Football roster (defense) Clarks valentine present to UAB fans
Feb 2016..yes, way to early but still fun.
UAB DEFENSIVE POSITION ANALYSIS (Ratings A – F)
Listed in order of anticipated depth chart position.
Key: Name, height, weight, class, 247 numerical rating, highest star rating (from 247, Rivals, ESPN) notes
DEFENSIVE TACKLE (C+) All of these players are high talent defensive ends, weighing 250 - 275 lbs. They are projected to have the frame to grow into D-tackles by adding 20-30 pounds. Any of these could play end instead if we eventually sign naturally-sized DTs. Jones, Marino, and Thagard are all significant talents and may prove to be very effective on the interior if they bulk up and keep most of their quickness. But based on the lack of size and history in playing the position, the DT position is the most significant weakness for the present roster.
• Noah Jones, 6'4", 275, JR, 3*, 84…MichSt transfer…KY offer
• Garrett Marino, 6'2", 275, SO, 3*….AZ St
• Quindarius Thagard, 6'4", 255, JR, JUCO, 3-star, 83, add 20-30 lbs…Purdue offer
• Michael Wright, 6'5", 260, JR, 2*, 78
DEFENSIVE END (B+) abundant talent & size, depth is an issue if the D-tackles listed above grow into interior linemen, but any of the DTs listed could also play end. Some, like Keely, could also move to Jack.
• Stacy Keely, 6'7", 230, JR, 3*, 80, edge speed rusher, explosive
• Darryl Waters, 6'4", 245, 2*, 76
• Christian Robinson, 6'5", 240, SO, 2*, 77, good grades, will gain 20-30 lbs according to Clark
• Roderick McKinney, JR?
JACK (B+) will probably move another DE into this role. Shaq Jones will be on a mission after sitting out two years, but Kanyagara is a significant talent and is also an older guy.
• Shaq Jones, 6'2", 235, returning starter
Craig Kanyangarara, 6'1", 240, JR, 3*, 86, coming in summer...highly rated, aggressive player
• Kingsley Ejke, 6'3", 230, SO, returnee
MLB (A+) Garret is the highest rated player ever signed by UAB. Gentry could play here also. There is ridiculous talent here but will need to add depth in next class.
• Clilfton Garret, 6'2", 242, JR, 3*, 87, former 5-STAR and LSU player
OLB (B+) very good talent in Williams. Depth is needed. Hopefully we sign a truckload of freshmen linebackers next year, looking to 2019 when all the current JR class talent is gone.
• Zachary Williams, 6'2", 235, JR, 3*, 81, 114 tackles
• Donnie Lee, 6'2", 215, JUCO JR, not rated
SAM LB (B+) good talent but need depth, woolbright is very athletic but still new to playing LB
• Bobby Gentry, 6'3", 230, JR, 3* Rivals, 78
• Chris Woolbright, 6'2", 230, JR, 2*, 76
SAFETY (A-) Tall and talented, but need more depth because it seemed like we lost a safety per game in 2014- could also add Petty to this position as a quick, cover safety, Diggs could play here if needed.
• Earl Chambers, 6'2", 195, JR, 3*, 83
• Garrison Mitchell, 6'1", 193, JR, 3*, 83
• Jordan Petty, 5'10", 180, JR, returning starter (S or CB) very good player, could rise to top of depth chart
• Tajh Lowe, 5'11", 180, SO
• Tevin Crews, 6'2", 212, SR
• Marcus Sanders, 5'9", 175, RS FR
CORNERBACK (A) ridiculous talent levels, height and depth at corner, if all these players make it to 2017 and play anywhere near their ratings (not all will) UAB has never had a corner group that looks like this…
• Shaq Jones, 6’2”, 175, JR, 3*, 85….played at Georgia, versatile CB or S, Indianna offer
• Darez Diggs, 6'3", 205, JR, 3*, 86, All American, versatile, WVA offer, could also play safety
• Duke Culver, 6'0", 180, JR, HS 3*, 87, Lousville transfer, talented
• D.A. Williams, CB, 5'10", 175, 3*, 80, smart, leader
• Darius Williams, 5"10, 190, JR, 23 tackles 2014, good
• Montavious Smoke, 6'1", 182, JR (walk on)
• Chase Biles, 5'11, 190, FR (walk on)
SUMMARY: Bottom line is that UAB has some of the best talent (on paper) in program history at linebacker, cornerback, safety and DE.
Tackle is a huge gap, and depth is presently limited at LB. If UAB can get the two tackle commits on campus this summer, and if we can add more LBs, safeties and tackles in the next class, and if we can keep most of these guys eligible – by mid to late season this could grow into a defense reminiscent of the Steel Shield era.
By 2018, with a year of olaying together3 under their belt, and a third recruiting class to build depth and fill gaps - this should be a deep, nasty defense with several NFL prospects. That’s the kind of defense that results in championships (see Denver Broncos for a recent example).
(This post was last modified: 02-14-2016 09:06 AM by ranger1386b.)
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