Alabama Spring Game 2012: Highlights, Grades and Analysis

The defending national champions will be a major force in the SEC and nationally in 2012. The White and Crimson put on a exciting and impressive A Game, and it showcased a few stars.

The defense and offense had their moments, but in the end the newcomers on offense made the biggest impression. It speaks volumes to the future of Crimson Tide football.

Here is a closer look at the game:

Highlights:

T-Rich Speaks

We can't move too far ahead without taking one last look back. Trent Richardson was at the game and spoke about missing 'Bama, his choice to go to the NFL and a special prom date:

The Youngsters

I mentioned the newcomers really played well, and specifically Christion Jones, Chris Black and a monster named T.J. Yeldon made their mark.

Here are a few of their great plays:

Jones shows great hands reaching out away from his body to make the catch.

Yeldon delivered too many highlight plays to include in one piece. This kid is special.

His ability to accelerate, his underrated power and his hands as a receiver are exciting.

Take a look at this display:

The Signal Callers

Both AJ McCarron and Phil Sims played pretty well, not perfect—but decent. Here are their best plays, including some trickery:

Grades

Passing Offense: C

Both Tide QBs had their moments, but McCarron made a couple of questionable throws. He threw two TD passes, but he was also picked off three times.

Granted, a few of them came at the end when the flow of the game had changed up a bit—still, they are picks.

He did show some encouraging athleticism on scrambles, but the one thing that can derail this team is turnovers.

Sims was actually much better in taking care of the ball. Then again, he didn't take very many chances down the field.

I'm not a fan of playing two QBs, but if McCarron falters, Sims is better prepared this year than he was last season.

Rushing Offense: A

In a word, wow. This program seems to manufacture RBs and Big Uglies on the line to pave the way for them. Dee Hart shined as well as Yeldon, behind an impressive Alabama push.

Yeldon had 88 yards rushing and 91 receiving. He is a future star and a legitimate Heisman candidate in 2013.

The only thing that would keep him off the ballot this year is Eddie Lacy.

He didn't play because of turf toe, but the thought that the running game was this good without their top horse is amazing.

Pass Defense B

I was very impressed with Vinnie Sunseri's play. He recovered a fumble, returned it for a TD, and he picked off a pass. He showed better speed than I expected and looked like a capable leader on the defensive end. 

The corners were beaten a little often in coverage, but the defensive line did get good pressure throughout the game. Jeffrey Pagan had two sacks to lead either side in that category.

Run Defense C

This is a difficult category to evaluate because of how dynamic the Tide' backs are. There were moments where gaps were plugged and a even a few tackles for loss. Overall, the run offense certainly got the best of the defense.

Luckily for Bama, they won't likely face a rushing attack as good as their own all season.

Special Teams B

It's impossible to grade a return unit in a Spring game, but the much maligned Cade Foster nailed a 48 yard field goal. It was a great show of leg strength for him.

In the end, it proves nothing, as Foster's leg strength was never in question—his poise is what is in doubt. His success in a Spring game won't ease the concerns about his inability to perform in the clutch.