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2004 RECRUITING WRAPUP:
BAMA FILLS MOST NEEDS
WHO WILL PLAY AND WHEN?
by Jess Nicholas
February 9, 2004

Six months ago, when Alabama coaches were about to embark on their first recruiting season as a group, few Alabama fans believed the Tide’s final haul would resemble anything other than what its last two seasons had looked like – a lot of solid players surrounded by a host of lesser-known prospects who would need substantial coaching to reach their college potential.

Instead, Mike Shula delivered a class that ranks solidly within the nation’s top 15 recruiting classes, and fills most of the needs from which probation-riddled Alabama suffers. Grouping the signees by their positions, we take a look at how the Tide fared in the 2003-04 recruiting game.

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Will definitely play

1)  Chris Turner, DT: Junior college player who will be expected to start from day one.

Will almost certainly play

2)  Marcus Carter, S: Lack of depth in the secondary means Carter will need to come to Tuscaloosa ready to go.

3)  Lorenzo Washington, DT: With Turner a possibility to play end and a lack of playmakers on the roster, Washington will likely get an opportunity to show his stuff.

4)  *Nikita Stover, WR: The top prospect from the state of Alabama, Stover will almost certainly play if he is able to report in August.

Will likely play

5)  Simeon Castille, CB: With the graduation of Roberto McBride and David Scott, Alabama needs another cornerback to enter the playing rotation. Castille will compete with redshirt Eric Gray for the role.

6)  Trent Davidson, TE: David Cavan will start at tight end for Alabama, but health has always been an issue. Backups Greg McLain and Clint Johnston have also been injured more than once before.

7)  *Aaron Johns, RB: Johns could make an impact as a kick returner, slot receiver or running back. With Alabama lacking a breakaway speed threat at running back, Johns could be the go-to guy.

8)  *Brandon Fanney, DE: If qualified – which is an admitted longshot – Alabama will need at least one of its defensive end signees to contribute as a freshman.

9)  *Kevin Hamilton, DE: Like Fanney, Hamilton must first make his grades. If he does, he will probably play as a freshman.

10) Keith Brown, WR: If Stover doesn’t qualify, Brown is almost a shoe-in to see playing time. Even if Stover does make the grades, Brown’s presence would add pop to a thin wide receiver corps.

Up in the air

11) D.J. Hall, WR: Hall’s playing depends partly on Nikita Stover’s situation and partly on his own health. Hall was injured for part of last year and may also take a redshirt year to fill out his frame.

12) Travis Robinson, CB: Robinson could make his first contribution as a kick returner. It is more likely, however, that he’ll redshirt unless injuries touch Alabama’s secondary.

13) Curtis Dawson, LB: Dawson could see playing time at either middle linebacker or defensive end, but a redshirt year would do wonders for his development.

14) Travis McCall, FB/DE: Depending on his eventual position, McCall could be in for a definite redshirt or some definite playing time. If he starts out at fullback, look for McCall to get early work with Tim Castille moving to tailback.

15) Antoine Caldwell, C/G: Most offensive linemen redshirt in their first year, but Alabama’s line is thin and Caldwell’s versatility could land him some early playing time, particularly if returning center J.B. Closner continues to struggle.

Will probably redshirt

16) Justin Britt, G/DL: Britt’s best chance for early playing time is on offense, particularly if Travis West and Justin Moon are slow to acclimate themselves to SEC play. A starting guard slot is open and Britt could be the man to fill it.

17) Will Oakley, WR: Oakley is likely to make an impact before his time is up at Alabama, but with Brown, Hall and Stover likely ahead of him in the wide receiver pecking order, bet on a redshirt year unless qualifying and injury troubles dictate otherwise.

18) B.J. Stabler, OL: Even though Alabama needs help on the offensive line, Stabler is raw and probably needs a year of seasoning at least.

19) Marcel Stamps, LB: Stamps may not even be a part of the August reporting group, but if he does not grayshirt and instead arrives with this class, he could become an early fixture on special teams or as a pass rusher.

Will almost certainly redshirt/grayshirt

20) Nick Walker, TE: With Davidson ahead of him, Walker will probably take the year to gain strength in the weightroom.

21) Ezekiel Knight, WR: Knight is another potential two-way player, and he could use this year to develop his body and decide just which position is best for him.

22) Cody Davis, T: Alabama’s tackle depth is sufficient and Davis’ need for a redshirt year outweighs the benefits of him playing in 2004.

23) Aaron McDaniel, WR: McDaniel needs much weightroom work, making a redshirt necessary.

24) *Jeramie Holifield, DE: Qualifying is a big issue for Holifield, as well as a needed adjustment to the speed of SEC play.

25) John Parker Wilson, QB: Not only is Wilson a grayshirt candidate, most incoming quarterbacks redshirt and Alabama has sufficient depth ahead of him.

26) Drew Davis, G/T: Davis is a likely grayshirt candidate who will need weightroom time regardless.

27) Jake Wingo, S/LB: Wingo will almost certainly redshirt to spend time in the weightroom.

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