Alabama Crimson Tide: Duron Carter
Five-star talent doesn't always equate to star-studded results on the football field. Every so often a player fails to reach his full potential. Whether it's a lack of effort in the weight room, a lack of understanding on the practice field, or something as simple as the wrong fit systematically, misses are bound to occur. With that in mind, we'll take a look back at the recruiting classes since 2006 and determine who were some of the biggest misses.
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Notes: Foster a boon to Alabama once more
September, 18, 2012
9/18/12
9:01
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By
Alex Scarborough | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- It's wasn't that long ago that Cade Foster was the butt of jokes, widely viewed as the reason the University of Alabama didn't go undefeated in 2011. His three missed field goals against LSU on Nov. 5 nearly cost the Crimson Tide a shot at the national championship.
Clearly, Foster's errors in the kicking game weren't the death knell to Alabama's season. A 14th national title made its way to Tuscaloosa nonetheless.
Still, the junior kicker felt he had work to do after the season had ended. He had trust to rebuild and an attitude to redevelop.
Clearly, Foster's errors in the kicking game weren't the death knell to Alabama's season. A 14th national title made its way to Tuscaloosa nonetheless.
Still, the junior kicker felt he had work to do after the season had ended. He had trust to rebuild and an attitude to redevelop.
Duron Carter practices for Florida Atlantic
August, 4, 2012
8/04/12
8:51
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By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
Former Ohio State and Alabama receiver Duron Carter has transferred to Florida Atlantic.
FAU athletic department spokeswoman Katrina McCormack told the Associated Press that Carter practiced with the Owls on Saturday.
Carter caught 13 passes as a true freshman for Ohio State in 2009 and transferred to a junior college after academic issues. He then transferred to Alabama, but was unable to become eligible there and never played.
Carter, the son of former NFL and Ohio State star Cris Carter, has not yet been cleared to play for FAU this season by the NCAA.
FAU athletic department spokeswoman Katrina McCormack told the Associated Press that Carter practiced with the Owls on Saturday.
Carter caught 13 passes as a true freshman for Ohio State in 2009 and transferred to a junior college after academic issues. He then transferred to Alabama, but was unable to become eligible there and never played.
Carter, the son of former NFL and Ohio State star Cris Carter, has not yet been cleared to play for FAU this season by the NCAA.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- After roughly three months of waiting, the Crimson Tide were back on the practice field for the start of preseason camp on Friday morning. Veterans took the field in the morning and the younger players at night.
As previously reported, Duron Carter is no longer with the team. He is not in the official media guide but the university has not released an official statement yet.
Now that we have that small bit of housekeeping out of the way, here are a few observations from the morning practice:
As previously reported, Duron Carter is no longer with the team. He is not in the official media guide but the university has not released an official statement yet.
Now that we have that small bit of housekeeping out of the way, here are a few observations from the morning practice:
- Eddie Lacy looked to be back to his normal self, making all the cuts after offseason surgery kept him out of spring practice. The presumptive starter at running back didn't look hindered by a foot problem that bothered him throughout last season.
- D.J. Fluker is in much better shape than he was toward the end of last season and during spring practice. He looks to have trimmed his waistline significantly, shedding some much-needed pounds. That will help him both in athleticism, going up against speed-rushers, and also in the injury department, alleviating some of the wear and tear caused by extra pounds.
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SEC position rankings: WRs/TEs
July, 11, 2012
7/11/12
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By
Edward Aschoff and
Chris Low | ESPN.com
AP Photo/Wade PayneJustin Hunter (11) and Da'Rick Rogers (21) are considered to be the best receiving duo in the SEC.Past rankings:
On to the league's wide receiver/tight end groups:
1. Tennessee: The Vols are equipped with two of the top wideouts in the league with Da'Rick Rogers, who was second in the SEC in receiving last year, and Justin Hunter, who might be the SEC's top deep threat. It sounds like Hunter will be 100 percent this fall after his ACL injury last year. Junior college transfer Cordarrelle Patterson is big, fast and possesses the big-play gene. The speedy Zach Rogers is back and is so is talented tight end Mychal Rivera.
