Alabama's Recruiting Class of 2015 Already a Great One

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Even though he’s only 13 games into his collegiate career, University of Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley can’t avoid the comparisons.

He considers them the highest form of praise but makes it clear that he’s not Amari Cooper or even the next version of the 2014 Heisman Trophy finalist.

“I’ve heard it. That’s amazing, but I’m myself,” Ridley said. “I don't really pay attention to it, but I'll take it. The guy's great."

That’s the kind of thing that’s been going on a lot when it comes to the Crimson Tide’s last recruiting class, which is already living up to its high expectations. Like just about every other class Nick Saban has brought to Alabama, it was widely hailed as being the best in the nation, and many players have already made an impact.

For example, Ridley and cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick were both named to the Sporting News Freshman All-America Team, along with guard Ross Pierschbacher, who was in the Crimson Tide’s signing class of 2014 and redshirted.

The three were also on the Freshman All-Southeastern Conference Team as selected by league coaches, along with redshirt freshman cornerback Marlon Humphrey.

Fitzpatrick, who earned a starting spot in Alabama’s nickel package during training camp, has been credited with 41 tackles including three tackles for a loss and two sacks, along with eight pass breakups and a quarterback hurry.

He blocked a punt and returned it for touchdown and became the first player in school history to return two interceptions for touchdowns in a single game (against Texas A&M on Oct. 17).

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Meanwhile, when sophomore wide receiver Robert Foster suffered a season-ending shoulder injury against Ole Miss, Ridley stepped into the starting lineup and had 120 receiving yards at Georgia and 140 the following week against Arkansas.

After making eight receptions for 102 yards against Florida, he had a freshman school-record 75 catches for 893 yards and five touchdowns, which earned him second-team All-SEC honors. Among freshmen he’s second nationally in catches and third in receiving yards.

While those are Cooper-like numbers, four of the five touchdowns were also for 30 yards or more, including the 45-yard deep ball at Georgia, the 81-yard bomb against Arkansas and the 60-yard screen at Mississippi State.

Name	Year	Games	Catches	Yards	TDs
Julio Jones	2008	14	58	924	4
Amari Cooper	2012	14	59	1,000	11
Calvin Ridley	2015	13*	75	893	5

“He’s a real good receiver, runs good clean routes,” Fitzpatrick said. “He has that long speed that once he gets downhill he’s rolling.

“But Calvin is Calvin, that’s what he likes to say.”

Joining them in making a big initial splash this season were newcomers like defensive lineman Da'Ron Payne, who was in Alabama’s rotation and even made a pair of starts this season, including against LSU.

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Safety Ronnie Harrison started against Texas A&M. He blocked a punt through the end zone for a safety against Middle Tennessee and made two interceptions.

When senior running back Kenyan Drake suffered an arm fracture against Mississippi State, Damien Harris was Derrick Henry’s primary backup. He also saw extensive time this season on special teams.

“In college the spaces are a lot tighter, the holes are a lot smaller,” Harris said about the difference between high school and college ball. “You have to get used to it because in high school you want to bounce it and in college that’s a good run.

“In high school, running backs really don’t have to pass-protect. Things like that, the speed of the game.”

Meanwhile, tackle Lester Cotton spent the season working with the second-unit offensive line. Hale Hentges was a regular contributor as a blocking tight end and made his first career start against Charleston Southern. Shawn Burgess-Becker saw action in 12 games, mostly on special teams.

Name	Pos.	247 Rank	2015 season
Calvin Ridley	WR	11	His 75 catches, 893 yards lead team
Kendall Sheffield	DB	20	Redshirted
Blake Barnett	QB	21	Redshirted
Da'Ron Payne	DT	29	Made two starts, credited with 13 tackles
Minkah Fitzpatrick	CB	30	Tops team with 10 passes defended
Damien Harris	RB	31	Third in rushing with 155 yards
Deionte Thompson	S	44	Redshirted
Lester Cotton	T	55	Played in four games as backup tackle
Richie Petitbon	G	65	Redshirted
Daylon Charlot	WR	90	Played in five games, made two catches
Mekhi Brown	DE	114	Redshirted, switched to LB
Hale Hentges	TE	145	Played in 12 games, made one catch
Desherrius Flowers	RB	146	Academic issue, enrolled at Jones County CC
Shawn Burgess-Becker	ATH	166	Played in 12 games, made 3 tackles
Adonis Thomas	OLB	170	Redshirted
Anfernee Jennings	DE	172	Redshirted
Ronnie Harrison	S	197	Made 14 tackles, two interceptions
Dallas Warmack	G	228	Redshirted
Joshua McMillon	OLB	244	Redshirted
Brandon Kennedy	G	302	Redshirted
Jonathan Taylor	DT	35 JC	Dismissed from team
Christian Bell	DE	445	Grayshirted, signed last week
Keaton Anderson	OLB	584	Redshirted
Matt Womack	T	621	Redshirted

Overall, Alabama had six players in the 2015 class who were rated by 247Sports as being 5-star recruits. Two redshirted, but quarterback Blake Barnett was in the competition to start until the last week of training camp, and the coaching staff remains high on cornerback Kendall Sheffield’s potential.

Including running back Bo Scarbrough, who didn’t join the Crimson Tide until this year, 10 true freshmen played during the Crimson Tide's regular season on top of nine redshirt freshmen. That also doesn’t include late addition Xavian Marks, a speedster who is someone to keep an eye on on special teams.

Collectively, these young players once again proved that Saban isn’t afraid to play a freshman if he shows the necessary ability and consistency.

“Minkah has done a great job of that,” Saban said. “Calvin Ridley has done a good job of that. Sustaining the standard. Nobody is entitled to anything. You have to earn it.”

Fitzpatrick said he felt like he could contribute “the first day I got here,” while Ridley knew he could after his first scrimmage. By the time the SEC Championship Game against Florida rolled around, they really weren’t freshmen anymore.

“I almost cried when I came out [of the tunnel],” the Sunshine State product Ridley said. “I know a lot of guys on that team. It was a lot of fun.”

Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.

Christopher Walsh is a lead SEC college football writer. Follow Christopher on Twitter @WritingWalsh.