Alabama Crimson Tide

During the summer, TideNation will analyze each of the scholarship players on the Alabama roster -- excluding the Tide's 2013 recruiting class -- in our Crimson Countdown series. Starting with No. 1 Dee Hart, we will go through the roster numerically, finishing with No. 99 Brandon Ivory.

No. 3 Vinnie Sunseri
Junior safety

Expectations for 2013: It's not a make-or-break year for Sunseri, but it's awfully close. A standout as a freshman in 2011, he took a step back as a sophomore, faltering in coverage a few too many times in key games. It was a clear indication again of where the junior's talents lie: in space, not one-on-one against a speedier receiver. Expect Sunseri to compete for a starting job but get rotated out depending on the situation. If it's a running team and he's needed near the line of scrimmage, he'll play significant reps. If it's a passing team that goes four- and five-wide, then he could be used sparingly.

Best-case scenario: He's got the experience and he has the trust of the coaching staff. For that alone, he'll have a leg up on Landon Collins for the starting safety spot opposite Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix. Sunseri has seen action in 27 of 27 games in his career, and he's shown in that time that he's capable of being a playmaker on the field. We've seen his nose for the football on special teams and we've seen it from a utility role on defense. The question is whether he can become a contributor on every down.

Worst-case scenario: The talent disparity between Collins and Sunseri is obvious. And while player rankings can be overrated, the difference between the No. 1 safety in his class and the No. 18 outside linebacker is fairly significant. Collins, of course, is the former in that scenario and Sunseri the latter, and this spring we got to see why as the former five-star prospect from Louisiana made big play after big play at A-Day. He'll push Sunseri and fellow safety Nick Perry for the starting job throughout the fall.

Future impact: Whether it's as a starter or a reserve, Sunseri will have an impact on the Tide for the next two seasons. What he does on special teams and from a leadership standpoint cannot be overvalued. There might be more talented guys on the roster, but the experience Sunseri brings to the table will be enough to keep him on the field in some form or fashion.

During the summer, TideNation will analyze each of the scholarship players on the Alabama roster -- excluding the Tide's 2013 recruiting class -- in our Crimson Countdown series. Starting with No. 1 Dee Hart, we will go through the roster numerically, finishing with No. 99 Brandon Ivory.

No. 2 DeAndrew White
Junior wide receiver

Expectations for 2013: If he hadn't been hurt, White might still be starting alongside Kevin Norwood at receiver, as he did for the first five games last season. But a major knee injury sustained against Ole Miss cost the talented junior his season and opened the door for Amari Cooper to break into the starting rotation, where he developed into the most prolific rookie at the position in school history. Even though the possibility of becoming a starter again seems minute, it doesn't mean White won't be a major contributor on offense. After a strong spring in which he showed he's close to 100 percent again, it's safe to say he'll have an opportunity to be among the first receivers off the bench.

Best-case scenario: White will see the field plenty and could break back into the starting rotation in the likely event of an injury during the course of the season. (SEC defenses aren't kind, and the position has had its fair share of durability issues in years past.) White, if healthy, is a guy who can stretch the field and allow offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier to go three, four or five wide any time because of the depth he and his fellow receivers will provide.

Worst-case scenario: Depth cuts both ways, though, as White won't be the only reserve with starting potential. Kenny Bell, Chris Black, Christion Jones and Raheem Falkins will all vie for time this season as well, leaving White as high as third on the depth chart or as low as seventh depending on how things shake out. The thing fighting against White is his lack of a niche skill. He doesn't have elite size like Falkins or superior speed like Bell, Black or Jones. But as a guy like Norwood can attest, the game is about more than measureables.

Future impact: White should be a steady contributor for Alabama over the next two seasons. When Norwood and Bell graduate after this year, an opportunity to start will again open up. But again, there will be plenty of contention from others, including the No. 2 receiver in the ESPN 150, Robert Foster.

In this week's SEC Official Visit, we talk about a trio of big commits for the Auburn Tigers, and a top QB decides to stay home in Kentucky.

During the summer, TideNation will analyze each of the scholarship players on the Alabama roster -- excluding the Tide's 2013 recruiting class -- in our Crimson Countdown series. Starting with No. 1 Dee Hart, we will go through the roster numerically, finishing with No. 99 Brandon Ivory.

No. 1 Dee Hart
Redshirt sophomore running back

Expectations for 2013: Until he proves he can get to 100 percent and stay there, it's hard to determine just what kind of impact he'll have on the football field. He does have a unique skill set, though, with the speed to get outside the tackles and the hands to catch the ball out of the backfield. Simply put, he's a scatback in a room full of bruisers. But it's also a crowded rotation with T.J. Yeldon, Kenyan Drake and Jalston Fowler all vying for carries. The addition of early enrollee Derrick Henry further complicates things, and it's conceivable that one of the three incoming freshmen at the position creates a role for himself as well.

Best-case scenario: Offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier can get creative with Hart if he chooses. In addition to being a threat in the return game, Hart could be a weapon on third down and a possibility to split out as a wide receiver at times, something Alabama hasn't done much of in years past. He may not be a guy the defense circles in the running game, but he's someone it will have to account for as a pass-catcher. However, Hart's biggest asset might be his knowledge of the system and his ability to pass protect, something Yeldon struggled with at times last season and something the younger backs will have to pick up quickly.

Worst-case scenario: Hart isn't someone the staff should rely on this season. You can't ignore back-to-back major knee operations. And even if he finds a way to stay healthy, there are still questions whether or not he'll have the same burst that made him such a highly regarded prospect coming out of high school.

Future impact: A few carries per game a significant role on special teams looks to be Hart's future at Alabama for the time being. After a spring spent learning the ropes on defense, there's also a real possibility that he could transition to cornerback in the event of a few injuries at that position.

Edward Aschoff talks with Alabama coach Nick Saban about the Crimson Tide after spring practice.

John Saunder gives his take on Texas, Alabama, LSU, Florida, Florida State and other schools offering eighth-grader Dylan Moses a scholarship.