By Michael Casagrande
sports@decaturdaily.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Dont’a Hightower knew the Alabama depth chart was out there. He just hadn’t seen it before taking a peek at a reporter’s copy Monday.
With several positions up for grabs, including a few at linebacker, Hightower couldn’t resist a quick peek at the list even if his starting job wasn’t one in doubt heading into Saturday’s opener against San Jose State.
The name that popped out to Hightower was Chavis Williams, who worked his way into at the starting role at the outside linebacker known as the “Sam.”
“A lot of people don’t know anything about him,” Hightower said. “He’s a great linebacker. He played behind a couple of good linebackers since he’s been here. He played behind Cory Reamer the last two seasons. I’m glad they’re finally giving Chavis the chance to come out and show what he’s capable of.”
Williams joins Luther Davis as the only seniors on the first-team defense, and his understanding of the system had much to do with his starting spot, coach Nick Saban said.
In the end, deciding whom to slot where wasn’t that difficult, Saban said.
“It’s been ongoing since spring practice and all of the 20-some practices we’ve had to this point to sort of get a feel for this,” Saban said.
Every position has a starter designated except for the punters and place-kickers. Each of those spots has “or” between the top two names. At place-kicker, sophomore Jeremy Shelley and Cade Foster are the options, and Saban previously said using both situationally isn’t out of the question. Punters Cody Mandell and Jay Williams both are true freshmen.
The other eye-catching name atop his position in Monday’s depth chart was Marcell Dareus. Still without word of his eligibility ruling from the NCAA, the Crimson Tide are operating under the assumption he’ll be clear to play Saturday after the investigation into his summer trip to Miami and possible connections to a sports agent.
A year ago, the NCAA issued its ruling involving a similar case with Mark Ingram and Julio Jones on the Wednesday before the opener against Virginia Tech.
Junior college transfer DeQuan Menzie battled through several preseason injuries to grab one of the two cornerback jobs along with sophomore Dre Kirkpatrick. Robert Lester won a starting job at free safety, beating out Jarrick Williams and walk-on Will Lowery, who were named co-backups.
Offensively, Chance Warmack (left guard), D.J. Fluker (right tackle) and Michael Williams (tight end) were the only new starters since the core of last year’s group returned.