Alabama Football: 8 Biggest Holes in the Roster Tide Must Fill for 2013

Alabama’s march to Miami this season was propelled by a small, but decorated senior class that is in position to help the Tide claim an unprecedented third national title in the last four seasons. 

While veteran stalwarts such as Barrett Jones, Nico Johnson and Robert Lester have some unfinished business in the form of next month's BCS title game, their departures—plus a few talented juniors that could leave early for the NFL—will leave some massive holes to fill in the coming offseason.

Considering Alabama is back in the national title game one year after losing five players selected within the first 35 picks of the most recent NFL draft, Nick Saban and his staff have demonstrated the ability to reload in a hurry.

However, losing a handful of stars that formed the core of a program that has gone 48-5 since 2009 will undoubtedly prove to be a tough task.   

So which veterans will Saban and his staff have the most concern in replacing for the 2013 season? 

Here are the eight biggest holes in the roster Alabama must fill for next season.  

8. Jeremy Shelley

Jeremy Shelley has been lights out in his final season serving as the Tide’s short-range placekicker, making all 11 of his attempts in 2012. 

For his career, Shelley has made 44 of 55 attempts—including booting five field goals in last season’s national title game against LSU. 

Redshirt freshman Adam Griffith—rated as the nation’s top kicker in the class of 2012 by 247 Sports—will have a tall order in replacing the reliable Shelley.   

7. Nico Johnson

Johnson stepped into a spot vacated by Dont’a Hightower and has been one of the anchors in the middle of a defense that remains the nation’s best against the run.

Johnson has racked up 161 tackles during his career at the Capstone, including 54 stops this season (third best on the team).   

If junior C.J. Mosley—who is a co-starter with Johnson at one of the two middle linebacker positions in the Tide’s 3-4 scheme—opts to turn pro, finding a replacement and depth at that spot could prove to be one of the main storylines of the spring.  

6. Robert Lester

Lester came to the Capstone as a part of Alabama’s decorated 2008 recruiting class, with more fans associating him as the prep teammate of former Tide great Julio Jones than for his credentials as a stud safety. 

Five years later, Lester has become a pillar of stability as a three-year starter in Saban’s secondary and racked up 14 career interceptions in the process. 

While Alabama is blessed with several young talented prospects at the safety position, Lester’s experience and playmaking ability will be sorely missed next season.  

5. Damion Square

Damion Square is another valuable veteran that has started for most of the last three seasons, with the fifth-year senior providing a steadying presence at defensive end. 

With backup Quinton Dial also being a senior, Square’s spot will likely be another position that will lose a ton of experience and dependability by potentially turning to an underclassman in 2013.  

4. Jesse Williams

Jesse Williams’ two-year tenure in Tuscaloosa has been a memorable one, with the Australian native providing a boost to the defensive line after starring at defensive end last season and at nose tackle this season. 

The 6’4”, 320-pound former JUCO transfer will leave a sizable hole in the middle of the Tide’s front three.

His ability to take on double-teams and his versatility to play anywhere along the line are valuable traits that will prove tough to replace for Saban's defense.   

3. Chance Warmack

The lesser-known of Alabama’s duo of All-American offensive linemen, Chance Warmack turned in a dominant senior season that helped the Tide put two running backs over the 1,000-yard barrier. 

The three-year starter was twice named the SEC’s Offensive Lineman of the Week and leads the team with 36 pancake blocks this season (h/t, rolltide.com).

Chad Lindsay, who will be a junior next season, will have the unenviable task of stepping into the void left by one the nation’s top left guards.  

2. Dee Milliner

Although there are several underclassmen like Mosley and running back Eddie Lacy that could test the waters in the NFL draft next season, the potential loss of Dee Milliner could prove the toughest for Saban to navigate next season. 

Even with Milliner—who was recently named a first-team All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation—the Tide’s secondary struggled mightily over the last half of the 2012 season. 

Junior John Fulton, who played well in limited action this season, is listed as Milliner’s backup, and his experience will likely benefit him should he take over in the event Milliner turns pro.   

1. Barrett Jones

Easily one the most decorated offensive linemen to ever play college football, Jones has embodied excellence on and off the field since arriving at the Capstone in 2008. 

Jones played three different positions in as many seasons at an All-American level—which offers a glimpse into his ability and intelligence on the field. 

Freshman Ryan Kelly—who backs up Jones and was recently named to the SEC’s All-Freshman team—is a talented center prospect with a bright future. 

However, even though offensive linemen are rarely celebrated as "once in a generation" type of players, Jones is clearly an exception to that rule—which also means his departure will be felt for years to come. 

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