Meet the 2015 Alabama Recruits

Meet the 2015 Alabama Recruits

by Cole Thompson

 

TUSCALOOSA– Well, it’s finally here, a day filled with joy an excitement throughout the country. a day where teams get to have their own special Christmas and feel like they are one of a kind. A special day where kids across the country will make the biggest decision of their young lives. Of course I’m talking about National Signing Day and the 2015 class was no different.

Alabama, who has won their fifth consecutive recruiting title, made no mistakes coming into today. Every position that Head coach Nick Saban felt was weak was addressed for the 2015 season. Some recruits very last minute decided to go to change their minds and go somewhere else while others made fans sit at a television while they paraded out their gag gifts to picks somewhere else. The fact of the matter is the Alabama Crimson Tide will more then likely win their eighth consecutive recruiting title.

Not every recruit who chose to repressed The Capstone is a 5 star nor is every prospect guaranteed a chance to start their freshman season. In fact, in the coach Saban era he has never elected to start a freshman quarterback and has been hesitant on the front lines as well. Still, fans deserve to know who decided to call Tuscaloosa their home, so lets take a look at several of the top recruits for the 2015 Season.

 

BLAKE BARNETT  (ESPN #1 PP QB) 

 

Hometown: Santiago, California

Height: 6’5

Weight: 200

40: 4.85

Rating: 5 star prospect

If there was ever a quarterback for Alabama fans to drool over in the past decade, Blake Barnett is the one you should use a napkin to clean up with. Barnett is the prototypical NFL prospect quarterback  in today’s day in age. His size allows his to move in the pocket without feeling flustered and his arm strength can be compared to a cannon. While he might have to put some weight on him, he is just the type of quarterback Alabama needs to possibly repeat the dynasty talk again.

There is a chance Barnett could see the playing field at some point in the season but it’s highly unlikely he will get the starting job. Even though Jake Coker is the favorite to take over for Blake Sims, he was also the favorite to beat Sims after AJ McCarron left for the NFL. Anything is possible this season but it is more then likely Barnett isn’t the favorite when Wisconsin meets the Tide in Dallas this August. Make no mistake, Barnett with a year of holding the clipboard could be the best thing for him.

 

KENDALL SHEFFIELD (ESPN #3 CB)  

Hometown: Missouri City, Texas

Height: 6’0

Weight: 180

40: 4.48

Rating:  5 Star prospect

Alabama has been weary at the defensive back position for the last two season but now have no more excuses. After getting two of the top corner backs in Marlon Humphrey and Tony Brown in the 2014 class, the Tide managed to get a steal with Kendall Sheffield from Houston Texas in the 2015 class. Sheffield shows a resemblance to Alabama great Dee Milliner on his electrifying speed as well as his ability to jump on the ball for an easy interception. He will be big for the Tide in years to come.

On top of everything mentioned above,  Sheffield has the ability to be a day one starter at the nickel position in 2015. His size puts him at a close to perfect nickel corner in today’s college football and with the injuries to Eddie Jackson and Bradley Slyve, he could easily find his way on the field in 2015. If Sheffield can impress new defensive back coach Mel Tucker, Brown and Humphrey might be waiting another year before they even see the field.

 

CALVIN RIDLEY (ESPN #1 WR)

Hometown; Coconut Creek, Florida

Height: 6’1

Weight: 169

40: 4.65

Rating: 4 star prospect

Calvin Ridley may be only a four star athlete, but he is without a doubt the top receiver in this recruiting class. An almost exact replica of Amari Cooper, Ridley brings speed and athleticism that Cooper will take with him to the NFL. Like many other recovers on the Alabama offense, Ridley brings his special type of “pazazz” that will make him stand out in the next level.

While Ridley may be talented, he does have a few other receivers blocking his path. Of course Ardarius Stewart and Chris Black will be the favorites to replace DeAndrew White and Amari Cooper in Lane Kiffin’s offense, but then the slot receiver is a toss up. Kiffin could go with Robert Foster or even Cam Sims, but there still is a possibility for Ridley to find his way on the field in a starting role. Personally, the best case scenario will be one like Stewart was last year, he’ll make some plays here and there but nothing crazy special.

