Alabama Football: 10 Most Important Returning Players
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama’s returning roster is just about set.
Three juniors declared for the NFL draft, so, apart from the regular offseason attrition (some of which has already begun), we have a good idea of what major names and faces will be back next season.
The Crimson Tide will need new names and faces to step up to replace stars like Amari Cooper, T.J. Yeldon, Trey DePriest and Landon Collins. They also need their big returning contributors to continue their high-level play.
With that, let’s look at the 10 most important returning players for Alabama next year.
10. QB Jake Coker
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Alabama’s de facto No. 1 quarterback entering the spring won’t exactly be handed the starting job just because he was Blake Sims’ backup this season.
Still, Coker’s development could go a long way in determining the success of Alabama’s offense in 2015.
He struggled to win the job this offseason. And in his limited game action, he showed off the physical talents that made him such a coveted transfer. His limitations with the playbook and decision-making are understandable given how he only got to campus in May.
But by the time the 2015 season rolls around, Coker will have had a year and some change in the system.
9. CB Cyrus Jones
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In a secondary that will feature a lot of new faces, Alabama should be able to count on its sure thing to keep doing his thing.
Jones started every game at cornerback for the Crimson Tide, and the 5’10”, 194-pound converted wide receiver showed why the coaches trusted him so much.
He uses his physicality to overcome his size, especially against bigger wide receivers. Eddie Jackson and Tony Brown rotated opposite him, but Jones’ spot on the field never wavered.
He’ll be the leader of next year’s group in terms of seniority, experience and playing time.
8. DL Jonathan Allen
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Alabama’s 2015 defensive line will be quite the spectacle, in terms of talent and production, so any one of its four returning starters—A’Shawn Robinson, Jarran Reed, D.J. Pettway and Jonathan Allen—could have gone here.
But Allen gets the nod for leading the group last year in sacks (five) and tackles for loss (11). He’s also the face of the unit, of sorts, in terms of media appearances and being the highest-rated of the bunch out of high school.
2015 could also be Allen’s last year in the program. His size and abilities make him an ideal candidate as a pass-rusher at the next level.
He will anchor a group with seemingly no ceiling next year.
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7. S Geno Smith
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Alabama needs a safety to step up, and Geno Smith will likely be the first one it looks to.
With Collins, Jarrick Williams and Nick Perry all gone next season, the Crimson Tide will be breaking in a few new starters at safety. Smith has regularly taken backup reps there and saw extended time at the “Star” spot in stretches last year.
Smith moved to safety after an initial year at corner and has the range and ball skills to play free safety on the back end. He’s rotated in and out there in some instances due to injury.
He should get his first, long look there in the spring and into fall camp. Alabama will be very thin on options if he can’t handle the full-time duties.
6. P JK Scott
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There is an argument to be made that Alabama’s freshman phenom punter was its most valuable player of 2014, especially in close games against LSU, Mississippi State, Auburn and Ohio State.
Scott consistently flipped the field with his booming and accurate leg. He even made Nick Saban say, “Sometimes good enough is good enough.”
For an offense breaking in nine new starters, Scott’s number of punts should increase slightly from the 55 he registered this past season.
Scott was fairly consistent from his first, eye-opening punt against West Virginia until the Sugar Bowl. Can he keep that up in his sophomore season?
5. LB Ryan Anderson
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Alabama will need to replace some pass-rushing prowess with Xzavier Dickson’s team-leading nine sacks gone to the NFL.
Anderson got increased reps last year, notching three of his own, and is a prime candidate to step into that No. 1 outside linebacker role next year.
His 2015 isn’t exactly off to a sterling start. He was arrested early Tuesday morning, Jan. 20, for domestic violence third-degree criminal mischief after he allegedly kicked his girlfriend’s car and caused visible damage, according to a Tuscaloosa Police Department spokesman.
That will likely earn Anderson a little bit of time in Saban’s doghouse, but not enough to stop him from being a force next season.
4. TE O.J. Howard
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With the Crimson Tide’s three starting receivers gone, O.J. Howard is Alabama’s top returning pass-catcher from last year in receptions (17) and yards (260).
Alabama is also losing senior tight end Brian Vogler. That should spell a big year for the athletic receiving tight end.
There isn’t much in the way of skill position guys returning for the Alabama offense, so Howard will be counted on for production, especially early on in the year.
He has the potential to be an elite target in the passing game. Is 2015 when he finally has a big year?
3. RB Derrick Henry
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Alabama needs a feature back with T.J. Yeldon gone. Can Henry be that guy?
He actually led the Crimson Tide in rushing yards last year with 990. He edged Yeldon’s 979 and did it with 22 fewer carries, though Yeldon sat out Alabama’s game against Western Carolina as a precaution.
Henry has always been a nice change-of-pace back for Alabama, a hammer to drop when the shifty Yeldon comes out of the game. Now, he’ll be the guy.
While Kenyan Drake recovers from a broken leg, Henry is the unquestioned No. 1. He’s never carried the ball more than 20 times in a game. Can he be the guy Alabama leans on during the 2015 season?
2. Reggie Ragland
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Ragland emerged as a star in 2014 as a full-time starter and will be one of the few familiar faces in Alabama’s back seven in 2015.
He played mostly in Trey DePriest’s shadow last year and racked up a team second-best 93 tackles along the way.
After announcing his intentions to return for his senior season, Ragland will be the leader of the linebacking core and defense as a whole.
He’ll likely be charged with making calls and checks pre-snap, as well as mentoring a young inside linebacker like Reuben Foster or Shaun Dion Hamilton.
1. Cam Robinson
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If we’re going by indispensability, nobody is more irreplaceable than Robinson.
Alabama’s freshman left tackle exceeded expectations, starting all 14 games and becoming the Crimson Tide’s top offensive lineman in the process. He kept Blake Sims clean in the passing game and was a mauler in run blocking.
Now, he’ll look to avoid the same fate as JK Scott: a sophomore slump.
Robinson will also be one of only two returning starters along the offensive line. He can make his new quarterback’s life a lot easier by keeping him upright.
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