ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE
2012 College Football Early Preview
OFFENSE - 7
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 5
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Marquis Maze-WR, Brandon Gibson-WR, Darius Hanks-WR, Brad Smelley-TE, Alfred McCullough-OT, William Vlachos-C, Trent Richardson-RB (NFL)
DEFENSE: Josh Chapman-NG, Nick Gentry-NG, Jerrell Harris-SLB, Courtney Upshaw-LB, DeQuan Menzie-CB, Mark Barron-FS, Dont'a Hightower-MLB (NFL), Dre Kirkpatrick-CB (NFL)
OT Barrett Jones
Offensive Line

The usual top quality ball carriers running behind an offensive line that loses just one starter automatically qualifies you as a national title contender.

Linebacker

Dont'a Hightower scooted for the NFL along with departed Courtney Upshaw, the heart of the defense needs retooled. Don't fret there is plenty of talent to go around, but these two rocked.

DB Robert Lester
* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic gauge for listing players that departed and players that received the most playing experience (consistent starters). NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance of missing personnel data not listed such as redshirts, transfers, injuries, incoming recruits, back ups and alternates. Their coverage will begin with our full 2012 Preseason Preview due out this coming spring.
ALABAMA 2012 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB A.J. McCarron-Jr Phillip Sims-So
RB Eddie Lacy-Jr Jalston Fowler-Jr
WR DeAndrew White-So Kevin Norwood-Jr
WR Kenny Bell-Jr Christian Jones-So
TE Michael Williams-Sr ..
TE Brian Vogler-So Harrison Jones-So
OT Barrett Jones-Sr ..
OG Chance Warmack-Sr ..
C .. ..
OG Anthony Steen-Jr ..
OT D.J. Fluker-Jr ..
K Jeremy Shelley-Sr Cade Foster-Jr
 
ALABAMA 2012 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
DEFENSE
DE Jesse Williams-Sr Quinton Dial-Sr
NG .. ..
DE Damion Square-Sr Ed Stinson-Jr
SLB Adrian Hubbard-So ..
MLB Trey DePriest-So ..
WLB Nico Johnson-Sr C.J. Mosley-Jr
JACK Xzavier Dickson-So ..
CB Dee Milliner-Jr John Fulton-Jr
CB .. ..
SS Robert Lester-Sr Vinnie Sunseri-So
FS Will Lowery-Sr HaHa Clinton-Dix-So
P Cody Mandell-Jr ..
QUICK TAKES

    12/21/11

  • Trent Richardson right, left and up the middle behind a veteran offensive line that shapes up to be the nation's best. Is anyone capable of stopping this?
  • “A complete package there,” Tennessee coach Derek Dooley says. “(Richardson) is obviously the key to what they do, but you’re not getting much of a letup when (Lacy) comes in.”
  • “Barrett Jones is one of the greatest people I’ve ever had the opportunity to be around,” head coach Nick Saban says about his four year starting tackle who is the top rated player at his position.
  • Safe passes and tight end targets have become the norm for this passing attack. Do they have enough confidence in McCarron this time around to let him do more and does McCarron share this confidence?
  • The Crimson Tide defense is solid all around, but it's the play of linebackers Upshaw and Hightower that allow the blitz packages to be so dominant. Despite having talent on this unit, losing both to the NFL would make for some tough shoes to fill.

 

ALABAMA 2012 SCHEDULE

Sept. 1 - Michigan @Arlington, TX
Sept. 8 - Western Kentucky
Sept. 15 - at Arkansas
Sept. 22 - Florida Atlantic
Sept. 29 - Mississippi
Oct. 13 - at Missouri
Oct. 20 - at Tennessee
Oct. 27 - Mississippi State
Nov. 3 - at Louisiana State
Nov. 10 - Texas A&M
Nov. 17 - Western Carolina
Nov. 24 - Auburn