College football is almost here and one publication served notice of this by releasing its preseason All-America Teams for the upcoming season.
Per Athlon Sports, the site released its list on Wednesday that included nine student-athletes from the University of Alabama. The Crimson Tide had the most players named (Clemson, eight) as it boasted four first-team selections, four second teamers and one third team honoree.
The quartet of Tua Tagovailoa (quarterback), Jerry Jeudy (wide receiver), Jedrick Wills (offensive line) and Dylan Moses (linebacker) all were first-team selections.
Tagovailoa, a returning junior, tossed for 3,966 passing yards and totaled 48 touchdowns.
He set multiple school records and guided the nation’s No. 3 scoring offense (45.6 ppg) and No. 6 total offense (522 ypg) to a Southeastern Conference title. The native Hawaiian finished as a consensus All-American and finalist for the Heisman Trophy.
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Jeudy, a returning junior, led the team in receptions (68), receiving yards (1,315) and touchdowns (14) in 2018.
He turned in five 100-yard performances and brought in the game-tying score – a 10-yard catch – from Jalen Hurts in the SEC Championship against Georgia.
Jeudy led the Tide in yards per catch (19.34), won the Fred Biletnikoff Award and like his quarterback, the Florida native and former five-star was a consensus All-American.
Wills, a junior, anchored the right side of an offensive unit that was first in the SEC and eighth nationally in allowing the fewest sacks per game (one). He led the team in knockdown blocks with 50 and allowed one sack.
The Kentucky native earned SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors for his efforts against Missouri – grading out at 91 percent – while picking up awards from Alabama’s coaching staff for his performances versus both Missouri and LSU.
Wills blocked for three 500+ yard rushers – Damien Harris, Najee Harris and Josh Jacobs – and helped Jacobs collect a team-high 11 rushing scores. His exploits in pass protection led to the Crimson Tide having the nation’s best pass efficiency offense (197.34 rating) and sixth-best passing offense (323.6 ypg).
Moses, a junior, led Alabama’s defense with 86 tackles. He totaled 10 tackles for loss and recorded 3.5 sacks as a sophomore. After being named to the SEC’s All-Freshman Team in 2017, the Louisiana native and former five-star was a finalist for the Dick Butkus Award.
He will serve as one of the Tide’s defensive captains this season.
The group of Najee Harris (running back), Raekwon Davis (defensive line), Xavier McKinney (defensive back) and Jaylen Waddle (wide receiver) all were second-team honorees.
Alex Leatherwood, a junior, was a third-team selection from the offensive line.
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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.
