Alabama loses Class of 2015 RB Desherrius Flowers on eligibility issue
Written by Ryan Wright
The Alabama backfield continues to get thinner after the announced loss of Class of 2015 running back Desherrius Flowers due to eligibility issues on Wednesday.
Flowers, 6’1”, 211 pounds, was one of two running backs the Crimson Tide signed to add depth to their stable of talented tailbacks and one of many highly ranked prospects coming onto campus. The former Vigor High School (Mobile) star was also one of eight recruits that early enrolled onto the Tuscaloosa campus going through spring ball practices with the Crimson Tide in hopes of potential early playing time after Altee Tenpenny transferred to UNLV, Tyren Jones was dismissed from the team after a drug arrest, and an ACL injury that will likely sideline Bo Scarbrough for at least the first part of the 2015 season.
Alabama also lost their starting running back T.J. Yeldon (979 yards, 11 TDs) as an early entry to the NFL Draft (Jacksonville Jaguars). The team’s third leading rusher, quarterback Blake Sims (350 yards, 7 TDs) is also gone after using all of his collegiate eligibility.
The good news is the Crimson Tide’s leading rusher from 2014 returns, Derrick Henry (990 yards, 11 TDs). Joining Henry in the backfield is 5-star recruit Damien Harris. Harris was widely considered the top running back in the nation out of Madison Southern in Berea, Kentucky. Bama head coach Nick Saban is also counting on the return of playmaker Kenyan Drake. Drake was limited to 112 yards in 2014 after suffering a broken leg against Mississippi.
Flowers was a longtime commitment to the class announcing on April 15, 2013 his intention to play for Alabama.
Alabama 2015 Commitment List
S/WR Shawn Burgess-Becker, 6’0”, 194 lbs, Monarch HS, Coconut Creek, Florida
CB Montrell Custis, 6’0”, 175 lbs, Lovejoy HS, Hampton, Georgia
CB Minkah Fitzpatrick, 6’0”, 188 lbs, St. Peter’s Prep, Jersey City, New Jersey
S Ronnie Harrison, 6’2”, 192 lbs, Florida St. Univ., Tallahassee, Florida
CB Rico McGraw, 6’0”, 180 lbs, Ensworth HS, Nashville, Tennessee
CB Kendall Sheffield, 6’0”, 181 lbs, Fort Bend Marshall, Missouri City, Texas
S Deionte Thompson, 6’1”, 175 lbs, West Orange-Stark, Orange, Texas
DE Christian Bell, 6’3”, 216 lbs, Hoover HS, Hoover, Alabama
DE Mekhi Brown, 6’5”, 217 lbs, Carver HS, Columbus, Georgia
DE Anfernee Jennings, 6’3”, 260 lbs, Dadeville HS, Dadeville, Alabama
DE D.J. Pettway, 6’3”, 255 lbs, East Mississippi C.C., Scooba, Mississippi
DT T.D. Moton, 6’2”, 303 lbs, Woodlawn HS, Shreveport, Louisiana
DT Daron Payne, 6’2”, 335 lbs, Shades Valley, Birmingham, Alabama
DT Jonathan Taylor, 6’4”, 335 lbs, Copiah-Lincoln C.C., Wesson, Mississippi
LB Keaton Anderson, 6’0”, 208 lbs, Florence HS, Florence, Alabama
LB Joshua McMillon, 6’3”, 246 lbs, Whitehaven HS, Memphis, Tennessee
LB Adonis Thomas, 6’3”, 219 lbs, Central Gwinnett, Lawrenceville, Georgia
OT Lester Cotton, 6’4”, 321 lbs, Central HS, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
OG Brandon Kennedy, 6’2”, 293 lbs, Wetumpka HS, Wetumpka, Alabama
OG Richie Petitbon, 6’3”, 309 lbs, Gonzaga HS, Washington D.C.
OG Dallas Warmack, 6’2”, 306 lbs, Mays HS, Atlanta, Georgia
OT Matt Womack, 6’7”, 330 lbs, Magnolia Heights, Senatobia, Mississippi
QB Blake Barnett, 6’4”, 198 lbs, Santiago HS, Corona, California
RB Desherrius Flowers, 6’0”, 212 lbs, Vigor HS, Prichard, Alabama
RB Damien Harris, 5’11”, 205 lbs, Madison Souther, Berea, Kentucky
TE Hale Hentges, 6’4”, 228 lbs, Helias HS, Jefferson City, Missouri
WR Daylon Charlot, 6’0”, 193 lbs, Patterson HS, Patterson, Louisiana
WR Calvin Ridley, 6’0”, 178 lbs, Monarch HS, Coconut Creek, Florida
Photo credit: al.com; No. 28 Desherrius Flowers picks up big yards for Vigor.