Signee to watch: Deion Belue

As the 2012 football season draws even closer, the anticipation for the product the Crimson Tide will put on the field when it begins its title defense is growing larger. One of the key areas the Tide will have to replace vital assets is its defensive backfield with the losses Dre Kirkpatrick, Mark Barron and DeQuan Menzie.

One player that certainly gave a good first impression during his first spring in Tuscaloosa is Deion Belue. The cornerback enrolled early and contributed very nicely during the Tide’s spring practice and annual A-Day game. He and fellow junior college transfer Travell Dixon initially competed for the same spot in the rotation during the spring, but when Belue caught on a bit quicker than Dixon, it was Belue who moved up into the starting spot in dime packages.

Belue first signed with the Crimson Tide in 2010 but was forced to go the junior college route. He enrolled at Northeast Mississippi Community College and spent two years becoming a phenomenal prospect. He selected as a second-team All-American by the NJCAA after posting 24 tackles, one sack and one interception.

During the spring, Belue impressed. The 5-foot-11, 179-pounder returned an interception 93 yards for a touchdown during the Tide’s first scrimmage, and immediately began turning heads and making his teammates realize the potential he has a cornerback. As the spring developed, Belue continued to see time near the top of the two-deep at cornerback.

When fall camp opens in just a couple on months, Alabama’s secondary will probably see a lot of Belue. An entire summer to grow and dig into the Tide’s defensive playbook and an already established reputation will go a long way in helping Belue settle into his role in the Tide defense.

He worked almost exclusively in the Tide’s dime drills during the spring, but he saw time at the left cornerback spot as well as the star position. His experience in a zone-based defense in junior college will definitely help him continue to transition into the schemes Coach Nick Saban and Kirby Smart use.

It will be interesting to watch how he competes when fall camp begins. John Fulton appeared to close the spring as the Tide’s second cornerback, and Vinnie Sunseri showed ability to play the star position. If Belue makes a a push for Fulton’s spot, then he may get an easier chance to see playing time. If not, he will be a major asset for the Tide’s second-team defense and may earn playing time in certain packages throughout the season.