2009
James Carpenter
Position: LT
Hometown: Augusta, Ga.
JUCO: Coffeyville CC
At Alabama: With the graduation of first-round pick Andre Smith, Alabama's biggest hole entering the 2009 season was at left tackle. So Carpenter stepped right in and won the job in spring practice. The quiet lineman kept the job protecting Greg McElroy's blindside for two seasons. He started 27 straight games and was first-team All-SEC according to league coaches in his senior season.
After Alabama: A draft-night surprise, Carpenter became the only JUCO transfer picked in the first round when Seattle selected him 25th overall in 2011. In his third season this fall, Carpenter started 10 of the 16 games in which he appeared while winning the Super Bowl.
Interesting.