Alabama's Mystery Depth Chart: The Defense

In part one of my mystery depth chart covering the defense I had lots of on field evidence to use. In this installment I'm required to guesstimate and even reach for clues.

Defensive Line

The most experienced unit of the defense ironically returns zero starters from last year. Nick Saban historically rotates as many good lineman as he can prepare. But the top two at each position play almost equally.

Right End

No. 57 Marcel Dareus. JR, 6' 4” 306

Marcel exploded on the scene late in the season and was the MVP of the National Title game against Texas. Follow that up with a big year and Dareus may secure his future draft status. Anything less than an All-America season would be a let down for Dareus.

No. 94 Darrington Sentimore. FR, 6' 3” 261

Sentimore got beat out by sophomore Undra Billingsley this spring for the number two spot, but I'm predicting he will make a comeback this fall and take it back. But it won't be easy. Billingsley is a talented player who came on strong this spring.

Nose Guard

No. 99 Josh Chapman. SR, 6' 1” 310

Chapman has played solid ball for two years, and in his final year I expect him to continue to do so, if not improve.

No. 64 Kerry Murphy. SO, 6' 4” 323

If Mt Cody had a little brother he would probably look a bit like Murphy—very big and very athletic. Murphy may line up next to Chapman in some situations and may be a better pass rusher. I thought he would take the top spot, but he was unable to do so this spring. So I believe Chapman will hold off all comers this year.

Left End

No. 96 Luther Davis. SR, 6' 1” 279

This will be Luther's first year as a starter, but he has been a solid contributor since his arrival. Davis is a good pass rusher who hasn't had enough opportunity to show himself.

No. 92 Damion Square. SO, 6' 3” 284

Were it not for Square blowing out his knee I would predict him to overtake Davis for first string. But I believe the injury may give Davis the edge.

Linebackers

Jack

No. 41 Courtney Upshaw. JR, 6' 2” 263

Last year, Upshaw almost seemed to disappear. But his resurgence at the end of the season shows that player development never ends at the capstone. Upshaw has beefed up to over 260 lbs, but he still has the speed to close the gap on a pass rush. If there was any chance of him losing this spot he erased it this spring.

No. 47 Ed Stinson. FR, 6' 4” 252

Stinson was the first linebacker recruited specifically for the Jack position. He has the prototypical size for the spot, but he will have to wait another year or two because Upshaw has it locked up. Fortunately, Stinson should get valuable playing time this year.

Mike

No. 30 Dant'a Hightower. JR, 6' 4” 260

I was never more happy to be wrong than when I predicted that Hightower would never play this spring. His quick return from injury is an amazing story, and he looked good enough to predict a full return to strength this fall. His recovery will go a long way toward filling the giant crater left by the departure of Roland McClain to the NFL.

No. 36 Chris Jordan. JR, 6' 3” 232

Jordan arrived as a running back, but he was quickly shifted to linebacker. He has been working his tail off to get on the field.

He was a common reserve this past year and will play even more this year. I believe with Hightower's previous injury in mind, the staff will send Jordan in often to keep Hightower fresh.

Will

No. 35 Nico Johnson. SO, 6' 3” 231

Johnson may have fallen behind Jordan this spring for the starting spot, but I'm going to predict he will get it back this fall. As with any sophomore, there is the possibility of the dreaded slump. If there is any hint of letup from Johnson, Chris Jordan will snag his spot and may not let it go.

No. 2 Tana Patrick. FR, 6' 3” 231

Many expected him to explode onto the scene this spring, but he didn't get as far as a starting assignment. Patrick, however, will slip onto the field this fall in relief and begin building his resume for the future.

Sam

No. 5 Jarrell Harris. SR, 6' 4” 223

Yes, after a long wait we will see Harris bring his athletic play to the field. Harris will be used in multiple ways and formations and the job will not be easy to learn, but he will be ready.  

No. 55 Chavis Williams. SR, 6' 4” 223

The long forgotten recruit that Nick Stole away from Houston Nutt and the Arkansas Razorbacks, Williams career has been a resounding flop up until this point.

Still, he's built like a greyhound and the staff has long wanted to see him bring his skills to the pass rush. I'm predicting that in his final year, Williams will finally play a significant roll.

I will warn you ahead of time. Most of us will cuss most everyone in the secondary this year at some point. Don't get me wrong, we have some great players, but they are going to make mistakes. They will need a short memory. Fortunately for Alabama, Nick Saban is possibly the best defensive back coach in college football period.

Free Safety

No. 4 Mark Barron. JR, 6' 2” 210

Barron is the only experienced returning player at this position. He seems to be more of a quiet leader, but he may need to become more vocal.

Strong Safety

No. 37 Robert Lester. SO, 6' 2” 206

Some felt Lester was recruited off of Julio Jone's high school team to help us land Julio, but Lester had a good showing himself in summer camps. He will prove that he was not just an accessory this year when he starts at safety. He will battle with Rod Woodson to keep his job, but I believe his ball skills will keep him on top.

No. 18 Rod Woodson. SO, 5' 11” 199

Woodson, a vicious hitter, will be first off the bench at either safety position. His nack for the sack may get him on the field when Alabama is wanting to pressure the passer more, but he also may be used in run support.

Woodson and Lester may be considered co-starters.

Jarrick Williams. FR, 6' 2” 205

Williams is a true freshman who has the opportunity to play right now. He has all the skills needed to become a regular part of the Tide rotation. The question this fall will be how much of the defense can he learn, and how quickly.

Corner 

No. 21 Dre Kirkpatrick. SO, 6' 3” 190

Kirkpatrick will line up against some of the best players in football this year.

Like Kareem Jackson before him, he will occasionally get burned. Don't let these lapses fool you—Kirkpatrick is an elite player who will only get better.

No. 1 Burton Scott. SO, 5' 11” 193

Scott is a five-star talent that Alabama needs to get on the field. It has taken him a solid year to learn to be a college defensive back, but I believe he will improve by leaps and bounds this year.

Nickel

The primary backup at both corners and fifth defensive back in certain formations:

No. 9 Phelon Jones. JR, 5' 11” 199

The LSU transfer has some SEC experience and will be a solid fifth back. He will play roughly as much as the other corners in Alabama's defense.

No. 10 John Fulton. FR, 6' 1” 179

Demarcus Milliner may have more upside, but I'm thinking Fulton may be the more game-ready player this fall and will be the next man off the bench when needed. The gap between he and Milliner is very small. The one who works harder this summer may win this contest.

Final Verdict

Alabama has an enormous stockpile of young talent, and there are very good players not included on this list who may claw their way onto the field. The lack of bodies in the secondary could even force some position changes. 

The Tide also need to get more pressure on the quarterback. If the front line players can't get it done, we may see some lesser known names hit the field. Alabama signed some smaller, quicker defensive lineman who may get a shot if we are not getting the sacks we need.