2. Arkansas: Cobi Hamilton is now Arkansas' primary receiver, and he might be the league's most complete wideout. He can make the big-play and elude defenders along the way. While Marquel Wade's status is still unclear, if he does return, he'll be a major lift for this offense because of his playmaking ability in the slot. Julian Horton and Javontee Herndon have always impressed coaches in practice and now will get their chances to in games. Tight end Chris Gragg should be even more involved and is the league's top tight end.
3. Georgia: While Malcolm Mitchell could go back and forth between receiver and corner, when he's at receiver he's Georgia's top offensive threat and was one of the league's best as a rookie. There are vets behind him, starting with reliable senior Tavarres King, who had a very good spring, senior Marlon Brown, who seemed to take a big step in his game this spring. Sophomores Michael Bennett and Chris Conley combined for 48 catches for 608 yards and seven touchdowns last year. Unproven tight ends Arthur Lynch and Jay Rome will replace Orson Charles and Aron White.
McCarron can allow Saban to throw more
April, 20, 2012
4/20/12
12:46
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By
Edward Aschoff | ESPN.com
ATLANTA -- Don't be fooled by Alabama coach Nick Saban's love for pounding opposing defenses with a powerful running game. The man would like to air it out a little more.
But when you have bruising running backs like Glen Coffee, Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson, it's tough not to just hand them the rock and watch them hurt people.
However, those backs are gone, and while heir to the running back throne Eddie Lacy appears more than capable of running down defenders' throats, Saban now has more of the pieces in place to get a little more vertical in his attack on defenses.
"I feel like you gotta do on offense what you have the players to do," Saban said in Atlanta Thursday during his second stop on the Crimson Caravan. "Now … we have a quarterback that I think is very capable, as long as he makes good decisions and judgments in terms of how he distributes the ball and doesn't turn it over."
That quarterback is redshirt junior AJ McCarron, who was named offensive MVP of the Allstate BCS National Championship Game and finished the 2011 season ranking third in the SEC in passing.
McCarron has all the tools to be a real star in the SEC, but he rarely looked flashy in his first year as a starter. He managed the game like his coach asked him to. There were times where he let it rip (the national title game rings a bell and so does the second half of the Tennessee game), but for the most part his job was to limit mistakes and lead the offense.
But when you have bruising running backs like Glen Coffee, Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson, it's tough not to just hand them the rock and watch them hurt people.
[+] Enlarge
Spruce Derden/US PresswireAlabama coach Nick Saban said he's still preaching patience to QB AJ McCarron.
"I feel like you gotta do on offense what you have the players to do," Saban said in Atlanta Thursday during his second stop on the Crimson Caravan. "Now … we have a quarterback that I think is very capable, as long as he makes good decisions and judgments in terms of how he distributes the ball and doesn't turn it over."
That quarterback is redshirt junior AJ McCarron, who was named offensive MVP of the Allstate BCS National Championship Game and finished the 2011 season ranking third in the SEC in passing.
McCarron has all the tools to be a real star in the SEC, but he rarely looked flashy in his first year as a starter. He managed the game like his coach asked him to. There were times where he let it rip (the national title game rings a bell and so does the second half of the Tennessee game), but for the most part his job was to limit mistakes and lead the offense.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The University of Alabama began the final week of spring practice Tuesday, taking to the field under partly cloudy skies, and just for good measure, a few drops of rain.
The Crimson Tide will practice Thursday before heading into Bryant-Denny Stadium for the annual A-Day scrimmage on Saturday.
Here are a few notes and observations from Tuesday's media viewing period of today's practice:
The Crimson Tide will practice Thursday before heading into Bryant-Denny Stadium for the annual A-Day scrimmage on Saturday.
Here are a few notes and observations from Tuesday's media viewing period of today's practice:
- Brent Calloway remains at H-back this week. The former running back turned linebacker was switched to H-back last week and the move has seemed to stick -- for now.
- Alphonse Taylor also remains at his new spot on the offensive line after switching there from nose guard. It's been fun watching Taylor learn the position. He certainly has the size and strength to move the pile as a true freshman, but he's still getting a hang of the technique.
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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The University of Alabama hit the practice field for the 11th time this spring on Wednesday.
And in two days, the Tide will move back into Bryant-Denny Stadium for the second scrimmage of the offseason.
But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, here are a few notes from the media viewing period of Wednesday's practice.
And in two days, the Tide will move back into Bryant-Denny Stadium for the second scrimmage of the offseason.
