In 2017 five Alabama players were selected to the All-SEC team at the end of the 2017 season. At the conclusion of SEC Media Days, seven Alabama players were selected for the preseason All-SEC team. In addition to the seven Alabama players on the first team, there were three selected for the second team and four selected for the third team. In 2017 Alabama set a record of 10 players selected to the first team All-SEC preseason team. In 2018, there were seven players selected to the first team with a total of 14 players selected to the preseason team. Alabama had a total of 14 players selected with Georgia following with 12 of their players selected for the preseason SEC teams.
Alabama’s seven first-team selections include Damien Harris, Ross Pierschbacher, Jonah Williams on offense and Raekwon Davis, Anfernee Jennings, Mack Wilson, and Deionte Thompson on defense. On the second team Lester Cotton, Isaiah Buggs, Trevon Diggs were recognized while Jerry Jeudy, Trevon Diggs (as a return specialist) Dylan Moses, and Matt Womack were listed on the third team.
On offense, Pierschbaher and Williams are both multi-year starters for the Tide offense and have been responsible for blocking Jalen Hurts and running backs Bo Scarborough and Damien Harris. Damien Harris returns for his third year as the starting running back for Alabama and looks to eclipse his third 1,000-yard rushing season. If he accomplishes this feat he will be ranked in the top ten for running backs in statistics from Alabama.
Despite Alabama having only three returning starters on defense four of the starters for the 2018 season listed on the first team brings hope to Alabama fans. Mack Wilson will now become the leader of the defense after the graduation of Shaun Dion Hamilton and Rashaan Evans. Anfernee Jennings looks to become the next terror off the edge and follow in the footsteps of Tim Williams and Ryan Anderson. Raekwon Davis is the returning sack leader for Alabama and had a crucial interception in the national championship game. Look for Davis to have a huge impact this year. Deionte Thompson replaces hard-hitting free safety Ronnie Harrison and will look to continue the legacy of hard-hitting safeties.
The second and third team features the two other offensive linemen starters from the previous season and Alabama returns four starters on the offensive line. Isaiah Buggs had a tremendous season so look for him and Davis to be a threat for offenses in the middle of the defense. Dylan Moses displayed great plays as a freshman and looks to become a leader next to Mack Wilson as the top two linebackers for Alabama. Trevon Diggs will look to become the full-time return specialist and with the hire of Jeff Banks as the new special teams coordinator, Diggs could be on his way to a breakout season. With the departure of Calvin Ridley Jerry Jeudy looks poised to take over the role vacated by Ridley and become the number one receiver.
