After receiving a small sample of college football on last week, the marquee matchups return on Saturday – including what is considered to be the best season opener of all-time with Alabama and Florida State at new Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. While the Las Vegas odds have the Crimson Tide as a seven-point favorite and multiple analysts picking the Tide to win, Seminoles’ head coach Jimbo Fisher brings a strong roster from the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Former NFL assistant Brian Daboll will have his first audition at offensive coordinator, and with a returning starter at quarterback, yours truly dives into the top five offensive players for Alabama heading into this weekend.
Irv Smith Jr, TE
Nick Saban has mentioned throughout fall practice on how Alabama will systemically use the tight end position a lot better on offense. Seeing how Daboll generated success with Aaron Hernandez, Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett of the New England Patriots, sophomore Irv Smith Jr could very well have a breakout game versus Florida State’s secondary.
In talking with former Tide quarterback Josh Palet, he said the four-star recruit carries a basketball-type body and can be critical factor in jump ball situations.
Smith played in nine games last season, despite not recording any stats.
According to the projected depth chart, Smith is second behind Hale Hentges at tight end and a starter at the tight end/H-back spot with sophomore Miller Forristall coming behind him.
Although Forristall was regarded as “O.J. Howard-like” via Saban, Smith has nearly the same frame as the rookie tight end for the Buccaneers – standing at 6-foot-4 and 246 pounds.
He brought in 31 passes for 558 receiving yards with four touchdowns during his senior year at Brother Martin High School (New Orleans, La.) in 2015 while inheriting some NFL genes from his father, Irv Smith Sr., who played for the New Orleans Saints and was a first-round pick.
Matt Womack, OL
A surging Jedrick Wills is the reason why the sophomore is on this list.
Matt Womack is not a bad option at right tackle; however, the sheer upside and capabilities of Wills put Alabama’s coaching staff in a bind to make the two co-starters at the position.
His experience through nine games in 2016 gives Womack the edge, but he’ll have to own the right side of the offensive line in each opportunity he has versus Florida State. Womack’s size – 6-foot-7 and 316 pounds – is an asset, seeing how Saban prefers his tackles to have longer arms.
Should the former three-star neutralize the likes of Brian Burns, Josh Sweat and Derrick Nnadi, the Crimson Tide will be able to dominate both sides of the line with a power rushing attack.
Robert Foster, WR
His time is now.
From the moment he signed in Alabama’s 2013 class, Tide fans believed that wide receiver Robert Foster was a “can’t miss” product. Hailing from Monaca, Pa., the former five-star prospect has taken time to learn the system and appears to be ready to have a solid impact.
A new set of offensive minds, Brian Daboll and Michael Locksley, have not only rejuvenated him but the pleadings from coaches and teammates convinced him to remain in Tuscaloosa.
He was one of the fastest receivers in spring testing (4.47 seconds, 40-time) and also proved to be the second strongest target – posting a bench press of 355 pounds. With Calvin Ridley garnering the majority of attention, the opposite side with Foster should be matchup favorable for the Crimson Tide to attack. His size, speed, hands and body control are second to none.
Damien Harris, RB
Despite how good Bo Scarbrough is and the announcement of freshman Najee Harris getting an opportunity this week, running back Damien Harris remains a five-star in his own right.
He gashed USC for 138 yards rushing on nine carries last season, including two massive runs of 73 and 46 yards. Regardless of averaging 15.3 yards per attempt, Harris was tracked down from behind by Adoree’ Jackson – negating the chance of having at least two scores to start the year.
As a draft-eligible junior, the Kentucky native will be focused on stringing together more touchdowns in order to secure a firm stock. Harris dropped some weight in the summer, and per sources he’s much faster in open space.
Jalen Hurts, QB
He was locked in even before Hurricane Harvey, but there is something about devastation when it hits home that causes an athlete to pour more of itself into a game. Sophomore Jalen Hurts will unleash his improved accuracy and timing on passes against a vaunted Seminoles defensive backfield, headlined by Tarvarus McFadden and Derwin James.
Following a season in which he won the Southeastern Conference Offensive Player of the Year and guided the Crimson Tide a conference championship, the four-star recruit and candidate for multiple preseason award lists is geared toward navigating the program to a national title.
If Alabama can have success in the run game, expect for Daboll to position Hurts in attack mode to challenge Florida State’s secondary in one-on-one situations. The returns of Calvin Ridley, Cam Sims and Robert Foster, to pair with quite a few talented freshmen, bodes well for Hurts.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