But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, here are a few notes from the media viewing period of Wednesday's practice.
- To get the housecleaning out of the way, there was once again no sign of Duron Carter today. Carter has not practiced all spring, and there has been no indication of his status changing anytime soon.
- Arie Kouandjio and Blake Sims were back on the training bikes. Kouandjio is not expected to practice this spring. Sims injured his hip over spring break and has not practiced in the two weeks since.
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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- There were a few more players with ankles taped up as the Crimson Tide began their fourth week of spring practice on Monday.
The nicks and bruises were to be expected after Saturday's scrimmage, the first of the spring.
Under a bright sky and mid-80s temperatures, the University of Alabama went back to work with just two weeks remaining before A-Day. Here are a few observations from today's practice:
The nicks and bruises were to be expected after Saturday's scrimmage, the first of the spring.
Under a bright sky and mid-80s temperatures, the University of Alabama went back to work with just two weeks remaining before A-Day. Here are a few observations from today's practice:
- In what has become a normal bit of housecleaning, there was no Duron Carter sighting at practice. The enigmatic receiver has not practiced all spring.
- Also, Arie Kouandjio and Blake Sims were once again on the training bikes as they recover from injuries. Kouandjio is recovering from surgery while Sims is slowly working his way back after injuring his hip over spring break.
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Spring practice: Moving to Bryant-Denny 
March, 31, 2012
3/31/12
2:52
PM ET
By
Alex Scarborough | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The University of Alabama worked in Bryant-Denny Stadium for the first time this spring on Saturday afternoon.
The Tide will hold their first scrimmage which the media is not permitted to watch.
We did, however, get a few minutes to watch the Tide run through drills prior to the start of the scrimmage. Here are a few observations:
The Tide will hold their first scrimmage which the media is not permitted to watch.
We did, however, get a few minutes to watch the Tide run through drills prior to the start of the scrimmage. Here are a few observations:
- Again, Duron Carter was not in attendance. He has not worked out with the team all spring.
- T.J. Yeldon was sporting the same brace/wrap on his left wrist as he went through running back drills.
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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- For the first time this spring, the University of Alabama had to move practice indoors because of rain.
The slight drizzle kept the Tide off the larger outdoor facility but didn't prevent them from moving full steam ahead with the offseason program.
Here are a few notes and observations from today's media viewing period:
The slight drizzle kept the Tide off the larger outdoor facility but didn't prevent them from moving full steam ahead with the offseason program.
Here are a few notes and observations from today's media viewing period:
- Once again, Blake Sims was in a black no-contact jersey while riding a training bicycle. The sophomore running back injured his hip during spring break playing basketball and has not practiced since. He was joined by Arie Kouandjio, who is expected to miss the entirety of spring practice.
- For the second straight practice, Eddie Lacy was nowhere to be seen during the media viewing period. The junior running back is recovering from offseason surgery and is not expected to participate in spring practice. It's important to note that Lacy was at Alabama's second pro day yesterday without the boot that he's worn on his foot for several weeks.
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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The Crimson Tide were once again in pads on the practice field Wednesday, the seventh practice of the spring calendar.
The weather has picked up and so has the intensity. Coaches are installing more and more, and players are responding.
Here are a few observations during the media viewing period of practice:
The weather has picked up and so has the intensity. Coaches are installing more and more, and players are responding.
Here are a few observations during the media viewing period of practice:
- Blake Sims was once again limited to the training bicycle. The sophomore running back injured his hip over spring break and has worn a black no-contact jersey ever since. He was joined on the bicycles by Arie Kouandjio.
- The Duron Carter saga turned another page on Wednesday as the wide receiver was again not at practice. As reported on Monday, Carter is not listed on the Tide's online roster. No announcement has been made by the university regarding his status though.
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ABOUT TIDE NATION
Greg Ostendorf
Greg Ostendorf joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering University of Alabama football and basketball recruiting at the Tuscaloosa News and Rivals.com. Ostendorf graduated from the University of Alabama and currently resides in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Email him at gsostendorf.espn@gmail.com.
Alex Scarborough
Alex Scarborough joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering University of Alabama athletics and high school football for The Tuscaloosa News. He currently resides in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Email him at alexscarborough.espn@gmail.com.