Rod Woodson to be this years D. Hightower?

[bnhonest]

I must confess, I have not watched film onall of our recent commits. But I had seen this guys film last summer when he committed to us. As I watched his hghlights last year, I wondered what the opposing players had said about his mother to cause him to get so mad.

I think he is my favorite commit. I am hoping he qualifies.

 

[Alasippi]

I'd look for him to be a major contributor on special teams. Guys that aggressive provide great kick-off and punt coverage.

There's also a possibility, because of his aggressiveness, that they could redshirt him, beef him up about 20 pounds and move him to an outside backer position. With Woodall coming back, and Barron waiting in the wings, strong safety is pretty set for at least three years I think.

 

[CaliforniaTide]

Mark Barron impressed me more this year, I think he's the real deal. If we didn't have Rashad Johnson playing safety, I think you would have seen much more of Mark Barron on the field. By the end of the year, he was in the mix, I think, because he just couldn't be left off the field. he's going to be a head hunter. I always get confused on which safety is which, free or strong, but it would be nice if both Barron and Woodson were on the field together, but if they both play the same position, I think it will be hard for someone to come in and unseat Barron. He's had a year and a spring in the safety spot, he'll be on the field, of course, that's what so great about having depth, you never know what competition will bring out in people.

Barron was on the field and culprit to one of Utah's early TDs in the Sugar Bowl, he got completely turned around. I know he was only a true freshman, but I hope that he can get his coverage skills more up to speed. He did lay some serious hits doing kickoff coverage though during the season.

 

[Alasippi]

Barron was on the field and culprit to one of Utah's early TDs in the Sugar Bowl, he got completely turned around. I know he was only a true freshman, but I hope that he can get his coverage skills more up to speed. He did lay some serious hits doing kickoff coverage though during the season.

Barron's a player. If he didn't show up against Utah please don't single him out. Nobody else showed up either.

I can't think of one decent performance on either side of the ball.

But it was to expected. We had just lost our chance to play for the national title and we were playing Utah.

No way for the kids to be fired up. And it showed.

 

[Alasippi]

It's not really fair to make these kinds of comparisons but Woodson reminds me a lot of Bob Sanders and Troy Polamalu. If his coverage skills ever catch up to his run stopping capability he'll be a dominant force IMHO. Even if he only develops adequate coverage skills he'll still be a heck of player though.

That's why I say we might beef him up 20 pounds and make him an outside backer.
A hitter at OLB with strong safety coverage skills.
Sounds good to me.

 

[BEATtutorsee]

That's why I say we might beef him up 20 pounds and make him an outside backer.
A hitter at OLB with strong safety coverage skills.
Sounds good to me.

Well if his coverage skills are up to snuff (yet to be determined) you can just about forget moving him to LB IMHO. His height would concern me a bit at OLB anyway.

 

[silentsam74]

Well if his coverage skills are up to snuff (yet to be determined) you can just about forget moving him to LB IMHO. His height would concern me a bit at OLB anyway.

Just to illustrate that further, until BJ Scott officially makes the move to defense Woodson will be the only player signed on that side of the ball who is under 6'. In three signing classes Marquis Maze, BJ Scott, and Rod Woodson are the only players under 6' CNS has signed other than several of the RBs.

 

[rolltide0692]

I thought Barron could play FS too. Barron and Woodson on the field at the same time would be killer

 

[BEATtutorsee]

I thought Barron could play FS too. Barron and Woodson on the field at the same time would be killer

Barron is more suited for SS IMHO, but with his talent level I don't think it would be that big of a stretch for him to play some FS if need be. It will be interesting to see who plays opposite of Woodall this year.

 

[GreatDanish]

Just to illustrate that further, until BJ Scott officially makes the move to defense Woodson will be the only player signed on that side of the ball who is under 6'. In three signing classes Marquis Maze, BJ Scott, and Rod Woodson are the only players under 6' CNS has signed other than several of the RBs.

... and Kareem Jackson, I believe.

 

[awesomeusername]

I thought Barron could play FS too. Barron and Woodson on the field at the same time would be killer

Who does bama have lined up to be playin FS next season? Was woodall playing SS or FS this past season?

 

[SimCastilleFan3]

Who does bama have lined up to be playin FS next season? Was woodall playing SS or FS this past season?

I think we see Woodall next season playing the free and calling the plays for the defense, in my opinion it wont be that much of a drop off because Woodall has come a long ways and is only gonna get better. Barron goes to the other safety spot and will light it up this season!

 

[awesomeusername]

I think we see Woodall next season playing the free and calling the plays for the defense, in my opinion it wont be that much of a drop off because Woodall has come a long ways and is only gonna get better. Barron goes to the other safety spot and will light it up this season!

So would we see woodson splitting time with barron in different defensive packages? or would we see him redshirt this coming season?

 

[M2J]

Barron can play either safety spot. He has the coverage skills to play at FS (seeing as he played a lot of the star position for us at times last year), but he'd probably be able to move into the SS spot easier right now. Whichever way it goes, though he should be starting somewhere next year.

 

[silentsam74]

... and Kareem Jackson, I believe.

That may be right. I just scanned over scout's commit lists for the last three classes. Rolltide.com does have KJ listed at 5' 11" though.

 

[BAMARICH]

Donta had one huge advantage, and that was he had an open spot that allowed him a great chance to start, and he took it.
I don't see any freshmen starting this year that aren't somewhat expected to be in the mix (Fluker, maybe Richardson).
The only one that comes to mind is Chance Warmack - A three-star recruit that enrolls early is easy to overlook, but he has the body already, will have Spring practices, and will be competing for a vacant spot on the line with no clear successor.

Good call on Warmack... for the correct reason (highlighted in bold). For an answer, it's mostly about this last fact. Take Stinson, for example. IMO, he has no chance to surpass Fanney/Upshaw this year (especially Upshaw). I also don't think any incoming NG has the slightest chance to unseat either Cody or Chapman... too much talent and conditioning ahead of them. IMO, Woodson doesn't fit that situation because Woodall is entrenched and we're going to have an absolute beast in Barron also. Both, like Woodson, fit the mold of a SS better than FS. Now... if Woodson were the FS type, we may have a winner.

 

[Jazzman]

The thing I see is that our talent level is getting so good that soon you won't be able to tell the subs from the starters. What this means most is that in the fourth quarter, we will still have fresh legs.

 

[t-townmike]

even though he gets help on some of those stops

doesn't matter, as long as he gets in that backfield, he's a deffinate threat. That is what disrupts a play. That's what we've been lacking all last season. This is the kind of safety that gets in a QB's head early and often.


nickname: the widow maker

 

[BAMARICH]

BTW, to answer the question above, Woodall was the SS this past year with Rashad playing FS. In Saban's scheme, the FS is more of a ball hawk while the SS is more of a run-support guy. IMO, Sharrief will have an opportunity to replace Rashad at FS... but if that doesn't work out, Woodall likely moves to FS and Barron will start at SS.

 

[BEATtutorsee]

BTW, to answer the question above, Woodall was the SS this past year with Rashad playing FS. In Saban's scheme, the FS is more of a ball hawk while the SS is more of a run-support guy. IMO, Sharrief will have an opportunity to replace Rashad at FS... but if that doesn't work out, Woodall likely moves to FS and Barron will start at SS.

Agreed, that's what I'm thinking as well. Hopefully Robert Lester has progressed a good bit because he could provide some depth at FS while Woodson would certainly provide it at SS (provided he qualifies).