Could Foster finally be the big hero? (Photo-Touchdown Alabama Magazine)

Who Could Be Alabama’s Big Surprise Player Against Clemson?

By: Larry Burton

Remember when poor O.J. Howard spent seasons being almost a waste of receiving talent only to burst onto the forefront of national talk and exposure after lighting it up in the playoffs? Well, lightning strikes like that aren’t uncommon. Often players who were never looked upon as being a game makers or opponent back breakers.

So let’s take a look at some of the little used or heretofore non superstar status players who could be this year’s big surprise and why in no particular order.

Robert Foster – Receiver – Here’s a senior with great hands, fantastic speed and shift moves. He’s been a star in waiting for years just waiting for the right moment to finally show his full potential. He’s caught less than one pass per game, has only caught one touchdown pass this year, so Clemson won’t be watching him as tightly as they will the others. If they’ve been saving him for his big moment, it’s now or never.

I’ve always been a big Foster fan and know what he’s capable of and nothing would make me happier on a personal note to see him finally go out in a big splash.

Levi Wallace – Cornerback – Never made it as a real starter until his senior season. A former walk on who waited so patiently for his time in the sun. He’s had some good games this season and has even snagged three interceptions so far this season, but he’s far from being the real headliner in the defensive backfield.

Clemson is not going to want to throw in an area that Minkah Fitzpatrick is patrolling and Saban has enough confidence in Wallace to hang him out one on one against the best receiver Clemson has. Clemson may take that bait and Wallace may have the chance to make what could be the game winning moment by snagging yet another interception.

Josh Jacobs – Third String Running Back – OK, he’s certainly not unknown and he has been used to great results in his first two years, but he’s been secondary to the big numbers that Damien Harris has put up and the splash that Bo Scarbrough makes when he has a big day. Each of those other two running backs have their own styles. Harris is the quick burst into the secondary and he’s gone kind of runner and Scarbrough is the bullish get that first down / touchdown kind of running back when you need those last few yards.

Jacobs is a combination of both those kinds of styles but with the hands of the most talented receiver too. This could be the game that Jacobs gets used in slot, used coming out of the backfield, or lined up as a second running back and bust one wide open. I can see Jacobs getting his chance and busting it wide open.

Hale Hentges – Tight End – He’s like another tackle out there most of the time blocking, blocking, blocking. They’ve thrown to him an average of one pass every two games. But if you think that Dabo is going to get burned by the tight end again by ignoring him, you’re wrong. It will take Alabama lulling the Clemson defensive players into looking other ways and then striking at the right moment.

While Hentges doesn’t have O.J. Howard’s open field speed, he has great hands so while he might not take a 15 yard pass and run it 70 yards for a touchdown, he could certainly burn them for touchdowns in the red zone and in big third down situations. He’s one you better keep an eye on.

Linebackers Mack Wilson and or Christian Miller – Linebackers – Both of these linebackers were to have have some standout moments, some game breaking moments and big headlines this season. Instead the biggest headlines they got this season were about their injuries.

They have been taking the time, putting in the work in the film room, the rehab room and on the practice fields since then and they are more than ready to finally make the impact they were supposed to have all season long.

One or both of these players could be the star of this game with a hit in the backfield that causes a fumble, that picks off a critical pass, that keeps Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant frustrated all night long, either by keeping him from using his legs to extend drives or forcing him to make throws before he’s ready.

They’ll be playing with a chip on their shoulder and though they got their feet wet in the Auburn game, neither was quite 100% and with another month off, they’ll be more than ready come playoff time.

Larry has been published in almost every media outlet for college sports and now primarily writes here for Touchdown Alabama. Follow Larry on Twitter for inside thoughts and game time comments at https://twitter.com/LBSportswriter

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