2016 Alabama Preseason Football Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: Junior year
See Spanish Fort's Josh Peoples in action last season

1. Spanish Fort
Head coach: Ben Blackmon
2015 record: 15-0
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After winning their fourth state championship in just six years, the Toros will ride their 15-game winning streak in an attempt to repeat in 2016. With their starting quarterback, star running back and top receiver all graduating last year, the Toros will have to hand the torch to seniors Josh Peoples and Logan Morgan to lead their offensive charge.

Nonetheless, second-year head coach Ben Blackmon will be able to lean on senior defensive end Justin Thomas, a Class 6A all-state choice last season with offers from Alabama and Tennessee, to man the defensive line. Alongside Thomas will be senior linebacker Thomas Johnston, who led his region with 103 tackles and three interceptions. Not far behind Johnston with 115 tackles was teammate Colt Steiner, who will also return at linebacker for Spanish Fort.

While the offense may have long hours of film to watch and youthful mistakes to learn from, the Toros' star-studded defense is more than enough reason to hand them the throne once again in Alabama.

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2. Clay-Chalkville (Pinson)
Head coach: Jerry Hood
2015 record:15-1
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It would have been more than reasonable to give the No. 1 ranking to Clay-Chalkville rather than Spanish Fort. In fact, the Cougars have lost just one game since 2014, which just happened to be the 2015 6A state championship game against that same Spanish Fort team. Coach Jerry Hood and the boys will be hungry to avenge their 30-game winning streak and championship defeat.

Nico Collins is one of the top receivers in the country, as he caught 60 passes to tally 1,103 receiving yards last season, which was good for sixth among all of Class 6A. Opposing quarterbacks will have to be wary of defensive tackle Keilend Clayton, who is one of the best in the region. While the Cougars have a big hole to fill at the quarterback position, whomever coach Hood decides to put back in the pocket should feel comfortable and protected with Eddie Rox leading the offensive line.

It would not be surprising to see a rematch of last season's championship game with Spanish Fort, but the outcome is what is unpredictable with so much talent on both squads.

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3. James Clemens (Madison)
Head coach: Wade Waldrop
2015 record: 10-2
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James Clemens may be the biggest surprise on the list, given that it lost in the second round of the Class 7A state playoffs last season. However, as far as raw talent and football prowess is concerned, the Jets have the potential to be the top team in the state.

Joseph Arias, who took over the starting position last year, will return at quarterback. Devon Atkinson is back after leading Region 4 with 1,360 yards and 10 total touchdowns as a sophomore, and their top receiver, Torolla Walker, who also led Region 4 with his 465 receiving yards, will join them.

Opposing defensive coordinators may want to keep their tight ends inside as extra blockers because the Jets defense has three of the top recruits from Alabama returning. The big 247-pound LaBryan Ray, who is expected to accept a scholarship from Alabama, will man the defensive line. Right behind Ray will be the two-headed monster linebacker tandem of Monty Rice and John Jenkins.

The Jets were young and talented last year. This year, they are bigger, stronger and more experienced. Look out for James Clemens.

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4. McGill-Toolen (Mobile)
Head coach: Caleb Ross
2015 record: 13-1
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The Yellowjackets were ranked as high as No. 2 in the state in 2015 and are the defending Class 7A state champions, but they sit in a similar boat as Spanish Fort. With much of their offense having graduated, they now turn to senior Bubba Thompson to lead the squad.

Fortunately for coach Ross, Thompson is a pro-style quarterback with the intellect and understanding to make smart decisions, which a young offense will be in dire need of. Thompson will be able to hand the ball off to Trey Roberson, a short but quick back who can break apart defenses, and have the option of throwing to speedy wide receiver and USC commit Marlon Williams. Coach Ross will look to yet another Yellowjacket Division 1 talent in Trè Young to take care of the defensive backfield.

McGill-Toolen may have graduated a high quantity of players, but definitely did not lose too many of its quality players.

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5. Spain Park (Hoover)
Head coach: Shawn Raney
2015 record: 12-2
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A fast and powerful game on the ground and hard-hitting defense could not prevail over McGill-Toolen in their 2015 Class 7A championship loss. With that being said, their cross-town rival, Hoover, lost much of its talent and the Jaguars of Spain Park can take advantage of a possible youthful year for arguably one of their biggest competitors in 7A.

The Jaguars will be leaning on dynamic senior running back Larry Wooden, who led his team with 11 total touchdowns and is weighing offers from multiple Division 1 schools. The Jags will also look to their seniors in defensive end Douglas Henze and linebacker Houston Hollis to lead them to a state championship for the first time in school history.

Last season's team proved it could beat the best of them, and now this season's team will be as confident as ever before.