Three and out: Depth chart released, injury updates & two top safeties
Alabama began its game-week preparations Monday as the No. 1 rated Crimson Tide prepares for its season opener against No. 3 Florida State on Saturday inside of Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Here are three things we learned to kick off the week:
Alabama releases its depth chart
As is customary to start the season, Alabama released its annual depth chart Monday, ending some of the speculation surrounding Saturday’s opener. The chart, which gives a two-deep look at each position features 11 freshmen, including five who were listed as co-starters.
Five-star offensive tackle Jedrick Wills and redshirt sophomore Matt Womack were listed as co-starters at right tackle, while another five-star freshman Jerry Jeudy was listed as a co-starter with senior Cam Sims at the H receiver (slot) position.
Freshman Thomas Fletcher, the No. 1 rated long snapper in the 2017 class, was listed as a co-starter with walk-on Scott Meyer at the snapper position, while Joseph Bulovas, the top kicker in the 2017 class shares the starting spot at place kicker with walk-on Andy Pappanastos. Freshman receiver Henry Ruggs is also one of three starters at kick returner, joining sophomore Trevon Diggs and junior Xavian Marks.
Other freshmen on the list include Alex Leatherwood (second-team left tackle), Tua Tagovailoa (second-team quarterback), Najee Harris (second-team running back), DeVonta Smith (second-team X receiver), Dylan Moses (second-team Will linebacker) and Chris Allen (second-team Jack linebacker).
The depth chart also featured a surprise, with sophomore Irv Smith Jr. earning the starting spot at the H tight end position. Smith did not record a catch last season but led all tight ends with three receptions for 37 yards during A-Day. He is backed up by fellow sophomore Miller Forristall, while junior Hale Hentges holds the other tight end role.
Another notable starter is sophomore Trevon Diggs, who earned the nod at cornerback after making the switch from receiver this spring. While Diggs might get the start Saturday, Alabama head coach Nick Saban said senior Levi Wallace is providing plenty of competition at the position. Both Diggs and Wallace were seen taking reps with the first unit during practice Monday.
Alabama’s starting offensive line should line up with Jonah Williams, Ross Pierschbacher, Bradley Bozeman, Lester Cotton and either Womack or Wills from left to right. Bo Scarbrough and Damien Harris are listed as the two starters at running back, while Josh Jacobs and Najee Harris are the backups. Calvin Ridley is listed as the starting Z receiver, while Robert Foster earned the starting role at X receiver. Reigning SEC Offensive Player of the Year Jalen Hurts is the starter at quarterback.
On defense, Alabama’s front three will be Da’Shawn Hand, Da’Ron Payne and either Raekwon Davis or Joshua Frazier. Davis suffered a gunshot wound Sunday and is listed as “day-to-day” for the opener. Christian Miller will start at Sam linebacker with Shaun Dion Hamilton at Mike, Rashaan Evans at Will and Anfernee Jennings at Jack. Anthony Averett will start opposite of Diggs at corner, while Minkah Fitzpatrick will play at strong safety and Ronnie Harrison will play at free safety. Tony Brown was listed as the starter at Star, although Fitzpatrick was working there with the first unit on Monday with Hootie Jones taking his role at strong safety.
JK Scott will be the starting punter and backup kicker, while Diggs will be the starting punt returner.
Saban updates injury status of Davis and Jacobs
Saban provided injury updates for both Davis and Jacobs Monday, listing the defensive lineman as day-to-day while stating he would wait until midweek to make a decision on his backup running back.
Jacobs has been dealing with a hamstring injury that caused him to miss both of Alabama’s scrimmages this season. The sophomore has returned to practice but remains limited, participating in individual drills at half speed while not wearing gloves or cleats.
“He’s still day-to-day, still rehabbing,” Saban said. “We probably won’t be able to make that call until midweek. That’s about as much as I can tell you about it right now.”
Davis was shot in the right leg outside of a Tuscaloosa bar early Sunday morning. He was later hospitalized with a non-severe injury in his right leg. While Saban said the sophomore is back with the team, Davis was not spotted during the media viewing period of practice Monday.
“He’s here, he’s getting treatment. He’ll be day-to-day,” Saban said. “We’re still gathering information, and what his status is moving forward will be a medical decision, not something we can really comment on here right now.”
Both teams boast big-time safeties
Alabama and Florida State share several similarities heading into the opener. However, perhaps none is as obvious as the safety position where the teams feature preseason All-Americans in Minkah Fitzpatrick and Derwin James.
Fitzpatrick earned All-American honors as a sophomore last season, recording an SEC-best six interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns. The 6-foot-1, 202-pound defender has bounced around at several positions this offseason and can play all six position in the secondary.
“It’s been fun to watch him play,” said Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher, who came close to bringing Fitzpatrick to Florida State. “It ain’t going to be fun this weekend, that guy’s too good. But I mean, you go back and watch him, how many turnovers he turns into touchdowns... He’s always in the right place whether he’s playing corner, whether he’s playing safety, whether he’s playing nickel, whether he’s playing dime. I mean, the guy is just an unbelievable instinctive football player.”
Saban was equally complimentary of James, who suffered a lateral meniscus tear in his left knee during the second week of last season after recording 91 tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, five pass breakups and two fumble recoveries as a freshman in 2015.
“I think he's every bit as good as anybody we've ever played against,” Saban said of James. “...This guy's just a very aggressive player. He's got good ball skills. He's a good tackler. He's a very physical player. Good blitzer. Just all around a really, really good football player.”