T.J. Yeldon, Jalston Fowler and Blake Sims.

Hart—a redshirt freshman—and Yeldon—an early enrollee—have the most upside, while the junior Fowler has been doing great in practice.

Saban isn’t afraid to use any number of backs throughout the course of a season or even a game, so look for all of these young men to get plenty of touches and a chance to prove their worth on Saturday.

Players to Watch

A.J. McCarron

This kid won the QB battle last year against Phillip Sims and helped lead this team to a national title. The next step is for McCarron to show improvement and the ability to win games with his arm.

The Tide will not be able to lean as heavily on the ground attack as they have in years past, which means A.J. must shoulder a bigger load and be more of a leader.

Expect him to flash that ability on A-Day.

Nico Johnson

The senior is Alabama’s leading (returning) tackler from last season and performed admirably filling in for Dont’a Hightower during an injury.

He’s a 6’3”, 250-pound monster that can crush the run before it starts and put the hurt on ball carriers.

Look for him to become a player that leads the team in tackles this season.

Robert Lester

Lester would have likely been a first-round pick if he decided to make himself eligible, but the two-year starter will be looking to build on his body of work in his senior campaign.

He’s got the experience to anchor an Alabama secondary that looks to be extremely formidable once again in 2012.