BamaOnLine.com - 10 Impact Signees: Dre Kirkpatrick

July 25, 2009

Chase Goodbread
BamaOnLine.com Senior Writer

With Alabama drawing the Rivals.com No.1-ranked signing class in the nation last February, anticipation runs high among fans waiting to see how an especially gifted group of newcomers melds with a group of veterans with some obvious depth concerns. BamaOnLine.com presents a daily countdown of 10 signees - published in ascending order - who could have the most impact on the 2009 season. The listing is influenced by the Crimson Tide's depth at the positions the signees are expected to play, not just their prep credentials. Note: Because they had not yet qualified at the time this series launched, signees Eddie Lacy and Darrington Sentimore were not considered.

#6 - Dre Kirkpatrick

Position: Cornerback.
Size: 6-2, 180 pounds.
High school: Gadsden (Ala.) Gadsden City.
Rivals.com rating:

The film room: Smooth. That's the one word that comes to mind in watching Kirkpatrick on film, whether it's roaming the secondary or navigating another long return on special teams. That he can cover and run is obvious enough - all corners must be able to do that or they don't play. What Kirkpatrick adds that not every cornerback can claim is soft hands, an ability to adjust to the ball in the air, and a good instinct for run support. He is as complete a player at the cornerback position as UA has signed in years. And at 6-2, his size makes him even more special at a position where size can be hard to come by.

The money clip: The quarterback rolls out to the right, then throws a pass behind Kirkpatrick, who shows impressive body control in turning to make a tough catch look easy, followed by a nice return - see this play at the 0:46 mark.

Other Rivals.com video: Click here for some good clips of Kirkpatrick playing special teams and offense; See more defensive clips here. For links to all six Rivals.com highlight reels for Kirkpatrick, click here.

Who is in front of him: Kareem Jackson and Javier Arenas return, backed by Chris Rogers, Marquis Johnson. B.J. Scott and Alonzo Lawrence (Reported transfer pending).

Climbing the depth chart: Jackson and Arenas are well-entrenched as returning starters with plenty of experience. The chances that any incoming freshman would bump either of them out of a job is very, very slim. That doesn't mean getting into the playing rotation is out of reach for Kirkpatrick, however. Rogers, though a senior, has not gained much of any game-day experience in the secondary and is more of a special teams player than anything. Johnson is an experienced senior as the extra cornerback in UA's nickel package, but competition for that job could be stiffer than expected. Then there is the dimeback spot manned by senior safety Ali Sharrief, which may also be up for grabs among several candidates. Kirkpatrick's return skills could make him a viable candidate to join Arenas deep on the kickoff return team, as well.

What will make it tough: All the experience returning in the secondary will make it more difficult for Kirkpatrick to stand out in fall camp. For every mental error he makes, there will likely be a veteran nearby executing flawlessly. From the starting cornerbacks to the extra DBs in the nickel and dime packages, Kirkpatrick will be competing with experienced veterans all around him. Though offseason shoulder surgery is said to have gone well and Kirkpatrick is expected to be fully ready for fall camp, keep in mind that he will be competing in full contact for the first time since the procedure was done. That should be a quick adjustment, but an adjustment nonetheless.

Shane Youngblood's take: "Kirkpatrick has a forgotten attribute that I think may enable him to battle for immediate playing time in a Saban/Smart secondary - he is more physical than people give him credit for. In a playoff game as a junior against Spain Park, he came up in run support on two straight plays at the goal line to make the tackle. Usually a cornerback shies away from that battle. As far as his coverage skills, Kirkpatrick size obviously gives him a built-in advantage, but he has been well-coached at Gadsden and should come to Tuscaloosa ready to challenge for a regular role. He was also an excellent return man in high school."

More from BOL
Miss a previously published installment of BOL's Impact Signee Series?
Link to any of them below:

#10 - Tana Patrick
#9 - Chance Warmack
#8 - Kenny Bell
#7 - Rod Woodson
#6 - Dre Kirkpatrick
#5 - Coming soon
#4 - Coming soon
#3 - Coming soon
#2 - Coming soon
#1 - Coming soon

FEATURED PRODUCT