 

 

DAMIEN HARRIS  (ESPN #2 RB)

Hometown:Berea, Kentucky

Height: 5’11

Weight: 205

40: 4.40

Rating: 4 Star Prospect

Blake Barnett considers himself “Recruiter of the Year” by adding Damien Harris to the Tide’s offense, and he should definitely be proud of that. Harris was the the most dominant athlete in the state of Kentucky and could have gone to top programs such as Ohio St, Florida and Florida State. Harris is that of a smaller Mark Ingram with size but not just explosiveness but as well as a quick step up the field. A great replacement for TJ Yeldon in the upcoming season.

Harris’ playing time will be based on the health of the running back position in general. Alabama will give most of the carries to Derrick Henry this season while Kenyan Drake and Tyren Jones will split time as third down backs. If one of them go own, or if Alabama continues to demolish teams in the second half, Harris will have his chance to shine and move to first string with the departures of Drake and more then probable Henry.

 

Minkah Fitzpatrick (ESPN #4 CB)    

Hometown: Jersey City, New Jersey

Height: 6’1

Weight: 196

40: 4.54

Rating: 4 star prospect

The duo of corners seems to be a familiar thing in draft classes but the tag team of Minkah Fitzpatrick and Kendall Sheffield might out way the last pair. While Sheffield can jump on the ball, Fitzpatrick might be the better coverage corner. His arm span and ability to flip his hips gives him an advantage, not to mention he is one of the taller corners in this class.

Fitzpatrick might have to wait for a small period before getting on the field playtime. His weight concerns might be brought up after he arrives onto campus, but there’s more then that. Fitzpatrick will have to fight with Brown, Sheffield and Humphrey for playing time this season with the return of senior Cyrus Jones. However, if he isn’t redshirted, Fitzpatrick’s wingspan might give him an advantage.

 

DEIONTE THOMPSON (ESPN #3 Safety)

Hometown: Orange, Texas

Height: 6’1

Weight: 175

40: 4.71

Ranking: 4 Star Prospect

When you lose the top safety in the nation, it’s nice to have a top ranked prospect to take his place. Deionte Thompson, the first commit to this Class will have big shoes to fill as he not only was one of the best players in Texas but one of the best safeties in the country. Built like Robert Lester, Thompson has the ability to be a great cover free safety for Alabama in the near future.

Thompson might be one of the best players to get a chance to get playing time this season as a freshman. The position itself is already weak with the departures of Jarrick Williams and Nick Perry, but he also will be the most experienced player. Thompson is already enrolled in classes which gives him more chance to learn the playbook. If he can gain a few pounds in the weight room, coach Smart might be calling his number sooner then he thinks.

 

ADONIS THOMAS (ESPN #5 OLB)

Hometown: Lawrenceville, Georgia

Height: 6’4

Weight: 219

40. N/A

Rating: four star recruit

Alabama made a splash sign with the arrival of Adonis Thomas. The strong outside linebacker will be huge in the years to come with the disappearance of Denzel Duvall after next season. The four star shined in the Under-Armour All American game this past season where he decided to make his decision. After a 124 tackle senior season, there is major hope for Thomas in the future.

While Thomas may be a splash signing, he’s rough around the edges. After spending his high school career as an inside linebacker, he’ll have to learn to play outside before he can even get on the field. While the transition shouldn’t take forever, he still has guys such as Ryan Anderson, Dillion Lee and Rashaan Evans ahead of him. His time will come but more then likely he’ll just be on the special teams this season.

 

BRANDON KENNEDY (ESPN #5 OG)

Hometown: Wetumpka, Alabama

Height: 6’3

Weight: 286

40: 5.28

Rating: 4 star recruit

The offensive guard may not be as glamorius or fan favorite as the tackle, but Alabama might have found a replacement for Arie Kouandjio in Brandon Kennedy. Kennedy, a native of Alabama has been regard as one of the best interior lineman in the country and proved it by starting at guard for the last three season. As being one of the best players in the state, Alabama of course was a perfect fit.

