It feels good to be a member of Alabama’s offense, especially when it is the centerpiece of a program that is heading for its 18th national championship in school history.
According to a press release from the Southeastern Conference, the league will announce its All-Freshman Team on Thursday. While the Associated Press named sophomore quarterback Tua Tagovailoa as the SEC’s Offensive Player of the Year, three more Tide players joined him for awards.
Jaylen Waddle, a native of Houston, Texas, has won SEC’s Freshman of the Year.
RELATED: UA receiver Jaylen Waddle has first 100-yard game versus SEC opponent
The 5-foot-10, 177-pound speedster was special upon his arrival to Alabama in the 2018 recruiting class as a five-star; however, his performance this season has been remarkable.
Waddle is second on the Tide in receiving with 803 yards and seven touchdowns on 41 catches through 13 games. He posted a season-high six catches versus Citadel and totaled 100 yards receiving against Louisiana (138), Tennessee (117) and Georgia (113). His 51-yard catch and acceleration for a score last week kept Alabama in the SEC title game versus the Bulldogs.
Video comes from CBS Sports
Confirmed: Jaylen Waddle is incredibly fast. pic.twitter.com/p6TgHkBVsa
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) December 1, 2018
He leads all freshman in receiving yards per game (61.8) and is fourth in the conference in yards per catch (19.6) and punt return yards (15.1). Waddle does have one punt return touchdown.
Jonah Williams, a native of Folsom, Calif., is the Jacobs Blocking Trophy winner
A three-year starter at offensive tackle, he switched over to left tackle from right tackle this season and has been dominant. Williams anchors a unit that helped the Tide average 47.9 points per game (second in nation) and 528 total yards per game (second in nation).
Behind Williams, Alabama has totaled at least 50 points in eight matchups.
Hale Hentges, a native of Jefferson City, Mo., is the SEC’s Scholar Athlete of the Year.
After graduating Magna Cum Laude in three years (3.74 GPA) for his undergraduate degree, Hentges currently holds a 4.0 grade point average in his master’s program. As a CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree, he has played in all 13 games and has brought in a pair of touchdown catches.
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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.
