Forget William Shatner. Alabama head coach Nick Saban is the ultimate negotiator.
A few days after capturing his fourth national title at Alabama, Saban talked Tim Williams, Ryan Anderson and Jonathan Allen all into returning in 2016 for their senior seasons.
Williams, a native of Baton Rouge, La., was given a late first-to-early second round draft grade. Allen, a defensive end, was projected as the fifth best defensive lineman in the draft.
Coming back to school another year.. Still a lot of stuff I want to accomplish #roadto17
— . (@Anderson_365) January 14, 2016
Let the hunt for 17 begin #WonAsOne
— Jonathan Allen (@jonallen93_) January 16, 2016
Coming back to play with my brothers. We can win this thing again baby!! RTR.
— $icario🐉 (@JaYbOi225) January 13, 2016
The trio combined for 28.5 of Alabama’s 52 sacks. Allen led the bunch with 12 sacks, while Williams fell second at 10.5. Anderson doubled his output from 2014, bringing in six sacks.
Saban and the Crimson Tide will lose A’Shawn Robinson, Reggie Ragland, Jarran Reed and D.J. Pettway to the NFL Draft, yet the return of Allen, Anderson and Williams should provide its defense with much stability.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
