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BamaInsider Top 40 for 2017: Tagovailoa, Leatherwood, among players 30-21

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Alabama will need true freshman quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to be able to step in if starter Jalen Hurts goes down to injury. Photo | Laura Chramer
Alabama will need true freshman quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to be able to step in if starter Jalen Hurts goes down to injury. Photo | Laura Chramer
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Alabama's season opener is more than two months away, but it's never too early to start thinking about what the Crimson Tide has in store for the upcoming year. Looking to make the College Football Playoff for a fourth straight season, Alabama returns a stacked roster which should set the Tide up for another national title run.

Over the next week, BamaInsider.com will break down the top 40 most important players for the upcoming season. Players were determined based on their projected impact on Alabama's success next season.

Today we look at No. 30-21: | 40-31 Players Here

No. 30: Tua Tagovailoa, QB 

True freshman Tua Tagovailoa stole the show during the A-Day game with 315 yards and three touchdowns through the air. Photo | Laura Chramer
True freshman Tua Tagovailoa stole the show during the A-Day game with 315 yards and three touchdowns through the air. Photo | Laura Chramer

If things go right for Alabama, Tagovailoa won't need to start a game this season. However, that doesn't mean the true freshman quarterback will be any less important for the Crimson Tide this year.

Tagovailoa was one of the top performers during Alabama's A-Day game, completing 18 of 32 passes for 315 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. That display all but earned him the backup role behind starting quarterback Jalen Hurts. While Hurts was also impressive during the spring, if he is unable to show improvement in the passing game early this season Tagovailoa could begin to push for playing time.

No. 29: Alex Leatherwood, OL 

True freshman offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood should provide depth and could even compete for a starting spot. Photo | Laura Chramer
True freshman offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood should provide depth and could even compete for a starting spot. Photo | Laura Chramer

Leatherwood did not earn a start in any of Alabama's scrimmages this spring, but the early enrollee could still make big moves this fall. Rated as the No. 1 offensive tackle and No. 4 overall player in the 2017 class, the 6-foot-6, 327-pound offensive lineman already has the size of a SEC starter.

Alabama is currently looking to fill spots at both right guard and right tackle. Deonte Brown, Matt Womack and Lester Cotton all saw action across the right side of the line, producing mixed results this spring. That leaves the door open for Leatherwood to fight for a spot.

No. 28: Raekwon Davis, DL 

Raekwon Davis (99) should factor heavily into Alabama's rotation on the defensive line this season. Photo | Laura Chramer
Raekwon Davis (99) should factor heavily into Alabama's rotation on the defensive line this season. Photo | Laura Chramer

One of the biggest players on Alabama's roster, Davis, 6-foot-7, 303 pounds, showed off his big potential during A-Day. The sophomore tallied seven tackles, one for a loss, with one pass breakup during the scrimmage.

After appearing in just four games as a freshman last season, Davis will undoubtedly take a bigger role on this year's defensive line. This spring, the towering defensive lineman appeared leaner, giving him the option to play at one of the two open defensive line positions or provide relief for defensive tackle Da'Ron Payne inside. Either way, Davis should provide much-needed depth for a unit that will need to replace two starters in Jonathan Allen and Dalvin Tomlinson.

No. 27: Josh Jacobs, RB

Josh Jacobs (8) rushed for 657 yards and four touchdowns last season. Photo | USA Today
Josh Jacobs (8) rushed for 657 yards and four touchdowns last season. Photo | USA Today

Jacobs is another example of a player who would be higher on this list based on talent alone. As a freshman last season he finished fourth on the team in rushing with 567 yards and four touchdowns on 85 carries. He also led all Alabama running backs in receiving with 156 yards on 14 receptions.

With Alabama's two other returning starters, Damien Harris and Bo Scarbrough, both out with injuries this spring, Jacobs earned the start on the first-team offense during A-Day. The sophomore put up a solid performance in the scrimmage, recording 28 yards on seven carries while tallying four catches for 49 yards.

While Alabama will have plenty of options to choose from in a loaded backfield this season, Jacobs' versatility should still come in handy for the Tide.

No. 26: Anfernee Jennings, LB 

Alabama linebacker Anfernee Jennings had 19 tackles including two for a loss last season. Photo | Laura Chramer
Alabama linebacker Anfernee Jennings had 19 tackles including two for a loss last season. Photo | Laura Chramer

Alabama will have its hands full as it tries to replace outside linebackers Tim Williams and Ryan Anderson who combined for 35 tackles for a loss and 18 sacks last season. Coming into his redshirt sophomore season, Jennings will be one of the players the Tide turns to fill the void as a pass rusher.

Listed at 6-foot-3, 265 pounds, Jennings started at the Jack linebacker position on the Tide's first-team defense this spring. While he might not be quite as speedy as Williams, who played the Jack role last season, Jennings possesses the necessary strength and bulk to bully offensive linemen. Appearing in 15 games last season, Jennings tallied 19 tackles, two for a loss, with three quarterback hurries.

