Alabama still loaded with talent

Submitted by umjgheitma on

I know Alabama lost quite a few great players to the draft this year however they still have so much high quality depth it's ridiculous. Dr. Saturday (Matt Hinton) has an article going over the recruiting classes of Alabama since 2008. 

Here's a few interesting quotes:

For the second year in a row, they went into Arizona for one of the nation's top juco players, cornerback Travell Dixon. Not only was no position neglected: With the surprise addition of Lynchburg, Va., defensive tackle Korren Kirven, there are at least two four or five-star players at every position except quarterback and tight end. (And yes, there's a kicker.)

 

By Rivals' count, it's 'Bama's fourth No. 1 class in five years under Saban, a spree that's now stacked the roster with an incredible 99 four- or five-star prospects since 2008 — 54 of whom, including the incoming class, remain on the prospective 2012 roster.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/another-another-mile-between-alabama-everyone-else-115805544.html;_ylt=AvZg9cJq7_.urMqwNVV3HytUYsp_;_ylu=X3oDMTE5azBvc2k2BG1pdANCbG9ncyBJbmRleARwb3MDMzQEc2VjA01lZGlhQmxvZ0luZGV4;_ylg=X3oDMTFvcGs0cnBnBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANibG9nBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25zBHRlc3QD;_ylv=3#more-id

1464

February 2nd, 2012 at 11:56 AM ^

Do you think I'm scared of 4 number 1 classes?  This year ALONE, we have the number 6 class.  Everybody knows that 6 is bigger than 4.  I'm feeling a lot more confident now...

DrWolverine23

February 2nd, 2012 at 11:57 AM ^

Victory will be that much sweeter........Denard's always had a thing for the first game of the season haha. *Steps outside of maize and blue bubble* *look at Bamas roster, step back into maize and blue bubble* 

lunchboxthegoat

February 2nd, 2012 at 12:02 PM ^

This just in: water is wet!

 

I kid and all, but yea everyone saying "BUT THEY HAVE TO REPLACE ELEVENTY STARTERS NEXT YEAR" is delusional. They're replacing their eleventy starters with eleventy four and five star players. We have a shot to beat them...but it certainly won't be easy. They'll be ranked top 5 next preseason. 

Bronson

February 2nd, 2012 at 12:15 PM ^

 Yes, I'm sure no shady tactics or illicit dealings were at all involved in obtaining those 99 players.  No no, Nick Saban is totally above-board, a real player's coach, almost Hoke-esque you could say.  Not a football factory down there in Alabama, no, not at all.  I mean, who doesn't want to live in the cultural hotbed that is Tuscaloosa, Alabama for four years?  And get their degree from such a top flight educational institution?  No wonder it's become the new "It" school.  Makes all the sense in the world.  Am I right?  Guys?  Guys...

 

 

JimLahey

February 2nd, 2012 at 12:17 PM ^

We have talent at certain positions that can match up with theirs, the problem is that they have elite talent EVERYWHERE. It's going to be extremely hard to hang with them for 60 minutes.

snoopblue

February 2nd, 2012 at 12:17 PM ^

No doubt Alabama is talented. We are going to have to outsmart them and take advantage of the fact they have a new offensive coordinator and new players in the game playing defense. 

You look at the top 10 recruiting classes (on all services) - Alabama, Ohio State & Notre Dame are all there. That's a daunting schedule but it works out very well if you take a look.

Date Opponent
Sept. 1 vs. Alabama (Arlington, Texas)
Sept. 8 AIR FORCE
Sept. 15 MASSACHUSETTS
Sept. 22 at Notre Dame
Sept. 29 Bye Week
Oct. 6 at Purdue*
Oct. 13 ILLINOIS* (HC)
Oct. 20 MICHIGAN STATE*
Oct. 27 at Nebraska*
Nov. 3 at Minnesota*
Nov. 10 NORTHWESTERN*
Nov. 17 IOWA*
Nov. 24 at Ohio State*
Dec. 1 Big Ten Championship Game

 

sheepdog

February 2nd, 2012 at 12:19 PM ^

And how has Alabama faired in it's first 'big' game of the year the last few years?

W 27-11 on 9/10/2011 @ #23 Penn State

W 27-11 on 9/11/2010 vs #18 Penn State

W 34-24 on 9/5/2009 @ #7 Va Tech

W 34-10 on 8/30/2008 vs #9 Clemson

Alabama reloads, plays a lot of players in its rotation, and Saban does a good job of preparing over long layoffs.

