Crimson Red Sports

Alabama has nine returning starters on defense, many of them four- and five-star recruits whom Nick Saban and his staff have groomed into starring roles. Safety Robert Lester of Foley, Ala., didn’t attract a lot of attention in high school. Last season, he led the Southeastern Conference with eight interceptions.

On the ESPNU College Football podcast on Tuesday, I asked Saban what he and his staff saw in Lester.

"When we look at players, we have critical factors that we look at for every position,” Saban said. “And for defensive backs, it’s ball skills, tackling and can you judge the ball in the deep part of the field? Robert Lester really played corner in high school and was probably speed deficient for that position. But had good enough size that we thought he could play safety. He lacked in none of the critical factors.”

http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/25222/nick-saban-breaks-down-robert-lester

Didn't he come in the JJ package deal? You have to believe he rec'd some great experience over the last 6-7 years defending in practice against JJ. What say you, pmull? That question is up your (D-back) alley.

On a side note/question, didn't Mark Barron lead the SEC in INTs the year before?

The Bama coaches discovered Lester while recruiting JJ. Lester is a big guy and makes plays. With only 25 scholarships to give out you do not get one by riding the coattail of a star player.

Barron lead the SEC with 7 INTs in 2009. Lester lead the SEC in INTs last year with 8. A lot of people think they were avoiding Barron and that helped Lester. That may be true but I like the pair of safety's we will put on the field this year. The walk on Lowery is not bad either.

I think with RL and MB back there they cannot pick either one to throw against so our Corners have to play up to par. This will be the most demanding DB in the SEC and maybe even the country. Robert will do well I believe. RTR!