TUSCALOOSA— Alabama defensive players Minkah Fitzpatrick and Keith Holcombe are taking the teachings from their head coach, Nick Saban, and applying it in the classroom.
Both players were voted to the CoSIDA Academic All-District team on Thursday, an honor that is a first for the duo. Fitzpatrick, a sophomore, holds a 3.34 grade point average in Human Performance/Exercise Science.
He leads the secondary in interceptions (three), pass breakups (five) and sacks (1.5), while being one of five players to score a touchdown on defense. Holcombe, a junior, is also majoring in Human Performance/Exercise Science. He’s carrying a 3.69 GPA, and is a solid rotation player on defense. Holcombe has 17 tackles this season and is tied for the team lead in special teams tackles. Both he and Fitzpatrick are candidates for this year’s Academic All-America team. The Tide has seen seven Academic All-America honorees under Nick Saban, including Barrett Jones—who was the first four-time winner in CoSIDA Academic All-America history.
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 @Smsmith_TDALMag.
