Offensive players such as Mark Ingram, Derrick Henry, Amari Cooper and Calvin Ridley represented the University of Alabama with big success to start the NFL season.
However, supporters of Crimson Tide know championships start on defense.
RELATED: Alabama 2020 NFL Draft projections
Four marquee players of the Nick Saban era were highly impactful for their respective teams in Sunday’s week one matchups. C.J. Mosley, Marlon Humphrey, Anthony Averett and Rashaan Evans all were members of at least one national championship team for Alabama football.
As the new captain of the New York Jets, Mosley did everything he could to navigate the franchise to its first win. The former All-American and Butkus Award winner at middle “Mike” linebacker totaled five tackles (four solo), two pass breakups, one interception, one fumble recovery and one defensive touchdown; however, it was not enough.
Not a bad way to introduce yourself, @TreyDeuce32RTR.#BUFvsNYJ | #TakeFlight pic.twitter.com/Cy2cmbcIai
— #TakeFlight (@nyjets) September 8, 2019
Mosley and the Jets fell, 17-16, to the Buffalo Bills.
After telling the Texas Longhorns to chill out over the “DBU” post on Twitter, Humphrey reminded everyone where the legit defensive backs come from.
He along with Averett rendered the passing game of the Miami Dolphins to 179 yards and forced two interceptions in a 59-10 win for the Baltimore Ravens on the road.
Humphrey totaled two pass breakups with an interception, and Averett posted four total tackles with one breakup.
INTERCEPTION @marlon_humphrey ‼️ pic.twitter.com/XrAjxvkESK
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 8, 2019
Despite him getting hurt in 2017, Evans was special in assisting the Tide to a College Football Playoff National Championship. The former five-star of the 2014 class amassed six total tackles for the Tennessee Titans and helped a defense that forced three interceptions off Baker Mayfield.
The Titans defeated the Cleveland Browns, 43-13, on the road.
Regardless of Mosley taking the loss of the four players, each one showed that guys who come from Nick Saban are not to be played with. A strong start to the season for these men.
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber only content!*
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.
