College Football 2012 Top 150 Players: No. 104, Damion Square, Alabama DE

Every day here at Your Best 11, we are counting down to the start of the regular season with our Top 150 players for the 2012 season.

No. 104: Damian Square, No. 92, Alabama, Defensive End

Strengths:

In the 3-4 scheme, rising senior Damian Square is the ideal body. Much like Brandon Deaderick before him, the prototype Square is playing at his best when he is freeing up other bodies to make plays. He can control a double team of both a tackle and a guard and is capable of forcing the issue to give his Jack linebacker a chance to make the big play.

At 6'3" and 285 pounds, Square has long enough arms to gain separation from offensive linemen and is nimble enough to slide with the play and make his impact. While everyone gives the big nose tackle Jesse Williams the spotlight, Square is as good at his job as any of the most recent Alabama defensive linemen.

Weaknesses:

It is not so much of a weakness as it is just a fact of the matter concerning the scheme; Square is never going to be a stat hog. Even the uber-talented Marcell Dareus was not burning it up in sacks and tackles for loss. With this 3-4 scheme, as perfectly suited as Square is, the senior will not see much in the way of production increases. The great thing about Nick Saban and his plan, Square and those playing his position care more about doing their job than stats.

2012 Predictions:

Just like most players who see the field for Nick Saban, Square is going to do everything that is asked of him by the three-time national championship winning coach. Expect the senior to hit the double-digit mark in tackles for loss; losing Courtney Upshaw will mean a bit more production is needed out of the ends.

As for accolades, Square is going to be on the outside looking in. There are so many talented defensive linemen in the SEC, and while teammates like Jesse Williams might get recognized with lower production, Square is fighting an uphill battle. Make no mistake about it though, Square is going to be one of the better defensive ends in the nation, perfectly equipped to play his role for the Crimson Tide.