Howeva, Hoke and Co has proven (with limited sample size) that it prepares well for big games.  We shall see.

JeepinBen

February 2nd, 2012 at 12:26 PM ^

In 5 years Saban has signed 99 4* + players. Wow! He only signed 1 player who wasn't a 4 star! see, because the NCAA has a limit of 25 players per year. And, beyond that, he has to stay below 85 scholarship athletes... wait, what?

 

Of course he has great classes. He cheats kids out of their education and cuts them like it's MLB spring training. What will be interesting is his NEXT 5 years, how many kids are still on the roster, etc. He should do well, they just won a MNC-SEC West Title Game. But to overlook the numbers is just stupid.

mGrowOld

February 2nd, 2012 at 12:38 PM ^

And yet we have to sweat out the results of Devon's medical redshirt application for yet another year.  Whatever forms they are submitting we ought to get a copy or two and use them.  Seems like they know how to beat the system pretty consistently.

JeepinBen

February 2nd, 2012 at 1:01 PM ^

We're trying to get Devin a medical hardship for an extra year of eligibility. Saban uses medical scholarships to kick kids off the team. They are legit (see Antonio Bass) for players who suffer career ending injuries. It means the AD can keep them on scholarship, and not cost the football team any roster spots. But while most programs averaged 1 career-ending injury in the graph above, Saban gave 12 kids the "you're off the team, but can still keep a scholarship because you've suffered a 'career ending injury'" treatment. It's a way to cut kids but keep them from talking.

blacknblue

February 2nd, 2012 at 12:31 PM ^

If Alabama was allowed to put 95 guys on the field at one time we wouldn't have a chance. Lucky for us both teams are only allowed 11 players at a time, that should allow us to put up a good fight.

brandanomano

February 2nd, 2012 at 12:39 PM ^

Denard is going to have to have a career day against them for us to even have a chance, and our defense needs to get some turnovers. The d-line needs to play like last year's did, which is improbable because of all the new starters. We'll have an improved back 7, so we should be alright back there considering Bama's offense shouldn't be anything spectacular. I'm really worried about our O-line without Molk, and our recieving core is unproven. Let's hope our guys are working their asses off this offseason.

ForeverVoyaging

February 2nd, 2012 at 12:47 PM ^

Alabama's whole offense is built around a dominant O-line that keys a power rushing game. The back 7 aren't going to be much help if our D-line is getting destroyed every play.

As for Denard against their defense, well I think we can all imagine how that's going to go.

While I'd love to see Michigan win, I'm not sure how people are predicting anything but a double digit rout in favor of Alabama.

ShruteBeetFarms

February 2nd, 2012 at 12:41 PM ^

"There are at least two four or five star palyers at every position except quarterback and TIGHT END"

So we've discovered Bama's achilles heel, or chink in their armor! We've got this game in the bag.

/s

Blue In NC

February 2nd, 2012 at 12:49 PM ^

This is concerning to me.  I was previously under the impression that Alabama would have no talent and that only 2* players would be in the two deep.  I am TOTALLY SHOCKED by all of this!

bronxblue

February 2nd, 2012 at 1:02 PM ^

My issue with Alabama has always been that when someone says they have 99 4* and 5* kids (or whatever the number is), it ignores the fact that 5-10 lower-rated kids get cut a year to make room for them.  I know it sounds like a broken record, but Alabama historically recruited well until Saban arrived, but they (and really, most of the SEC) didn't do nearly as well as they have the past decade or so in their history.  You can point to population changes, demographic shifts, financial incentives, etc., but when you get 5 recruits for every 4 your opposition signs, that's a major advantage.

bighouseinmate

February 2nd, 2012 at 1:33 PM ^

54 out of 99 four and five star players are still on the roster. While that is telling as far as the level of talent Saban is bringing in to Bama, it is also VERY telling as far as the numbers of players he cuts due to some reason or another if they haven't panned out. And yes, I understand that some of that 45 player difference is due to players only there four years(the 99 was counted since 2008), and yes, I understand that some of that 45 player difference is due to guys like Richardson who leave for the pros early. However, my guess is that the bulk of that 45 player difference cannot be attributed to four-year only players or players leaving early for the draft. It would be interesting to see a complete breakdown of those 45 players and where they are now, including how they got there.

beachbum69

February 4th, 2012 at 10:15 PM ^

Alabama lost several players to (the first round of) the NFL draft after they demolished MSU and look where they finished this year.  Just saying.  

 

I don't know how anyone stops that kind of machine.