Alabama Football: Duron Carter's Potential Impact for the Tide

Duron Carter. No name has generated more talk among Alabama fans leading up to the 2011 season. 

Since Carter, the son of former NFL wide receiver Cris Carter, committed to play for the Tide in April, expectations have been high. Many believed he had a chance to start while helping to fill part of the void left by Julio Jones.

But when summer classes began, he wasn’t there. When fall camp began, he wasn’t there. Now, classes have started. Guess what, he isn’t there. 

Assuming Carter's academics are cleared up, he can still enroll and play football for Alabama this fall. As for him making a major impact this season, that chance may have passed.

Alabama is about to make a transition. As the Tide enters game week, the focus will shift to game preparation. 

Like most coaches, Nick Saban must decide which players are going to be contributors on his football team this fall.

If Carter does become eligible, what can be expected of him? Practice won’t slow down while he learns the playbook and builds rhythm with the quarterbacks. Alabama has other things to worry about.

Carter has an uphill battle ahead. In the midst of a season, the coaches won’t have time to put him through his own fall camp. Pushing past Marquis Maze, Darius Hanks and possibly DeAndrew White will be difficult.  

At this point Carter’s one saving grace may be his size. At 6'5", he brings the height the rest of the receiving corps lacks. Getting a few snaps in the red-zone may be the best fans can hope for this season. 

Undoubtedly, this will come as a major disappointment for so many that had high hopes for Carter. He may be talented, but the time he missed will be too much to overcome. 

Could he score a couple of touchdowns this season? Absolutely. However, any hopes of an All-SEC season are best to be forgotten.