Kennedy’s situation is a tricky one. While coach Saban has been known for sitting freshman for a year, it’s hard to pass up a kid like Kennedy. He’s an early enrollee like Cam Robinson was, he’s played guard his entire life and that position is weak enough already. If Robinson can step in immediately and give his team a chance, Kennedy might be the perfect fit next to Ryan Kelley next season.

 

DAYLON CHARLOT (ESPN #8 WR)

Hometown: Patterson, Louisiana

Height: 6’0

Weight: 193

40: N/A

Rating: 4 star recruit

 

The rich keep getting richer as Alabama managed to steal another player away from LSU with Daylon Charlot. Charlot is what some experts would call a “perfect” slot receiver. His 6 foot statue makes him small enough to slip past linebackers but his speed is what will turn a 6 yard slant into a 15 yard gain. Charlot has the opportunity to thrive as Alabama’s next great slot wide out.

Here’s the issue, there are way too many recovers ahead of this kid for Charlot to see the field this year. While the second best wide receiver recruit usually isn’t red shirt (i.e. Chris Black was a higher rated receiver then Amari Cooper), Ridley’s performance in the Under Armour game was too good to pass up. Charlot might find himself redshirted for a season before he actually gets a chance to play.

 

LESTER COTTON (#8 OG)

Hometown: Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Height: 6’4

Weight: 328

40: 5.34

Rating: 4 star recruit

Lester Cotton might be the favorite pickup by the Tuscaloosa fans this year. A native from the town where less then a mile away Bryant Denny Stadium lies, Cotton thrived for the Falcons of Central High School. Built like an offensive tackle but as a guard, Cotton is versatile at where he can play in the future.When Cotton could have gone to programs like Louisville, LSU or Mississippi St, he decided to stay right at home.

Cotton will more then limey have one of two things happen to him. He will either shed some weight and transition to the guard position nicely, or and more probable, lose the fat and move to offensive tackle. With Cam Robinson handling the left side well, the right tackle position just opened. While it’s a long shot, don’t count Lester Cotton out of a starting job next season on the line.

 

DALLAS WARMACK (ESPN #18 OG)

Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia

Height: 6’2

Weight: 306

40: 5:54

Rating: 4 star prospect

You might as well keep it in the family as Chance Warmack’s little brother, Dallas finally has made his way onto campus. The protege of the once great Alabama offensive lineman shows resemblance to his older brother. He has the size and all around agility like Chance, but the work ethic we’ll have to wait and see. All around, Warmack is another great pickup for the Tide’s offensive line.

Warmack is already on campus but that probably won’t help his chances that much. He will need time to develop into a guard under coach Saban and although he’ll have reps under his belt, we’re more then limey a year away before Dallas will step foot on the field. However, starter things have happened in the past so don’t be shocked to see Dallas playing in Dallas against Wisconsin (fun pun right there)

 

RONNIE HARRISON (ESPN #25 Safety)

Hometown: Tallahassee, Florida

Height: 6’2

Weight: 196

40: 4.82

Rating: 4 star prospect

Although there are at least a dozen more recruits, Ronnie Harrison rounds off our list as the final recruit of Alabama. Harrison, a two-way player in high school has the ability to replace Vinnie Sensuri and Landon Collins as the next great strong safety. He’s a little under weight but his heigh is just what Alabama is looking for in a hard hitting safety. Harrison may move back to the other side of the ball one day but for now, he should be looking at his chance to shine on saturday’s under Kirby Smart.

Harrison, like Thompson is already on campus getting reps in and building himself up to be the next great Alabama safety. His main issue will be competing with rising sophomore Laurence “Hootie” Jones for playing time next year. While Harrison has the ability to shine, he still will need a year to pan out before really becoming a house hold name. In 2016 however, don’t be shocked to see a Landon Collins/Vinnie Sunseri repeat with Harrison and Jones.

 

Cole Thompson is the Alabama Lead Writer for WVUA-FM. Follow him on Twitter at @ColeThompson32