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Basically... Several starters return, but there are major problems. The stars of the show, QB Brodie Croyle and OT Wesley Britt, are coming off injuries and weren't in the spring practice mix. Almost all of the receiving production is gone and there's no depth on the offensive line. The team's best offensive player of last year, RB Shaud Williams, is also gone. Even so, this shouldn't be too bad of an offense by mid-season when all the young players have a bit of experience playing together.
Star of the offense: Senior OT Wesley Britt (if 100% healthy)
Player that has to step up and become a star: Senior OG Danny Martz and junior OG Mark Sanders
Unsung star on the rise: Redshirt freshman WR Matt Caddell
Best pro prospect: Britt
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Britt, 2) QB Brodie Croyle, 3) OT Evan Mathis
Strength of the offense: Quarterback depth
Weakness of the offense: Proven playmakers at receiver and guard
Quarterbacks
Projected Starter
- Brodie Croyle, Jr. - Croyle showed flashes of brilliance last year, but he never really got on track as the passing game never got going and a shoulder injury bothered him during much of the
SEC season. He's one of the more talented quarterbacks in the SEC who needs to be even stronger this year with a new receiving corps to work with. Even though he bulked up to 200 pounds, he's
still skinny and might have problems taking big shots.
Top Backups
- Spencer Pennington, Jr. - A good sized quarterback, Pennington suffered a shoulder injury against Georgia limiting his effectiveness the rest of the way. He isn't Croyle, but he has enough
experience to be counted on if the franchise starter goes down again.
- Marc Guillon, Soph. - An intriguing prospect, the Miami Hurricane transfer fits right in with the rest of the Tide quarterbacks getting hit by a shoulder injury in 2002. He could end up
giving Croyle a run as the team's top quarterback after a fantastic spring.
The Skinny: Injuries and inconsistency hurt this crew last year, and there has to be far more production this season. The shoulder injuries to Croyle and Pennington hurt this spring, but
it allowed the backups time to get meaningful reps. Based on potential, this could be the deepest quarterback corps in the SEC.
Player to keep an eye on: Marc Guillon ... Quarterback Rating: 7.5
Running Backs
Projected Starter
- Ray Hudson, Sr. - Unlike the small, quick Shaud Williams who carried the load last season, Hudson is more of a north-south runner who won't dance around all that much. He ran for 490 yards
last year and served as one of the team's best kickoff returners.
- Fullback Tim Castille, Soph. - More of a bulked up tailback playing fullback, Castille has decent moves and could be outstanding around the goal line. He could end up being the team's
halfback losing weight to be quicker and more explosive.
Projected Backups
- Kenneth Darby, Soph. - Potentially the team's best game-breaking threat, he was slowed last year by a shoulder injury. He ran for 185 yards averaging 5.4 yards per carry as a
freshman.
- Nic Luke, Soph. - A power back when compared to Hudson and Darby, Luke might have a tough time getting work if Castille proves to be more of a ball-carrier.
- Le'Ron McClain, Soph. - A big, strong player, McClain is a key cog to the Tide rushing attack. If he proves he can handle the fullback duties, Tim Castille can play more tailback.
The Skinny: Shaud Williams was one of the nation's underrated backs last year carrying the Tide offense. Bama doesn't have a player who can carry the entire workload, but Hudson, Darby
and Castille should do fine in a group role with Castille seeing a ton of work. With more of an emphasis on the passing attack, it'll be important for the running game to be effective to take
the heat off of Croyle.
Player to keep an eye on: Tim Castille... Running Back Rating: 7
Receivers
Projected Starters
- Tyrone Prothro, Soph. - Potentially the new star Tide receiver, Prothro has the talent to go from a young reserve to signature star of the corps. He didn't do much as a true freshman until
the fifth game of last year finishing with 16 catches for 191 yards and a score.
- Matt Caddell, RFr. - A top recruit who redshirted last year, many Tide fans were clamoring for the great all-around athlete to get on the field last year. He'll have to fight early for
playing time, but could quickly become a top target. He's a physical receiver with excellent speed.
- Tight end David Cavan, Sr. - Cavan can end up being one of the SEC's best tight ends if he can stay healthy. He's more of a blocker than a receiver, but he's not horrible at catching the ball
despite only making two grabs last year due to a cast on his right hand. He had a knee injury which limited him as well..
Projected Backups
- Brandon Brooks, Jr. - More of a kick returner than a receiver, the lightning fast 5-4 junior might finally become a factor in the passing game..
- Antonio Carter, Sr. - Granted a sixth year of eligibility recovering from a leg injury, Carter's recovery will be a key for the receiving corps. Before the injury, Carter had otherworldly
speed clocked at a 4.26 (albeit on a fast track) in high school.
- Greg McLain, Jr. - The former fullback and linebacker turned into a decent backup tight end last year. He's not quite the receiver that fellow backup Clint Johnston is, but he's a better
all-around prospect.
The Skinny: Things aren't that bad considering the Tide lost five of its top six receivers. Prothro and Caddell are potentially better than anyone the Tide has had in years, while there
are excellent young prospects waiting to work their way into playing time. It might take half a season, but this corps has the potential to be something strong if Carter is healthy and the
young prospects come through
Player to keep an eye on: Matt Cadell ... Receiver Rating: 5.5
Offensive Line
Projected Starters
- Tackle Wesley Britt, Sr. - Profile of Wesley Britt One of the SEC's best tackles, Britt went down with a horrible leg injury against Tennessee late last year and is spending the off-season
continuing to recover. One of the most durable offensive linemen in the league before the injury, and should be back to form by the time the season rolls around and could be back to his All-SEC
level.
- Guard Evan Mathis, Sr. - Until Britt is 100%, Mathis will have to be the team's star lineman. He didn't miss a beat last year despite suffering a stress fracture. While he might not be the
best lineman in the SEC, he's a smart and durable player with a ton of experience. He's expected to move from tackle to guard taking over Justin Smiley's spot..
- Center J.B. Closner, Jr. - A starter for most of last year, Closner is growing into a rock in the middle of the line. He's a big player with excellent strength, but he's not a dominant
center.
- Guard Danny Martz, Sr. - With a little bit of experience, Martz can play left guard, but will likely start on the right side. He isn't a huge mauler, but he's decent enough get two starts and
play in nine games last year.
- Tackle Kyle Tatum, Soph. - A smart player with room on his 6-7 frame to grow into a huge player by the end of his Tide career, Tatum is expected to progress into a star and one of Bama's best
all-around linemen moving over from the defensive side.
Projected Backups
- OT Justin Moon, RFr. - One of the bigger reserve tackles, Moon will see time on both sides. He was moved to the number two right tackle spot this spring.
- OG/C Travis West, RFr. - Potentially a backup center, West will be more needed at guard battling Martz.
- OG Mark Sanders, Jr. - At 6-7 and 310 pounds, Sanders is a tackle-sized player who'll have to quickly emerge as a player after not seeing any action in his first two years.
The Skinny: There will be trouble by Alabama standards. Britt has to prove he's back to 100% to be the standout on a line full of average talents. The guard situation could be a mess
with no developed depth whatsoever. This group struggled the most of any unit this spring.
Player to keep an eye on: Justin Moon ... Offensive Line Rating: 5.5
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