Written by Ell | 17 September 2008

Alabama has now played 1/4 of its regular season schedule, and the depth chart is beginning to take shape. When the initial depth chart was released the Monday before the Clemson game there were a lot of "or"s on it, signifying that some positions were still up for grabs. Some of those still remain, but many have been sorted. This is not official, but rather how we've seen guys work their way onto the field through three games: Quarterback The only real revelation here is that Thomas Darrah has played and Star Jackson has not. I think if Bama were to suffer injuries to both John Parker Wilson and Greg McElroy that Jackson would almost certainly start ahead of Darrah. But with their roles being "mop-up duty" at this point, there is no reason to play Jackson and cost him a year of eligibility.

• 14 John Parker Wilson - SR - 6-2 - 211
• 12 Greg McElroy - SO - 6-2 - 220
• 16 Thomas Darrah - FR - 6-5 - 190
• 2 Star Jackson - FR - 6-3 - 195 <likely redshirt>

Running Back We were told that several guys would get playing time, and several guys have. It's been a four-headed monster for Bama, though two guys have led the way.

• 38 Glen Coffee - JR - 6-2 - 197
• 22 Mark Ingram - FR - 5-10 - 215
• 5 Roy Upchurch - JR - 6-0 - 201
• 29 Terry Grant - SO - 5-10 - 190
• 6 Demetrius Goode - FR - 5-10 - 190
• 31 Ivan Matchett - FR - 5-10 - 215 <likely redshirt>

Full Back Bama has used this position so little that it's almost a waste to even list it. Technically Roy Upchurch has seen more snaps at the position than Jeramie Griffin (who has seen the same number as me and you), but I don't think he's actually the #2 guy here if Huber were to go down with an injury.

• 40 Baron Huber - JR - 6-3 - 249
• 34 Jeramie Griffin - FR - 6-0 - 228

Left Tackle We've seen the nightmare happen; Andre Smith falling to the ground and grasping his knee. Thankfully it was only a minor injury and the big fella is back at work. The coaches would love for someone to step forward and become the true backup at both tackles, but it hasn't happened yet. John Michael Boswell isn't far away, though.

• 71 Andre Smith - JR - 6-5 - 340
• 78 Mike Johnson - JR - 6-6 - 298
• 67 John Michael Boswell - FR - 6-5 - 300 or
• 72 Tyler Love - FR - 6-5 - 280

Left Guard There is a difference here between who practices with the #2s and who plays with the #2s. Obviously one guy can't be in two places at once, or we'd clone Andre Smith and be done with it. This is how they actually play.

• 78 Mike Johnson - JR - 6-6 -298
• 74 David Ross - SO - 6-3 - 295
• 66 Brian Motley - SO - 6-2 - 289
• 52 Alfred McCullough - SO - 6-2 - 292 <likely redshirt>

Center This one has been static so far after a lot of movement in fall camp. A lot of that was experimental, but things have settled down.

• 59 Antoine Caldwell - SR - 6-3 - 305
• 70 Evan Cardwell - JR - 6-2 - 278
• 73 William Vlachos - FR - 6-0 - 305

Right Guard If the whole second unit is in, Ross would be here with Motley at left guard. Ross has been the starter here with Davis out.

• 76 Marlon Davis - SR - 6-2 - 300
• 74 David Ross - SO - 6-3 - 295
• 73 William Vlachos - FR - 6-0 - 305

Right Tackle There could be a real battle coming over the course of the next four weeks at this position. Davis is still the better run blocker, but the freshman is coming on strong with a solid performance on Saturday.

• 79 Drew Davis - JR - 6-7 - 276
• 67 John Michael Boswell - FR - 6-5 - 300
• 68 Taylor Pharr - SO - 6-6 - 288

Tight End The first two guys here are actually co-starters as Bama has spent a ton of time in a two tight end set.

• 88 Nick Walker - SR - 6-5 - 248
• 83 Travis McCall - SR - 6-2 - 261
• 87 Chris Underwood - FR - 6-3 - 224
• 85 Preston Dial - SO - 6-3 - 245
• 17 Brad Smelley - FR - 6-3 - 217 <likely redshirt>

All of the receiver positions change radically, especially when you consider that the official depth chart lists McCoy as the starter at two positions. This is how we've seen it so far. Wide Receiver (Z)

• 80 Mike McCoy - JR - 6-2 - 205
• 9 Nikita Stover - SR - 6-0 - 203
• 7 Will Oakley - SR - 6-1 - 196

Wide Receiver (X)

• 8 Julio Jones - FR - 6-4 - 210
• 82 Earl Alexander - SO - 6-4 - 216
• 11 Brandon Gibson - FR - 6-1 - 196
• 19 Chris Jackson - FR - 6-1 - 190

Wide Receiver (H)

• 4 Marquis Maze - FR - 5-9 - 171
• 1 B.J. Scott - FR - 5-10 - 195
• 15 Darius Hanks - SO - 6-0 - 172

Left Defensive End It's been a two-headed monster here with no real playing time for anyone behind.

