Tide freshmen look impressive

HOOVER — Alabama safety Rashad Johnson heard about the Tide’s touted freshman class for months. He helped recruit some of them.
But the senior from Sulligent knew enough about Southeastern Conference competition to be skeptical about the class having an immediate impact on the Tide program.

Until he saw them report earlier this summer.

“I was definitely surprised at the way they came in, the work ethic that they had,” Johnson said Thursday at SEC Football Media Days. “I really didn’t expect those guys to come in as good a shape as they did and as physical as they are. They all have an opportunity to go out and play this year.”

For now, the Tide’s freshmen compete in 7-on-7 drills against the veterans. The coaches can’t work with them, but leaders like Johnson certainly can. He’s worked closely with Mark Barron at the safety spot, saying Barron earning a place on the field would help the defense.

Likely Alabama’s most pressing need comes at linebacker. Keith Saunders and Darren Mustin graduated, Ezekial Knight’s career is over with medical issues. The Jimmy Johns experiment, which was never a sure thing in the first place, ended abruptly. Prince Hall was suspended again this spring and must work his way back.

“We’re definitely thin at linebacker,” Johnson said. “Those younger guys all have the athletic ability to come in, step in and help us out at that position.”

Johnson cited, by name, Don’ta Hightower, Jerrell Harris and Courtney Upshaw of Eufaula as true freshmen linebackers who look ready to contribute.

“They’re just physically fit,” the All-SEC safety said. “You don’t normally see freshmen come that physically fit and in shape to where they can play SEC ball, but a lot of those guys can.”

But linebacker in the SEC — particularly in Nick Saban’s defensive system — isn’t a bodybuilding contest.

“A lot of those guys, the mental part is the worst part for them right now,” Johnson said. “They all have athletic ability. They’re making plays on the ball and they don’t even know what’s going on yet. ... As far as the mental aspect of it, it’s how quick can they catch on to the scheme.”

Saban, who still hasn’t worked with the freshmen, sounded like he’ll turn them loose if they earn it. The coach said the best players will play — at linebacker or any position.

“The ones that develop the most quickly and give us the best opportunity to be successful, that have confidence and maturity to compete — it may be a freshman, it may be a sophomore, it may be a junior — we’ll make the decision to play the best players when everybody goes through fall camp,” Saban said.

Johnson said B.J. Scott was the fastest player when the freshmen ran their 40 times.

The safety also said Julio Jones has been impressive in drills.

“I haven’t had the opportunity to cover him because he’s more on the outside and I’m in the slot,” Johnson said. “I’ve watched him against guys that have played here some. He’s definitely making plays on those guys. That makes me think he can do the same thing on Saturdays for us.”
The senior said he’s been impressed with the approach to the game by this freshman class.

“I think they all came in with goals they wanted to meet themselves,” he said. “They knew they were one of the top recruiting classes in the nation, and they came in like they were one of the top recruiting classes in the nation. They all had a mindset they all want to play. They’re all out there working hard. The competition is going to be great when fall camp starts.”