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The University of Alabama played 16 freshmen during the 2014 season, including two who started every game, left tackle Cam Robinson and punter JK Scott.
Six were redshirt freshmen: Cooper Bateman, Bradley Bozeman, Jonathan Cook, Robert Foster and ArDarius Stewart.
Alabama had 26 players in the signing Class of 2014, including two who did not academically qualify. However, running back Bo Scarbrough has since joined the team.
All four junior-college additions played along with former Florida State quarterback Jacob Coker.
Among the 20 true freshmen, half played this past season along with walk-on reserve kicker Gunnar Raborn. Last year the Crimson Tide played 14 true freshmen.
Overall, the signing class combined to play in 141 games, with 43 starts if you consider punter among the starters (Alabama statistically does not, and Scott didn’t play against Florida Atlantic as the Crimson Tide didn’t punt). That figure also doesn’t include Coker’s seven games played either.
The rundown:
- Cam Robinson, T: Despite sustaining an ankle injury that required surgery started all 14 games at left tackle.
- Da’Shawn Hand, DE: Played in nine games, tallied seven tackles and two sacks.
- Tony Brown, CB: Played in 13 games with two starts. Had 10 tackles, including one for a loss, one pass defended and a hurry.
- Marlon Humphrey, CB: Redshirted.
- Rashaan Evans, LB: Played in 13 games as a pass-rusher and on special teams, made 15 tackles, including two for a loss and a sack, and had three hurries.
- Christian Miller, LB: Redshirted.
- Laurence “Hootie” Jones, S: Played in seven games as a reserve and on special teams. Was credited with two tackles.
- Ronnie Clark, LB: Moved to safety. Filled in at running back only to sustain a torn Achilles tendon and redshirted.
- Ross Pierschbacher, OT: Was a key reserve at left tackle and even traveled some with the team, but ended up redshirting.
- David Cornwell, QB: Redshirted.
- Cam Sims, WR: Played in 12 games and had seven receptions for 62 yards and one touchdown.
- Josh Frazier, DT: Played in six games and was credited with a tackle for a loss.
- JC Hassenauer, C: Played in one game.
- Shaun Dion Hamilton LB: Played in all 14 games on special teams and as a reserve. Was credited with three tackles.
- Derek Kief, WR: Redshirted.
- Joshua Casher, C: Redshirted.
- Keith Holcombe, LB: Redshirted.
- O.J. Smith, DT: Had shoulder surgery to fix a pre-existing issue, was back practicing by the end of the season but redshirted.
- Johnny Dwight, DT: Redshirted.
- JK Scott, K: Set school numerous records en route being named a finalist for the Ray Guy Award for punter of the year.
Junior-college transfers
- Dominick Jackson, T: Played in seven games has a reserve offensive lineman. Is expected to compete for a starting job in the spring.
- Jarran Reed, DT: Started 13 of 14 games and led all defensive linemen with 55 tackles, including 6.5 for a loss, and broke up five passes. Is considering early jump to NFL.
- D.J. Pettway, DE: Returned to Alabama was primarily contributed as a pass-rusher. Made 23 tackles, including three for a loss and two sacks, with five hurries and broke up three passes.
- Ty Flournoy-Smith, TE: Played in four games and made two receptions for 18 yards and one touchdown.
Others
- Bo Scarbrough, RB: Did not qualify academically for the fall semester, but has since enrolled and joined the team for bowl practices.
- Montel McBride, G: Did not qualify academically.
- Jacob Coker, QB: The transfer from Florida State played seven games as a reserve, completing 38 of 59 passes for four touchdowns. Had a passer-efficiency rating of 144.2. Will try and pin down the starting job in the spring.
Christopher Walsh has covered Alabama football since 2004 and is the author of 19 books. In his free time, he writes about college football.
