The Great Mystery: Alabama's Depth Chart

Everybody loves a mystery. What is Area 51? Where is Jimmy Hoffa’s body buried? Why do dogs have black lips? 

But the biggest mystery on Tide Fans minds are the location and contents of the mythical though officially non-existent depth chart. I too, want to see the real one but absent that I’m going to wager a guess as to the contents.

Quarterback

12 Greg McElroy – SR – 6’3” 225 lbs

Is undefeated as a starter and the leader of the offense.  He lacks the John Elway skill set, but what he has the game experience and is a proven winner.  It's his job unless he does something to lose it or gets hurt.

10 AJ McCarron – FR – 6’4” 190 lbs

Actually has a bigger arm than McElroy and can make more of the throws, but without game experience he should only see mop up duty this year.

If something should happen, however, McCarron looks to be ready.

14 Phillip Sims – FR - 214 lbs

Should have redshirted this year, but with the departure of Star Jackson it is possible this could be in jeopardy. Alabama may bring up a walkon to hold the third spot if they determine to redshit sims.

Running Backs

22 Mark Ingram - Jr - 5’10” 210 lbs

Is still the man. Mark showed this spring he was not quite ready to retire.

3 Trent Richardson – SO – 5’11” 220 lbs

At times he is the most dangerous running back on the field.

He was dinged up this spring so it was difficult to tell how much gap he has closed between himself and Ingram. The staff appeared to be wanting to throw to him more, and we may see both Ingram and Richardson on the field at the same time this year (que the hallelujah music ).

42 Eddie Lacy – FR – 6’0” 212 lbs

Though Demtrus Goode came on very strong this spring, I believe Lacy showed more explosion with the ball in his hands.

If he can improve his pass blocking and pass catching, I expect him to get the nod at the third spot.

6 Demetrius Goode – JR – 5’ 9” 220 lbs

If Lacy can’t handle the pass catching part of the game look for Goode to slip past Lacy for the third spot. 

The difference is critical as only three backs generally get significant carries. Lacy seems to have more upside, so I'm thinking Goode will remain at No. 4.

FullBack

Yes, the position still exists, mostly on the goal line and the position is mixed heavily with the H-Back position. 

But sometimes you’ll see them bring out the good old rock hammer and go old school on somebody. When that happens look for:

34 – Jaramie Griffin – JR – 6’2” 232 lbs

His career was sidetracked by a major knee injury. He’s still Alabama’s biggest pure running back and has no moves except to run over you. 

I don’t think he realizes there is a sideline because I’ve never seen him so much as veer towards it. A perfect fullback.

33 – Mike Marrow – FR – 6’2” 240 lbs

Marrow was a raw prospect, who is currently listed as an H-back but he’s pretty large.  After a year in the system, I expect he will be getting pretty ripe for some collisions.

Wide Receivers

8 - Julio Jones – JR – 6’4” 211 lbs

Needs to improve on his 42 catches from last year, but is still the man every defensive back wants to find at the snap. Jones is perhaps the SEC’s most effective decoy and is a devastating down field blocker.

11 - Brandon Gibson – JR – 6’2” 196 lbs

I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that Gibson will finally break into the rotation this year, and begin to fulfill the promise of his four-star rating out of high school.

88 – Michael Bowman – SO – 6’4” 225 lbs

Earl Alexander really belongs here but he may not be durable enough to hold the spot for an entire season. Bowman is a beast of a wide receiver and may play tight end as well. 

There have been mixed and conflicting reports on Bowman's actual size. The school lists him at 225 pounds, but some Internet bloggers claim he is closer to 250 or more.

Either way, he's an imposing looking receiver for sure.

Slot Receiver

4 – Marquis Maze – Jr – 5’10” 179 lbs

The smallish Maze continues to hold off the competition.  Maze made huge strides during the season last year and ripped the Florida secondary in the SEC championship game.  This spring he showed he isn’t done yet.

15 – Darius Hanks – JR – 6’0” 184 lbs

Is getting pushed by some talented freshman but continued to hold them at bay this spring. His game experience should continue to help him hold this spot.   

Hanks has disappeared at times in the past, another lapse could cost him.

83 – Kevin Norwood  - FR – 6’2” 187 lbs

Norwood was the best of the freshmen pushing hanks. If Norwood continues to improve he may be hard to keep off the field.

H-Back

85 Preston Dial – SR – 6’3” 237 lbs

Dial, a scrappy player has earned his shot, and I believe he will be the top man at H-Back this year. He’s a great blocker but has yet to make hay catching the ball.

17 Brad Smelly – JR – 6’3” 227 lbs

For the second year in a row, he will be held back from the starting spot by a senior. If Dial falters catching the ball these two could flip-flop.

Tight End

89 Michael Williams – SO – 6’6” 270 lbs

Williams is a great athlete, but not as refined a pass catcher as Peek was last year. However, he looks like an All-Star in the making.

87 Chris Underwood – JR – 6’4” 238 lbs

If true freshman Brian Vogler shows some blocking ability, Underwood could lose this spot.

But for now, I’m going to say his experience keeps him on top. 

Alabama has no other non-freshman pure tight ends aside from Williams. Look for a backup tackle to line up at tight end near the goal line.

Nick Saban to date has taken the approach of training his lineman to play several positions and bringing the best man off the bench when needed.  

Offensive Line

Left Tackle 77 James Carpenter – SR – 6’5” 300 lbs

With a year of starting experience look for Carpenter to have an even better year. A solid year could garner a decent draft position for Carpenter.

Left Guard 65 Chance Warmack – SO – 6’3” 300 lbs

Warmack is built like a Sherman tank, he will be hard to ferret out of this spot.

Center 73 William Vlachos - JR – 6’2” 289 lbs

Assuming his foot problem is healed, he should step back in at center. Vlachos is still small for an SEC lineman, but he's pretty much a tree stump with feet. 

Even Mt. Cody couldn't push him backwards.

Right Guard 75 Barrett Jones - SO – 6’4” 301 lbs

Jones struggled early last year as a new starter but this off season he put on a little more bulk and should be solid. 

Right Tackle 76 DJ Fluker - 6’6” 340 lbs

Flukers hold on this spot is tenuous. but the staff clearly wants to develop his vast potential. Fluker should already be a solid run blocker but his pass blocking needs to continue to improve.

After the starters come a list of backups who will trot off the bench. On the interior we start with:

66 David Ross – SR – 6’3” 302 lbs

Ross has starting experience and can play center or guard.  He started all spring in place of Vlachos while his foot was healing.

67 John Michael Boswell – JR – 6’5” 291 lbs

Boswell also has starting experience and can play either guard position and has played tackle.

66 Brian Motley – SR – 6’3” 289 lbs

Motley is athletic and can play either center or guard position.

61 Anthony Steen – FR – 6’3” 292 lbs

If a longer term injury were to happen at guard, I suspect Anthony Steen might get a shot. He’s not as experienced as the others but may have more potential.

If pure tackles are needed the first man off the bench would likely be:

52 Alfred McCullough - JR – 6’2” 309 lbs

McCullough will be the man sent in should DJ Fluker falter at tackle.  McCullough is a little short but is athletic and has long arms. His pass blocking is what might get him the starting nod over Fluker.

72 Tyler Love  - SO – 6’6” 304 lbs

Love has taken a little longer to percolate than some would have liked be he is improving steadily and is moving in the right direction. Love needs some game experience.

The offense won't look terribly different from last year as most starters return. My next article on defense may be a little more speculative.