Alabama Football: Sleeper Safety Vinnie Sunseri About to Make Big Splash

The news is in: Will Lowery, Alabama's best backup safety and a walk-on, tore his ACL in the game against Georgia Southern. According to ESPN, he will miss the rest of the year.  Who will take his place as the primary nickelback?

In all likelihood it will be none other than Vinnie Sunseri, a young man who fans have grown to adore. 

Sunseri's special teams play has been outstanding.  He's been seen numerous times going Superman-style through the air, either throwing a block or tackling the opposing return man.  He has 24 total tackles, despite being used almost exclusively on special teams.

Vinnie arrived at the Capstone as a largely forgettable recruit.  He was a linebacker in high school, but at 6'0" (a generous measurement) and 200 lbs., he was clearly undersized for what Nick Saban wanted in his linebackers and was moved to safety.  

His father, Sal Sunseri, is the Tide's linebacker coach under Nick Saban.  Many wondered if signing Vinnie was just a favor to Sal.  

It didn't take Vinnie long to put that rumor to rest.  The kid is a football player.  When you see the way he attacks the ball on special teams, you can't help but think of Vince Papale (especially since everyone has seen Disney's Invincible). 

Vinnie had a stellar high school career, including over 100 tackles his senior year.  He has a nose for the ball.  The only thing keeping him from a five-star ranking was his size.  

Will Lowery's injury is very unfortunate. He is a fourth-year walk-on at the University of Alabama; as a major contributor during regular play and special teams, he may be missing out on a chance to play in the national championship.  He didn't play in any games in 2009.  

On a personal note, Will Lowery is my favorite player on the team.  He's the Tide's Rudy (or Vince Papale).  He has the heart of a champion, despite his relatively tiny frame—particularly in comparison to his teammates.  

Alabama is a recruiting powerhouse. The fact that he got the nod to start for Mark Barron in last year's Capital One Bowl speaks volumes.  

There's a chance Nick Saban may put five-star recruit Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix in for Lowery, but he is Robert Lester's primary backup.  I believe Vinnie will get the nickelback duties.  

The Iron Bowl—and hopefully the BCS National Championship Game—will be great opportunities for us, as fans, to further witness the prowess of Vinnie Sunseri.  

It will be exciting. The odds are that Robert Lester will enter the NFL draft early, and Mark Barron is a senior and will be in the draft as well.  We will likely be seeing next year's starter.

I would love to see Will Lowery as one of the starting safeties next year, but Vinnie and Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix could be the future there.  It will basically boil down to whether Saban wants experience or talent and size in his secondary.

Remember:  Raw talent and size in lieu of experience didn't work out so well for the Tide secondary in 2010. 

Will Lowery will be a fifth-year senior next year and will be far and away the most experienced safety on the team.  He may win the starting position next year, but while he's resting and recovering, Tide fans can expect Vinnie Sunseri to blow some people up en route to their 14th national title.