• 93 Bobby Greenwood - SR - 6-5 - 278
• 97 Lorenzo Washington - JR - 6-5 - 275
• 90 Milton Talbert - SO - 6-3 - 263
• 94 Undra Billingsley - FR - 6-3 - 275 <likely redshirt>

Nose Guard There has been a five or six play rotation for the two at the top. There could be a need for more guy beginning this week.

• 62 Terrence Cody - JR - 6-5 - 365
• 99 Josh Chapman - FR - 6-1 - 305
• 92 Damion Square - FR - 6-2 - 290
• 58 Nick Gentry - FR - 6-1 - 264

Right Defensive End There has been some movement within the backups, but no chance of a change at the top.

• 95 Brandon Deaderick - JR - 6-4 - 286
• 96 Luther Davis - SO - 6-3 - 299
• 57 Marcel Dareus - FR - 6-3 - 280

Jack Linebacker Saturday night could have changed things with the backups considerably here, but until we see it on the field, we'll hesitate to change things.

• 98 Brandon Fanney - JR - 6-4 - 257
• 32 Eryk Anders - JR - 6-2 - 227
• 41 Courtney Upshaw - FR - 6-2 - 230
• 91 Alex Watkins - FR - 6-3 - 225
• 54 Glenn Harbin - FR - 6-6 - 245 <likely redshirt>
• 89 Michael Williams - FR - 6-6 - 270 <likely redshirt>

Mike Linebacker There hasn't been a change here, and don't expect one any time soon.

• 25 Rolando McClain - SO - 6-4 - 249
• 45 Charlie Higgenbotham - SO - 6-0 - 218
• 21 Prince Hall - JR - 5-11 - 235

Will Linebacker This one could be very interesting over the next few weeks. Hall figures to push Hightower in a way that neither of the freshman have.

• 30 Don'ta Hightower - FR - 6-4 - 250
• 21 Prince Hall - JR - 5-11 - 235
• 36 Chris Jordan - FR - 6-2 - 220
• 42 Jennings Hester - FR - 6-3 - 219

Sam Linebacker After just about having a week off against WKU these guys should get another heavy look this week. Williams and Harris are probably situational backups, with Williams the pash rusher and Harris the run stopper.

• 13 Cory Reamer - JR - 6-4 - 218
• 55 Chavis Williams - SO - 6-4 - 223 or
• 5 Jerrell Harris - FR - 6-3 - 215
• 35 Charlie Kirschman - SO - 6-2 - 230

Left Cornerback It's tough to really list Arenas the starter here with Johnson his backup since both guys are playing so much. If Bama is in a true 3-4-4 defense, this is how they line up, though.

• 28 Javier Arenas - JR - 5-9 - 198
• 24 Marquis Johnson - SO - 5-11 - 192
• 15 Alonzo Lawrence - FR - 6-1 - 190 <likely redshirt>

Right Cornerback Like things are with the offensive line, Johnson is the probably backup at more than one position.

• 3 Kareem Jackson - SO - 5-11 - 192
• 24 Marquis Johnson - SO - 5-11 - 192
• 8 Chris Rogers - JR - 6-0 - 195
• 23 Robby Green - FR - 6-0 - 180

The backups at both safety positions are getting a lot of time in the nickel and dime packages, so some of these get cloudy after the starters. Safety

• 49 Rashad Johnson - SR - 6-0 - 187
• 26 Ali Sharrief - JR - 5-9 - 205
• 20 Tyrone King - JR - 5-11 - 198
• 46 Wesley Neighbors - FR - 6-1 - 200 <likely redshirt>

Safety

• 27 Justin Woodall - JR - 6-2 - 220
• 4 Mark Barron - FR - 6-2 - 215
• 48 Travis Sikes - SO - 6-2 - 194
• 37 Robert Lester - FR - 6-2 - 210 <likely redshirt>

Place Kicker Smith is the only other person to attempt a kick this year, but he worked almost entirely with the punters on Saturday night.

• 99 Leigh Tiffin - JR - 6-1 - 198
• 81 Andrew Freidman - JR - 6-1 - 210
• 95 Colin Gallagher - FR - 6-0 - 180
• 44 Corey Smith - FR - 6-0 - 195

Punter No real changes here from the first practice until now.

• 97 P.J. Fitzgerald - JR - 5-11 - 194
• 98 Heath Thomas - SO - 6-3 - 216
• 44 Corey Smith - FR - 6-0 - 195

Punt Return After Arenas it gets weird. Jones was listed there, and has had returns. But Maze got action on Saturday night, which mean a move could be coming.

• 28 Javier Arenas - JR - 5-9 - 198
• 8 Julio Jones - FR - 6-4 - 210
• 4 Marquis Maze - FR - 5-9 - 171

Kickoff Return Jones was back initially, but we've also seen Ingram and McCoy. The bigger guys are likely there for blocking purposes.

• 28 Javier Arenas - JR - 5-9 - 198
• 80 Mike McCoy - JR - 6-2 - 205
• 8 Julio Jones - FR - 6-4 - 210
• 22 Mark Ingram - FR - 5-11 - 215

Obviously all of this is subject to change on the whim of the guys who get paid to coach them, and the guys who see them every day in the weight room, in the film room, and on the practice field. Those guys know a little more about this than we do. But this is our site, and this is how we see things through three weeks. Grab the printable depth chart here.

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