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NCAA Football • 1 year ago

5 Alabama Crimson Tide Spring Practice Positional Battles to Watch In 2015

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Marvin Gentry - USA TODAY Sports

5 Alabama Crimson Tide Spring Practice Positional Battles to Watch In 2015

Nick Saban Alabama — For Alabama Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban, the spring is not just an evaluation period for his players, but more of a survival fest for players seeking to elevate their status and compete for a myriad of open positions on the depth chart. As spring practice is around the corner, here's a look at my top five Alabama position battles for 2015.

For Alabama Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban, the spring is not just an evaluation period for his players, but more of a survival fest for players seeking to elevate their status and compete for a myriad of open positions on the depth chart. As spring practice is around the corner, here's a look at my top five Alabama position battles for 2015.

5. Inside Linebacker

5. Inside Linebacker

The Saban years have featured great players at the ILB position from Rolando McClain, Dont'a Hightower and C.J. Mosley. Reggie Ragland appears primed to be that guy this year, but the other slot will feature a battle between the hard-hitting Reuben Foster and Shaun Dion-Hamilton. Foster, a five-star recruit, has the makings of a great player but needs to play faster within the system.

4. Safety

4. Safety

The safety position is as wide open as it has been in recent years, with three players now moving on in Landon Collins, Nick Perry and Jarrick Williams. This leaves the door open for up-and-comers Geno Smith, Jabriel Washington, Hootie Jones, and a host of eager young players looking to a make a mark in the spring in hopes of taking the top spot.

3. Wide Receiver

3. Wide Receiver

Amari Cooper vs. Florida Atlantc — When you lose a player of Amari Cooper's caliber, the first thought is to find someone who can possibly replace him in some capacity. DeAndrew White and Christion Jones are also no longer safety valves for the new quarterbacks to look to. The list is far too long to name, and that just goes to show how much will be at stake this spring.

When you lose a player of Amari Cooper's caliber, the first thought is to find someone who can possibly replace him in some capacity. DeAndrew White and Christion Jones are also no longer safety valves for the new quarterbacks to look to. The list is far too long to name, and that just goes to show how much will be at stake this spring.

2. Cornerback

2. Cornerback

No other position will be scrutinized as much as this one. The Tide can only relied on Cyrus Jones at one side as the left side was a revolving door of four players. This spring, that number will increase as even more players will look to take on the open spot. Fans will accept nothing less than a clear-cut starter opposite of Jones.

1. Quarterback

1. Quarterback

Jake Coker was the talk of last spring, and he wasn't even a part of the team. Now after serving as Blake Sims' backup, he will compete with fellow backups Cooper Bateman, David Cornwell, Alec Morris and blue chip QB Blake Barnett. This battle will be highly scrutinized to say the least.

Brandon Williams is an Atlanta Braves writer for www.RantSports.com. You can follow him on Twitter, @BfreshAlum4UA, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.

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