Alabama Football: Redshirt Freshmen Set for Breakout 2015

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Fourteen scholarship members of Alabama’s 24-member No. 1-ranked 2014 recruiting class saw the field for the Crimson Tide in 2014.

For the other 10, they sat on the sidelines for a redshirt year while their teammates went to an SEC Championship and the inaugural College Football Playoff.

But several of them could be in line for a much different 2015.

Through offseason work and spring practice, a handful showed they could play big roles in 2015.

Let’s take a look at some redshirt freshmen who could breakout next season.

David Cornwell

Bill Haber/Associated Press

2014 rating: 4-star quarterback, No. 79 overall player, No. 4 pro-style passer, No. 1 player in Oklahoma

If the chips fall the right way for Cornwell, he could have the biggest year of any of this bunch.

Cornwell emerged from spring practice as the biggest mover from that month-and-a-half. He essentially became the No. 2 quarterback, taking the second-most reps in the final two scrimmages of the spring, including A-Day, behind the favorite Jake Coker.

He sat last season after an ankle injury in spring practice derailed what small chance he had of winning the job. It’s also just what new quarterbacks have done under Nick Saban.

A quarterback redshirting in his first season on campus with Saban is not at all unprecedented. What he does next could be.

Ross Pierschbacher

Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports

2014 rating: 4-star offensive tackle, No. 74 overall player, No. 6 tackle, No. 1 player in Iowa

The Crimson Tide first-team offensive line didn’t see much shifting during spring practice, a group that included Pierschbacher at left guard.

Saban regularly praised Pierschbacher when talking about the offensive line this spring, including him in a group of four offensive linemen that he feels can play “winning football.”

Last year, Alabama lacked toughness and physicality up front, something that Pierschbacher very much brings to the table.

Alabama’s offensive line has the potential to become a strength for it next year, and Pierschbacher could be a reason why.

Ronnie Clark

Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

2014 rating: 4-star outside linebacker, No. 70 overall player, No. 5 outside linebacker, No. 5 player in Alabama

Clark was billed as a do-it-all guy out of Calera High School, and he’s certainly lived up to that billing so far.

He started off at safety when he got to campus and got a couple of looks at running back. But an Achilles injury suffered during an in-season practice took him out of the mix and solidified his redshirt.

In spring, he was a major player.

With Alabama running backs dropping like flies, that’s where Clark started and finished spring drills, and where he looks to be settling in for his career. He was essentially the third running back once Bo Scarbrough suffered his knee injury and will challenge incoming 5-star Damien Harris for that role going forward.

Marlon Humphrey

Photo courtesy 247Sports

2014 rating: 5-star cornerback, No. 12 overall player, No. 3 cornerback, No. 1 player in Alabama

One of Alabama’s biggest names of the 2014 class went largely unheard of last year, sitting out on-field work as Alabama’s cornerback shuffle continued in front of him.

Eddie Jackson’s move to safety only helps his chances of seeing the field this year.

It will still be an uphill battle for a starting role on defense, though, but not out of the question.

Right now he is, at best, the No. 3 cornerback behind Tony Brown and Cyrus Jones. He spent the spring battling with Anthony Averett and Bradley Sylve for that third cornerback role.

Humphrey could also be used in kick and punt returns, where his track-star speed would be a major boost to a unit that was largely a weakness last season.

Marc Torrence is the Alabama lead writer for Bleacher Report. All quotes and reporting were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Recruiting ratings were provided by 247Sports unless otherwise noted.

Follow on Twitter @marctorrence.