ROLL TIDE!! Alabama “Linebacker” University
I always told myself that as a Georgia fan I would never say “Roll Tide!”…..whoops.
Went out the door before the article even started. Oh well.
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The Alabama Crimson Tide, love them or hate them you have to agree that this is one of the most successful collegiate programs in quite some time.
With this team it isn’t just winning championships. This program develops NFL quality players on the regular now. It would be a total shock at this point if an Alabama player does not get drafted in the first round. There are certain positions that tend to get drafted higher than others and some that get drafted more often than others as well.
So why am I writing right now?
Well let’s back up a drop. A few days ago I was watching film for my College Football Scouting Notes, and I wanted to double-check what pick C.J. Mosley got picked last year when I noticed it: there are a lot of linebackers that come from the University of Alabama. I knew there were a few recently, but it never occurred to me just how many big time linebackers all came from this one school!
It’s quickly becoming what I’m going to call “Linebacker U” or “Linebacker University”.
So again, why am I writing? Why am I telling you this?
It’s about time we all take notice of how this program is developing talent at a very under appreciated position. Yes, it is under appreciated. On occasion some will get the glory, like the great Ray Lewis. At the end of the day the inside linebacker is pretty much he quarterback of a defense.
Just for the hell of it, how about I show you what linebackers have recently come from the Tide. I’m only going to go back ten years, so the 2006 NFL draft is where we begin. (Some of these may not be inside linebackers, but linebackers nonetheless)
Jul 24, 2014; Owings Mills, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker C.J. Mosley (57) prepares to make a catch during practice at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
- Demeco Ryans, 33rd pick of the 2006 NFL Draft
- Rolando McClain, 8th pick of the 2010 NFL Draft
- Dont’a Hightower, 25th pick of the 2012 NFL Draft
- Courtney Upshaw, 35th pick of the 2012 NFL Draft
- C.J. Mosley, 17th pick of the 2014 NFL Draft
That is a pretty impressive list right there. Yes, other schools have put out talent as well, but those are all pro bowl caliber players. Yes, even Rolando McClain.
So does the trend continue? Absolutely.
Next up: Reggie Ragland
Jan 1, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reggie Ragland (19) reacts in the fourth quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2015 Sugar Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
You may have seen me do a scouting report on him the other day, if not you can see it here. He still needs a little bit of work, but he is capable of becoming the next one up in “Linebacker U”. What’s impressive to me is his coverage ability at his incredible size of nearly 260 pounds. This is a guy I’m very excited to see next season, just not against my Dawgs.
The scary thing is that this program is not just making linebackers. Two top wide receivers, multiple top defensive backs, multiple running backs (yes, we know Trent Richardson has been a bust) and even offensive lineman. I may not root for them in college, but if one should end up becoming a Giant I certainly will not be turning them away, that is for sure.