With Alabama’s beatdown on LSU, the 2011 college football season is officially over. However, It is never too early to look ahead to the 2012 season.
Alabama has some key players graduating, and with Trent Richardson, Dre Kirkpatrick and Dont’a Hightower leaving school early for the draft, there are a lot of holes on both sides of the ball.
The Crimson Tide will be looking to defend their title next year, so Nick Saban and the coaching staff will be looking for young players to step and contribute. And the returning juniors and seniors will be expected to lead the team to another great season.
Here are 11 returning players who will be vital to the Crimson Tide’s success next year.