Alabama freshmen who could make an impact in 2017

When a signing class tops all rankings, there’s an expectation -- at least among outsiders -- that contributions will come early. Alabama landed what could be its best recruiting haul in February, so there could be some stars in the bunch. Here’s a quick look at who could be a factor in 2017.

Michael Casagrande | mcasagrande@al.com

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RB Najee Harris

Let’s get this one out of the way first. This rookie from California has the ability to be a game-changer in the backfield. How much he plays qualifies among the more interesting preseason questions Alabama’s faced in terms of freshman game action. It’s hard to recall a situation where so much talent returns at a position with the nation’s best recruit entering the mix. He showed flashes of what could be in the A-Day Game, though against the second-team defense.

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WR Jerry Jeudy

Like Harris, the latest star receiver from South Florida left the spring game crowd eager for the future. The circumstances are more favorable for Jeudy in terms of the depth chart. The exits of ArDarius Stewart and Gehrig Dieter and Trevon Diggs moving to cornerback leaves opportunity for serious playing time early on.

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LB Dylan Moses

Though two starters return at middle linebacker, it’s hard to imagine Moses will be a spectator this fall. He has all the tools. Just looking at him, it’s clear he’s built from the middle linebacker mold. At 6-foot-3, 232 pounds, he has the potential to be the next great in a line of middle linebackers that regularly produces NFL draft picks. Returning reserves like Mack Wilson and Keith Holcombe will be competition with Rashaan Evans and Shaun Dion Hamilton (coming off an ACL injury) back in starting roles.

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DL LaBryan Ray

Just about everybody on the list was enrolled for spring football. Ray wasn’t, but he’s entering a defensive line that’s taken a few hits from the NFL draft the last two seasons. How quickly he learns the playbook will again be key, though he can ease in with specialty packages before becoming full time. One thing is clear, this defensive line needs reinforcements without players like Jonathan Allen and Dalvin Tomlinson.

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OL Alex Leatherwood

A recruit with similar hype as Cam Robinson and Jonah Williams, Leatherwood didn’t exit spring practice with a first-team tackle position. It also didn’t seem like the right side of the line was resolved after the 15 workouts with Lester Cotton (guard) and Matt Womack (tackle) getting those snaps on A-Day. The freshman from Pensacola dropped five pounds to 322 on the newest roster.

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K Joseph Bulovas

Predicting success of kickers transitioning from high school to college is about as inexact as it gets. Andy Pappanastos returns after backing up Adam Griffith, though long kicks don’t seem like they’re in his comfort zone. It could be something similar to Cade Foster kicking the long ones and Jeremy Shelly the shorter ones like in the 2011 era. It all comes down to how quickly Bulovas gains comfort and confidence to kick that this level. He was not on campus for spring practice.

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LS Thomas Fletcher

The field goal battery will get a complete overhaul from long snapper to holder and kicker. Fletcher would be the guy starting the process with the snap. Not many at his position get scholarships. His predecessor, Cole Mazza, started four straight years after getting the full ride. That seems like a safe expectation here, too.

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QB Tua Tagovailoa

Slow down. Jalen Hurts remains the starter. Still, Saban said he expected the Hawaiian rookie would see the playing field as a true freshman. At the very least, he gives Alabama more depth at the position than appeared to be the case in recent years of competition.

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A few others

DL Phidarian Mathis: Depth is needed on the line.

TE Major Tennison: New OC has tight end history and Alabama needs to replace O.J. Howard.

WR Tyrell Shavers: You don't get 6-foot-6 receivers every day.

RB Brian Robinson: Impressive in the spring, he faces the same crowded backfield as Najee Harris.

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