Alabama Football: Predicting the Depth Chart Heading into Fall Camp

The Alabama Crimson Tide is coming off their second national championship in three seasons. And with SEC media day all over, it is just a matter of weeks before fall camp kicks off and the regular season begins.

The Crimson Tide return 12 starters from last year’s championship team, including seven on the offensive side of the ball. There are question marks with this team heading into fall camp, but no reason as to why they can't defend their title in 2012.

With the season only a month away, here is what the depth chart should look like for your Alabama Crimson Tide as we enter fall camp.

Quarterback

Starter: AJ McCarron, Junior

Backup: Phillip Ely, Freshman

It took a while for McCarron to get going, but as the weeks went by, he began to show he has what it takes to lead this football team. In the national championship against LSU, he threw for 234 yards while completing nearly 68 percent of his passes. Entering his junior season, McCarron could end up becoming one of the better quarterbacks in the country.

Running Back

Starter: Eddie Lacy, Junior

Backup: Jalston Fowler, Junior

Lacy is the back that is next in line to help lead this Crimson Tide offense. In backup roles the last two seasons, Lacy has averaged over seven yards a carry while scoring 13 touchdowns. He is a big running back who has the size to be effective in a much larger role. He has dealt with injuries throughout his career, but will be ready by the time fall camp arrives.

Receivers

Starter: Kenny Bell, Junior

Backup: DeAndrew White, Sophomore

Bell is the top returning receiver from a year ago with 17 receptions for 255 yards. He is an extremely fast receiver who is a threat to take one the distance every time the ball is in his hands. Expect an even more productive season from Bell with many playmakers no longer on this offense.

Starter: Christion Jones, Sophomore

Backup: Kevin Norwood, Junior

Jones is another speedster who is capable of playing either side of the ball for the Tide. He finished his freshman year with three receptions for 49 yards while also being a factor on special teams. Every wide receiver position is up for grabs, so expect Jones to make a serious push for more playing time.

Starter: Harrison Jones, Sophomore

Backup: Brian Vogler, Sophomore

Jones played in eight games as a freshman, but wasn't much of a factor on offense. He will have an expanded role in 2012. He has a great combination of size and speed and can quickly develop into a playmaker on this side of the ball.

Offensive Line

Left Tackle

Starter: Cyrus Kouandjio, Sophomore

Backup: Kellen Williams, Junior

Kouandjio played in eight games as a freshman last season before suffering a season-ending knee injury. He will have the important task of protecting McCarron's blinside in 2012.

Left Guard

Starter: Chance Warmack, Senior

Backup: Chad Lindsay, Sophomore

Warmack is entering his third season as the starting left guard for the Tide. He is a big boy at 6'3", 320 pounds and has a bright future at the next level.

Center

Starter: Barrett Jones, Senior

Backup: Ryan Kelly, Freshman

Jones is arguably the best lineman in all of college football. He was a first-team All-SEC selection last season, along with becoming a first-team All-American and winning the Outland Trophy. There are no worries whatsoever at the center position.

Right Guard

Starter: Anthony Steen, Junior

Backup: Issac Luatua, Freshman

Steen started the first seven games at right guard before suffering an injury. He will be back in the starting lineup when Week 1 arrives and is considered a top 150 player in the SEC by Bleacher Report.

Right Tackle

Starter: D.J. Fluker, Junior

Backup: Austin Shepherd, Sophomore

Fluker is an elite tackle who could have left early for the NFL draft during the offseason. Since he decided to return, he will remain at right tackle, a position he has played in 22 games for Alabama.

Defensive Line

Defensive End

Starter: Damion Square, Senior

Backup: Jeoffrey Pagan, Sophomore 

Square started all 12 games last season at defensive end and finished with 30 tackles, seven tackles for loss and a sack.

Nose Tackle

Starter: Jesse Williams, Senior

Backup: Brandon Ivory, Sophomore

Williams is an extremely strong man who played in 13 games after transferring from junior college. In a limited role, he showed improvement, racking up 24 tackles, four of which were for a loss.

Defensive End

Starter: Quinton Dial, Senior

Backup: Ed Stinson, Junior

Dial was also a junior college transfer last season who finished with 19 tackles and a sack. This position will be up for grabs, but regardless of who wins the starting role, both will see a lot of playing time.

Linebackers

Starter: Adrian Hubbard, Sophomore

Backup: Jonathan Atchison, Junior

Hubbard is a huge linebacker at 6'6", 250 pounds who is extremely athletic and should develop into a great pass-rusher.  The former 4-star recruit will see a lot more playing time in 2012 after playing in eight games last season.

Starter: Xzavier Dickson, Sophomore

Backup: Ryan Anderson, Freshman

Dickson is an athletic linebacker, who could earn his way into a starting role. He played in six games last season, but with his explosiveness, I wouldn't be surprised to see him playing every down for this Alabama team.

Starter: Nico Johnson, Senior

Backup: C.J. Mosley, Junior

Johnson is now the veteran of the linebacker corps, as he has played in every game of his career. Last season, he racked up 46 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and a sack. He is one of the best run-stoppers in the entire country.

Starter: Trey DePriest, Sophomore

Backup: Tana Patrick, Junior

DePriest played in a limited role last year as a freshman, but the former 5-star recruit will likely end up a starter in 2012. He is a quick linebacker who has ferocious hitting ability and will fit in nicely with this Tide defense.

Defensive Backs

Cornerback

Starter: Dee Milliner, Junior

Backup: Travell Dixon, Junior

Milliner has started majority of the last two seasons, and nothing will change about that in 2012. He led the team with three interceptions last season and is considered the 60th-best player in the SEC by Bleacher Report.

Safety

Starter: Robert Lester, Senior

Backup: Nick Perry, Junior

Leser is an experienced safety who has been a consistent player in the defensive backfield for Alabama. He had two interceptions last season and is a strong candidate for the 2012 Thorpe Award.

Safety

Starter: Vinnie Sunseri, Sophomore

Backup: Hasean Clinton-Dix, Sophomore

Sunseri played in every game as a freshman, finishing with 30 tackles and a broken-up pass. He finished second on the team with 11 special team tackles, but will see an expanded role at the safety position in 2012.

Cornerback

Starter: Deion Belue, Junior

Backup: John Fulton, Junior

This position will remain a battle throughout the fall, but Belue, a junior college transfer, is quickly gaining some props around campus. He isn't the biggest of corners, but has great football instincts and is a playmaker when the ball is in the air.

Specialists

Kicker

Starter: Cade Foster, Junior

Backup: Jeremy Shelley, Senior

Both kickers were terrible last season and almost cost the team a chance at a national championship berth. I'm sure both kickers will get their shots at redemption this season, but Foster seems to get the nod early because of a 48-yard kick he made during the spring game.

Punter

Starter: Cody Mandell, Junior

Mandell looked better in the spring game than he did last season, landing four of his 16 attempts inside the 20-yard line. On 37 attempts last season, Mandell averaged 38.7 yards per attempt.