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With 12 starters gone off the lineup that started in the BCS National Championship game against LSU, Alabama would seem like an ideal place for incoming freshmen to step up and fill one of many vacancies.
However, when you consider players like former Crimson Tide stars like Trent Richardson and Dre Kirkpatrick—former 5-star talents that turned into All-Americans—played as true freshmen, but couldn’t crack the starting lineup in their first collegiate season.
While Alabama is bringing in the country’s top collection of incoming talent (via 247 Sports), a bumper crop of talented prospects—like linebackers Trey DePriest and Adrian Hubbard to name a few—from previous classes have gained experience as backups and are ready to transition into starting roles this fall.
Still, Nick Saban will not be reluctant to plug in a true freshman if their ability warrants them being on the field immediately....
Alabama lost both of its starting pass catchers from last season, and despite the presence of veterans like Kenny Bell and Kevin Norwood—Saban lured Amari Cooper and fellow Sunshine State product Chris Black as early enrollees to add an explosive element to their offensive attack....