With the playoffs starting this week for the National Football League, the All-Pro Team was released on Friday via NFL.com.
A lot of popular players were recognized for the honor, including Patrick Mahomes II, Todd Gurley, J.J. Watt, Drew Brees and Kahlil Mack among others, but three stars from the University of Alabama found their names on the list too.
The trio of linebacker C.J. Mosley, wide receiver Julio Jones and safety Eddie Jackson all made the NFL’s All-Pro Team and all three have turned in strong seasons in 2018.
Jackson, a second-year player, is quickly becoming one of the league’s best safeties.
He was the lone one from the trio to make first-team All-Pro on defense, following a regular season that saw him record 15 pass breakups and six interceptions – both of which tied him for second in the NFL.
He chimed in with 51 tackles, three tackles for loss, two forced fumble, one fumble recovery and three touchdowns for the Chicago Bears.
RELATED: Eddie Jackson grades out as PFF’s best safety for 2018
Jackson has guided the franchise to having the league’s No.1 scoring defense (17.7 ppg) and third-best total defense (299.7 ypg).
Jones, an eighth-year veteran, continues to be one of the NFL’s most feared receivers.
He has posted at least 1,400 yards receiving in five consecutive seasons, dating back to 2014 while leading the league in yards this year with 1,677 on 113 catches. Jones surpassed the mark of Randy Moss in a player having the most receiving yards in his 20s, seeing how he’s 29 with 10,731 career yards and 51 touchdowns on 698 catches. Despite the Atlanta Falcons not making the playoffs, he is the best part of this program since being pick sixth overall in the 2011 draft.
Jones was named second-team All-Pro.
Mosley, a fifth-year linebacker, has the Baltimore Ravens in the postseason for the first time since his rookie year in 2014. It is the fourth year he has collected at least 100 tackles, as he stands 105 stops – including seven tackles for loss, five breakups and one interception.
Mosley’s pick off Cleveland Browns’ quarterback, Baker Mayfield helped seal the Ravens a playoff berth as winners of the AFC North. He, like Jones, was awarded second-team All-Pro.
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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.
