Amari Cooper, T.J. Yeldon and Blake Sims are long gone. For that matter, so are Landon Collins and Xavier Dickson.
When the NFL draft came, both sides of the ball at Alabama became depleted. Now, the Crimson Tide need more than just one or two players to emerge, they need a few.
This week we're looking at four breakout candidates for the Crimson Tide in 2015, two on offense and two on defense.
Reuben Foster, LB, Jr.
The skinny: There's a reason Alabama and Auburn went so hard after Foster, ESPN's No. 1-rated inside linebacker in the Class of 2013. As an underclassman at Troup High in Georgia, he originally committed to the Tide. But then his coach left and he transferred to Auburn High, where shortly thereafter he flipped his commitment to Auburn. Then, the week of signing day, he flipped back. It was a wild ride that culminated with him signing his letter of intent while decked out in what can only be described as a Nick Saban costume.
But that's only the backstory, and two and a half years later that seems like a long time ago. Now, Foster is entering his junior season in Tuscaloosa after two years where his biggest impact has come on special teams. He's been a standout there, but he's also started just one game at inside linebacker in his career, filling in for a suspended Trey DePriest in last year's season-opener. All told, he's posted 34 tackles and three tackles for loss.
High expectations: Do yourself a favor and don't discount what Foster has done on special teams to this point. It's there that he's shown his best characteristics: speed, power, a nose for the football. He's been a missile running in the open field, blowing up ball-carriers left and right. And in 2015, he's expected to take those skills into a starting role at weak side linebacker.
Landon Collins successfully made the transition from special teams star to starter to All-SEC defender, so why can't Foster? He clearly has the talent, and what's more, he'll have tons of help around him. A'Shawn Robinson, Jarran Reed and the Tide's talented D-line should open up plenty of lanes into the backfield while middle linebacker Reggie Ragland, a preseason all-America favorite, will be there to direct traffic.
The only caveat to Foster is this: He has to stay healthy. So far, he's been a bit reckless when it comes to going after the football, lowering his head too often which has ended in quite a few visits with the training staff. If he can get his form under control without sacrificing his power, he'll be well on his way to a productive career.
Previous breakout candidates: