National accolades keep coming to the University of Alabama and while graduations are happening on campus this weekend, two more players received major honors.
Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and cornerback Patrick Surtain II were both named to the Associated Press’ All-Freshman Team on Friday, according to the publication.
Congrats, Patrick Surtain II & Jaylen Waddle for making @AP Freshman All-America!#OutworkYesterday#RollTide pic.twitter.com/askE9EklBu
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) December 14, 2018
Waddle, a native of Houston, Texas, was impressive all season with 803 yards and seven touchdowns on 41 catches.
He stands in the top three on the team in each category; however, Waddle’s output in yards (eighth) and scores (tied for fifth) both rank in the top-10 for receivers in the Southeastern Conference.
The 5-foot-10, 177-pounder has a knack for creating explosive plays after the catch, with four scores of in excess of 50 yards.
Waddle burned multiple SEC programs with his speed; nevertheless, it was his performance against Georgia in the conference title game that helped save Alabama’s season. He brought in a quick slant from Tua Tagovailoa and turned on the jets for a 51-yard house call.
For the elite receiving prospect, his efforts cut the Bulldogs’ lead to 28-21 and the Tide ultimately won the game by a score of 35-28. Waddle has three 100-yard matchups versus Louisiana (138), Tennessee (117) and Georgia (113) with four scores total in those games.
RELATED: Alabama football lands four players on 2018 All-SEC Freshman Team
Surtain, a native of Plantation, Fla., was able to lock down some of college football’s best weapons on the outside.
The five-star defender was rarely tested this season and when opposing quarterbacks tried him, they were unsuccessful more times than not.
He had 33 tackles – including 1.5 tackles for loss and posted six pass breakups with one interception.
Despite him helping the Tide surrender just one 100-yard outing from receiver – Jauan Jennings, Tennessee, 102 yards – Surtain has his work cut out for him as Oklahoma brings Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and Ceedee Lamb to face Alabama’s secondary on Dec. 29.
Both Waddle and Surtain were previously named to the SEC’s All-Freshman Team.
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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.
