Alabama 2011 Football Recruiting: Which Recruits Could Start in 2011?

Alabama signed arguably the very best recruiting class in 2011, and the future members list for the Crimson Tide looks like a high-school football All-Star team.

Nick Saban proved once again that he is one of the best recruiters in college football and has Alabama poised to make another BCS and SEC title run.

Yet, Alabama's current roster is not lacking in talent by any means. Aside from this past 2011 class, Saban has signed some of the very best high-school recruiting classes since he came to Tuscaloosa in 2007. This 2011 class will have to fight, claw and compete with current Tide players just for ample playing time—let alone a starting position.

Which incoming recruits have an inside track to definitely see the field for Alabama in 2011?

5. Aaron Douglas, LT

Douglas hails form the JC ranks in Yuma, Arizona. At 6'6", 290 pounds, the Tide offensive coaches see him as a great left tackle prospect that can ultimately play all along the offensive line. Douglas is a solid athlete with good technique and bend.

Playing in the JC ranks for a good program at Arizona Western, Douglas has gotten a sniff of what the speed of college ball is like after transferring from Tennessee.

He will battle Tyler Love and Al McCullough for the job, with McCullough figuring to be the incumbent starter. McCullough is a bit undersized for left tackle at only 6'2", 310 pounds and could be better suited to kick inside to guard. Douglas has the length and wingspan to wash SEC rushers out of the pocket with ease.

4. Malcolm Faciane, TE

Faciane is in the same mold of Michael Williams for Alabama. A big, thick tight end at 6'6", 265 pounds that can serve as an extra blocker to seal up the pocket. I wouldn't rule out a move to defensive line for Faciane either. Yet his hands and strike zone speed may be too good to move from tight end.

Alabama runs a lot of two-tight-end sets, and their passing game is based off of play-action. Faciane's athletic ability could serve him well and have him seeing more time than expected come the fall, as he could add a speed dimension at the tight end spot for the Tide.

He will be involved in battles with Williams and Brad Smelley for balls thrown his way.

3. Marvin Shinn, WR

In NFL Draft circles, the talk is that AJ Green is the best receiver in the draft—rated a bit higher than Julio Jones. But coming out of high school, I actually had Jones a bit higher than Green. Both went on to have great college careers, as Jones became Alabama's go-to receiver during his tenure in Tuscaloosa.

Now the Tide has to replace him and the field is wide open.

That is why I think the 6'3", 180-pound Shinn could come in and catch a couple balls as a true freshman. He's already the second-tallest receiver on the roster and his leaping ability in the red zone could make him an attractive option for the Alabama offense when they're sniffing blood.

Shinn has solid deep speed and hands, along with tremendous length to place him right in the thick of the race to replace Julio Jones among Marquis Maze, Darius Hanks, Brandon Gibson, Kevin Norwood and others.

2. Dee Hart, RB/Returns

Hart is dynamic with the football and he showed he could do it against anybody by dazzling in the US Army game.

The Tide likes to run multiple backs to keep their rock-toters fresh 'n' funky to annoy defenses all game long. Trent Richardson becomes "The Man" with the departure of Mark Ingram, and he will need to find a Robin to his Batman.

Hart could be that guy, as he is already on campus, taking classes and working out in spring ball. He'll duel with Eddie Lacy, Dee Goode and Corey Grant for carries, but look for Hart to emerge.

Also, Hart could get his feet wet as a return man in both the kickoff and punt return units. He's the type of player that is too dynamic to have sitting on the bench without a role.

1. Jesse Williams, NT

6'4", 330 pounds, Williams is the best incoming JC recruit in the country. He will be an immediate starter for the Crimson Tide in their 30 front base defensive set, likely in the zero-technique/shaded-one technique nose tackle position.

Williams is not just a big guy that leans on offensive linemen; he has a motor like a speedy defensive end. He's strong on his feet, can sit and anchor against singles and doubles and he makes a mess inside on the regular. Williams can push the pocket by walking centers back and gobble up passers as a rusher.

Josh Chapman, Nick Gentry and Brandon Moore are all very good players and will all have something to say about Williams climbing over them on the depth chart. This should be one of the most intriguing battles in the SEC and Williams certainly has the talent, size and skill set to win it.