No. 25: Christian Miller, LB 

Alabama linebacker Christian Miller tallied 16 tackles including 2.5 for a loss last season. Photo | Laura Chramer
Alabama linebacker Christian Miller tallied 16 tackles including 2.5 for a loss last season. Photo | Laura Chramer

Like Jennings, Miller will look to help Alabama reload its pass-rushing attack. A highly-rated recruit in the 2014 class, Miller has been waiting his turn behind several talented linebackers. Entering his redshirt junior season, the 6-foot-4, 240-pounder now appears poised to break into the starting unit.

Miller started opposite of Jennings on the Tide's first-team defense this spring. During the A-Day scrimmage, he recorded four tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble. The most athletic of Alabama's returning outside linebackers, Miller is a strong candidate for the Sam linebacker role, where he can contribute both in coverage and as a pass-rusher.

“I’ve very comfortable. That’s kind of something I’ve done for awhile," Miller said this spring. "That’s something that kind of fits my game. I can cover tight ends. I can drop. I can play the edge. That’s honest. That’s what I do. So I’m very comfortable there.”

No. 24: Joseph Bulovas, K

Alabama will hope true freshman kicker Joseph Bulovas is  the answer to its kicking problems.
Alabama will hope true freshman kicker Joseph Bulovas is the answer to its kicking problems.

Alabama's struggles in the kicking game during A-Day highlight Bulovas' importance on this year's team. With Bulovas not on campus this spring, the Tide put walk-on kicker Andy Pappanastos and punter JK Scott on field-goal duties. Scott went 3 of 4 on A-Day, hitting the game-winning field goal from 30 yards out while also connecting on kicks of 37 and 20 yards and missing from 45 yards out. Meanwhile, Pappanastos had a day to forget, missing both of his attempts from 31 yards and 38 yards respectively.

Bulovas, the No. 1 kicker in the 2017 class, should be given every opportunity to win the starting job in the fall. Whether or not the true freshman can handle the pressure of kicking at the next level might go a long way in determining the Tide's success in close games this season.

No. 23: Matt Womack, OL

Womack turned heads this spring as he earned the start at right tackle in two of the Tide's three scrimmages. The former three-star recruit in the 2015 class might not have generated the same amount of attention as the rest of Alabama's linemen, but that appears bound to change this season.

At 6-foot-7, 326 pounds, Womack looks to be the front-runner for the right tackle position left behind by Jonah Williams, who moved to left tackle this spring.

"I think he's really matured. I think he kind of knows that this is his time to step up, and really prove to the coaches that he's the guy," Alabam offensive lineman Ross Pierschbacher said of Womack this spring. "I think he's really taken that to heart. You can see him — he's in here getting treatment and getting extra film work which is nice to see. He's really taken it to heart and knows that this is his time to step up. It's been nice to see out of him."

No. 22: Hootie Jones, DB

Alabama defensive back Hootie Jones will be one of the Tide's most important reserves this season. Photo | USA Today
Alabama defensive back Hootie Jones will be one of the Tide's most important reserves this season. Photo | USA Today

Jones' role will depend on how Alabama elects to use All-American defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick this season. During the spring, Alabama put Fitzpatrick at strong safety, bumping Jones to a reserve role. However, if the Tide needs Fitzpatrick to drop down to cornerback, Jones would be the guy to take over at safety.

Regardless of where he starts the game, Jones should still be a part of Alabama's dime package. Last season, the 6-foot-2, 215-pound defensive back played the free safety role, allowing Ronnie Harrison to drop down to the Money role when the Tide used six defensive backs. Jones recorded 20 tackles, five pass breakups and a forced fumble playing in 15 games.

No. 21: Robert Foster, WR

Robert Foster had two catches for 115 yards and a touchdown during the A-Day scrimmage. Photo | USA Today
Robert Foster had two catches for 115 yards and a touchdown during the A-Day scrimmage. Photo | USA Today

It's easy to forget that Foster was the Tide's No. 1 receiver in 2015 before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. Last season, he found himself behind starters Ardarius Stewart, Calvin Ridley and Gehrig Dieter, tallying just five receptions for 55 yards. Now, heading into his senior season, many are predicting Foster to finally return to an impactful role for the Tide.

The 6-foot-2, 196-pound receiver was one of the Tide's biggest weapons this spring. During A-Day, he recorded two catches for 115 yards, including a 65-yard touchdown pass from starting quarterback Jalen Hurts. This season, Foster will not only provide the Tide with a downfield option but should also serve as a veteran leader among the unit.

"I feel like he’s more experienced, he knows what he’s doing," Alabama cornerback Anthony Averett said this spring. "He’s still fast, he’s still a guy that you have to chase around just to keep your hands on him, so he’s great."

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