Bama linebacker Ben Davis

[Bama1985]

Status of Bama linebacker Ben Davis--can he contribute?

[FONT=&quot]Of note with the linebackers: Ben Davis giving outside linebacker a try. Coming out of nearby Gordo High School, Davis was the No. 1 middle linebacker in 247 Sports' composite of recruiting rankings -- the No. 10 overall player in 2016.[/FONT]

http://www.al.com/alabamafootball/index.ssf/2017/03/how_alabamas_former_no_1_middl.html

 

[JessN]

Status of Bama linebacker Ben Davis--can he contribute?

[FONT="]Of note with the linebackers: Ben Davis giving outside linebacker a try. Coming out of nearby Gordo High School, Davis was the No. 1 middle linebacker in 247 Sports' composite of recruiting rankings -- the No. 10 overall player in 2016.[/FONT]

http://www.al.com/alabamafootball/index.ssf/2017/03/how_alabamas_former_no_1_middl.html

Likely not this year.

There have been other talented linebackers in the Saban era that took awhile to become contributors (most notably Reggie Ragland), and Davis is hopefully in that group.

Your ILBs for Georgia are Evans, Moses and Holcombe, no one else. McMillon and Cowan are roleplayers at SLB for different situations right now, but they'll play ILB against Mercer once Bama gets up 28.

The key guy is Mack Wilson. He'll be back for the playoffs. But if UA doesn't get by Auburn and Georgia both, there probably won't be any playoffs for Alabama this year. Wilson has virtually no chance to come back for AU, and would be limited against UGA.

 

[LA4Bama]

Status of Bama linebacker Ben Davis--can he contribute?

 

[Wilson Monroe]

I was just as excited about Davis coming in as I was about Wilson. I still haven't seen any explanation as to why he isn't a star in the making yet.

 

[AlexanderFan]

I was just as excited about Davis coming in as I was about Wilson. I still haven't seen any explanation as to why he isn't a star in the making yet.

Look at Jess's post. The light hasn't come in yet. Saban will play a physically less gifted player who doesn't have to think than he will an All American freak who hesitates on his assignments.


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[TheRealPokeChop]

Likely not this year.

There have been other talented linebackers in the Saban era that took awhile to become contributors (most notably Reggie Ragland), and Davis is hopefully in that group.

Your ILBs for Georgia are Evans, Moses and Holcombe, no one else. McMillon and Cowan are roleplayers at SLB for different situations right now, but they'll play ILB against Mercer once Bama gets up 28.

The key guy is Mack Wilson. He'll be back for the playoffs. But if UA doesn't get by Auburn and Georgia both, there probably won't be any playoffs for Alabama this year. Wilson has virtually no chance to come back for AU, and would be limited against UGA.

Jess do you think if Miller or Lewis are cleared for Auburn that Mosley can move inside for that game?

 

[JessN]

Jess do you think if Miller or Lewis are cleared for Auburn that Mosley can move inside for that game?

I think if Mosley was going to be tried inside, he'd be doing it this week. He has not worked there yet.

The one advantage to having Miller back for AU is that it would allow Evans to take a breather on passing downs rather than having to move down from ILB and play every snap. Otherwise, though, getting Miller and Lewis back does very little for Auburn, as Alabama will virtually never be in base. The killer loss is definitely Hamilton; Wilson is by far the second-biggest loss. Then Miller/Lewis. Miller would play a bigger role the following week against Georgia.

 

[gtgilbert]

Likely not this year.

There have been other talented linebackers in the Saban era that took awhile to become contributors (most notably Reggie Ragland), and Davis is hopefully in that group.

Your ILBs for Georgia are Evans, Moses and Holcombe, no one else. McMillon and Cowan are roleplayers at SLB for different situations right now, but they'll play ILB against Mercer once Bama gets up 28.

The key guy is Mack Wilson. He'll be back for the playoffs. But if UA doesn't get by Auburn and Georgia both, there probably won't be any playoffs for Alabama this year. Wilson has virtually no chance to come back for AU, and would be limited against UGA.

I don't see the parallel between Davis and Ragland at all. Ragland played ST his TF year, and as a soph he was getting rotation / mop up reps and was a major ST contributor. Davis isn't even running downfield to cover kicks.

Getting one or more of the OLBs back will help tremendously though. Even though we won't be in 'base' much against AU, having those guys being able to take reps for Jennings in nickel (he's been great on setting the edge, but the pass rush hasn't been there) and to provide the dual edge threat in dime (like Anderson and Williams last year) so we have more options on where and how to apply pressure. THird and long has been a major weakness at times this year, and having one of those guys in the dime package as edge rushers changes the game.

 

[bamamick]

From what I read Ben did not travel to Starkville, so the odds of him contributing against Auburn and then hopefully Georgia are not that good. I don't know how many travel to Atlanta, but aren't you limited to 65 for away conference games?

rtr

 

[4Q Basket Case]

Took a few years for Reuben Foster as well. But when the light finally came on, it was blinding. Hoping for the same with Davis.

 

[gtgilbert]

Took a few years for Reuben Foster as well. But when the light finally came on, it was blinding. Hoping for the same with Davis.

Yes, but Reuben was also playing ST as a freshman and getting mop up duty to get prepped for when his turn was to come.

 

[bamacon]

I️ the no losing Hamilton cost Bama the title last year. May very well do it again.


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[JustNeedMe81]

I️ the no losing Hamilton cost Bama the title last year. May very well do it again.


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Not necessary... If Mack hadn't got hurt.. mack would've been starting next to Evans... he played a lot beside Evans this year... When Mack comes back for playoff should we make it... we'll be okay.

 

[sanjosecrimson]

I️ the no losing Hamilton cost Bama the title last year. May very well do it again.


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actually losing Eddie Jackson hurt more against Clemson . Watson was picking the tired defense apart on that last drive. if we had Jackson, the possibility of a pass break up or interception goes up immensely.

 

[AlexanderFan]

Yes, but Reuben was also playing ST as a freshman and getting mop up duty to get prepped for when his turn was to come.

Doubt whatever information or opinion you want on this board, but realistically Jess's information and opinion would be one of the most trustworthy on your list.


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[RTR91]

Doubt whatever information or opinion you want on this board, but realistically Jess's information and opinion would be one of the most trustworthy on your list.


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His point is valid, though. There aren't any real comparisons to Ben Davis. Reggie, Rashaan, CJ, and Reuben all played as freshmen. Davis still hasn't played as a RS freshman, whether it be on ST or fourth string defense. That's troubling.

 

[JustNeedMe81]

His point is valid, though. There aren't any real comparisons to Ben Davis. Reggie, Rashaan, CJ, and Reuben all played as freshmen. Davis still hasn't played as a RS freshman, whether it be on ST or fourth string defense. That's troubling.

Valid point. Makes me think he's likely to transfer after season.

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[BamaMark.]

Valid point. Makes me think he's likely to transfer after season.

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Been thinking the same thing. I just can't imagine a 5 star recruit not being able to contribute on special teams in his second full year in the program.

 

[B1GTide]

Been thinking the same thing. I just can't imagine a 5 star recruit not being able to contribute on special teams in his second full year in the program.

Agreed, but set his star ranking aside for a second. If he has the athletic ability and puts in the work, he will be fine. But the main point is that he will not be able to help this year.

 

[JustNeedMe81]

I don't know why people associate the recruiting ranking with the player. Once they get to Alabama, it does not mean anything. Everyone starts over.