It has been a strong year for the University of Alabama football program on both offense and defense, as head coach Nick Saban has mentored quite a few All-Americans.
Prior to it getting ready to face Oklahoma at Hard Rock Stadium for the College Football Playoff semifinal, the Crimson Tide has crowned two unanimous All-Americans and three consensus All-Americans for this season.
Per the NCAA, there are five selectors that decide on All-Americans – Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association, Football Writers Association of America, Sporting News and Walter Camp Football Foundation – and should all name a player to its first team, the individual becomes a unanimous selection.
If at least three selectors choose a player as a first-team honoree, it is a consensus All-American.
For the Tide, offensive tackle Jonah Williams and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams have both been honored as unanimous All-Americans.
Both linemen were named first-team selections by all five outlets while Quinnen Williams collected the Outland Trophy, which goes to college football’s top interior lineman for either offense or defense.
RELATED: Alabama DL Quinnen Williams wins 2018 Outland Trophy
Jonah Williams won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy for the Southeastern Conference and was a finalist for the Outland.
The duo gives Saban nineteen unanimous All-Americans since offensive tackle Andre Smith started the trend back in 2008. Mark Ingram and Derrick Henry were the lone two former Alabama stars that earned both unanimous All-American status and a Heisman Trophy.
The trio of Tua Tagovailoa, Jerry Jeudy and Deionte Thompson are consensus All-Americans.
Tagovailoa: AFCA, Sporting News (POY), Walter Camp (POY)
Jeudy: AFCA, Sporting News, Walter Camp, AP
Thompson: AFCA, Sporting News, AP
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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.
