The success continues for Alabama’s offense as another pivotal piece is a finalist for national honor. For Michael Locksley, the Crimson Tide’s first-year play caller joins Tua Tagovailoa, Jerry Jeudy and the offensive line for major recognition as he is one of five individuals nominated for the Broyles Award – which goes to the nation’s top assistant coach.
An announcement came Monday afternoon from the Frank and Barbara Broyles Foundation in Arkansas.
Locksley, 48, stands with Jay Bateman of Army, Jeff Scott of Clemson, Bob Shoop of Mississippi State and Chip Long of Notre Dame as a finalist. Locksley has engineered the most explosive offense of the Nick Saban era at Alabama, seeing how this year’s group surpassed the 2012 team (542) for most points in a season with 588.
He has mentored Tagovailoa into being the favorite to win the Heisman Memorial Trophy – coaching him to 3,189 passing yards with 41 total touchdowns to two interceptions. The sophomore is the fourth quarterback under Saban to record a 3,000-yard passing season and he is also the school’s leader in single-season scores.
RELATED: Alabama OC Michael Locksley named semifinalist for Broyles Award
Behind Locksley, the Tide is averaging 49 points a game (most under Saban) and has tallied at least 50 points in eight games this season. His excellence behind the scenes has caused for the program’s receiving unit to have a breakout year.
Jerry Jeudy, sophomore, leads the group with 56 receptions for 1,079 yards and 11 touchdowns. The former five-star is third all-time in school history for yards and tied for second in scores (Amari Cooper, 11 in 2012) for a single-season.
Henry Ruggs III is second in scores (10) and carries 675 yards on 39 carries, while Irv Smith Jr. has seven touchdown receptions – marking the highest total for a tight end of the Saban era.
As for Jaylen Waddle, the electrifying freshman accounts for six touchdowns.
Despite having an elite passing attack, Locksley has managed to balance the Tide in producing strong rushing numbers.
Damien Harris leads all backs with 719 yards and seven touchdowns on 117 attempts. Najee Harris follows behind him with 664 rushing yards and four scores on 98 carries, and Josh Jacobs has a team-high nine rushing touchdowns in 12 regular season games.
Locksley, who has spent over 20 years coaching offense, will coordinate Alabama against a tough defensive test in Georgia this week for the Southeastern Conference title game.
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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 @CoachingMSmith.
