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How Alabama’s five-star recruits past five years have fared
By Corey Long
Published:
Reviewing five years of five-star prospects that have signed with Alabama and its easy to see why the Tide are competing for championships every year. The success-to-bust ratio is high with only one player that didn’t play a down for the program before leaving (Eddie Williams). With 24 five-stars in five years, the quantity and quality of the Tide’s signees is impressive.
2011
Cyrus Kouandjio, OT — Interesting recruitment complete with signing day controversy as Kouandjio announced he was signing with Auburn on national signing day but never signed a letter and later chose Alabama on Twitter. Kouandjio started at left tackle in 2012 and 2013 and was named a consensus All-American and All-SEC performer in 2013. He was drafted in the second round by the Buffalo Bills in the 2014 Draft.
Ha’Sean Clinton-Dix, S — Orlando-based prospect played in 38 games with 19 starts. Clinton-Dix had seven career interceptions and was a consensus All-American and All-SEC performer in 2013. Clinton-Dix was drafted in the first round by the Green Bay Packers in the 2014 Draft.
Trey DePriest, LB — DePriest played in 53 games with 39 starts. He was a first-team All-SEC performer in 2014 and was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2015.
2012
Landon Collins, S — Quite possibly the best signing day announcement story ever with his mother visibly angry he chose Alabama over LSU at the 2012 Under Armour All-America Game. Despite mom’s objections Collins played in 41 games and started over 20. He had 105 tackles and 5 interceptions with two defensive touchdowns. Collins was a first team All-American in 2014 and was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round. Hopefully mom approved of that.
Eddie Williams, S — Redshirted in 2012 and was arrested in early 2013 on weapons possession and assault charges. In August he was sentenced to a lengthy probation but no jail time based on his transgressions.
T.J. Yeldon, RB — Yeldon rushed for over 3,300 yards and 37 touchdowns in his three-year career at Alabama. He rushed for 1,108 as a freshman — a school record. Yeldon was a first-team All-SEC performer in 2013 and second-team All-SEC in 2014. He was drafted in the second round by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2015.
2013
Reuben Foster, LB — The big-hitting linebacker played primarily as a reserve and on special teams in his first two seasons but started seven games in 2015 and was second on the team with 60 tackles and seven tackles for loss.
Derrick Henry, RB — Henry nearly rushed for a 1,000 yards as a junior but broke all single-season team and conference rushing records in 2015 with 1,986 yards and 23 touchdowns. Henry won the Heisman Trophy, Doak Walker Award, Maxwell Award and the Walter Camp Award. Henry was a unanimous first-team All-American selection.
Jonathan Allen, DL — Pass-rushing specialist lead the Crimson Tide with 10 sacks in 2015. Allen has 16 career sacks and 27 tackles for loss in 39 games over three seasons. Allen was a first-team All-SEC performer in 2014 and 2015.
O.J. Howard, TE — Howard has played in 41 games and started in over 20. He has 61 catches for 864 yards and two touchdowns in three years. Howard was a semifinalist for the Mackey Award.
Robert Foster, WR — Redshirt sophomore has 16 catches for 160 yards and two touchdowns in two seasons.
A’Shawn Robinson, OT — Rated as an offensive linemen by some services and defensive by others, Robinson has found his home on the defense. Robinson has 28 starts in 40 games with 128 yards, 22 tackles for loss and nine sacks. Robinson was a freshman All-American in 2013 and a consensus first-team All-American in 2015. Appears likely to declare for NFL Draft.
2014
Cameron Robinson, OT — The top prospect in the 2014 class has started from day one. Was a Freshman All-American in 2014 and an All-SEC and second-team USA Today All-American in 2015.
De’Shawn Hand, DL — The Virginia prospect has been a rotational defensive lineman in his first two years and playing the majority of his time in pass-rush situations. Hand has 4.5 sacks in two seasons. Will be looking to become a three-down player in 2016.
Tony Brown, CB — Texas prospect has two starts as a freshman but has made his biggest impact on special teams in his first two seasons. Brown was suspended for college football playoff semifinal for a violation of team rules.
Marlon Humphrey, CB — Son of former ‘Bama running back Bobby Humphrey redshirted in 2014 and had a strong 2015 with 40 tackles and three interceptions while starting every game. Was named to the Freshman All-SEC team.
Rashaan Evans, LB — Evans has been active as a reserve linebacker and on special teams in his first two seasons. He has recorded three total sacks.
Bo Scarbrough, RB — Enrolled in January of 2015. Has 87 yards and a touchdown in five games as a freshman.
2015
Calvin Ridley, WR — Led Alabama in catches (75) and receiving yards (893) as a freshman. Was named to the Freshman All-American team and both the AP and Coaches All-SEC teams.
Kendall Sheffield, CB — Redshirted.
Blake Barnett, QB — Redshirted.
Daron Payne, DT — Played in all 13 games and started two. Had 13 tackles and a half of a sack.
Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB — Started 12 of 13 games and had 41 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions, which were both returned for touchdowns. Fitzpatrick was named to the Freshman All-American and Freshman All-SEC teams.
Damien Harris, RB — Played in ten games and rushed for 155 yards and a touchdown.
Corey Long is a freelance writer for SaturdayDownSouth.com. Follow Corey on Twitter @CoreyLong.
