Before the team starts practice and takes to Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday to battle Auburn, Alabama’s coaching staff elected seven players of the week after its victory over W. Carolina.
While three players apiece were selected on offense and defense, one name was rewarded on special teams.
The Crimson Tide won its 10th game of the season, posting a 66-3 win over the Catamounts at Bryant-Denny Stadium on senior day.
The trio of Mac Jones, DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle were named on offense.
In his second start, Jones was very efficient. He completed 10 of 12 passes for 275 yards with three touchdowns and no turnovers.
The redshirt sophomore tied his season-high for scoring tosses and showed confidence in taking shots downfield.
He averaged 27.5 yards per completion and navigated the second 60-point game for the Tide’s offense.
Jones looks to continue growing in confidence this week, as the native Floridian will start in his first-ever Iron Bowl.
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Smith leads Alabama’s receiver room in catches (four) and scores (two).
He posted 94 yards receiving, with 57 of it coming on a catch and burst to pay dirt in the first quarter versus Western Carolina. The junior leads the team in receiving yards (1,120), touchdown catches (13) and yards per game average (101.8) through 11 matchups.
Waddle chimed in with his first 100-yard outing at receiver.
A sophomore from Houston, Texas, he caught three passes for 101 yards – including a 54-yard reception for a score to end the first half. Waddle is one of five players that has at least 20 catches. He stands with 455 yards receiving and three scores on 16.3 yards per catch.
A trio of Christian Barmore, Christian Harris and Xavier McKinney were awarded on defense.
Barmore, a redshirt freshman, had a monster game. He led all defensive linemen in total tackles (six), while sharing a sack, posting one tackle for loss and one quarterback hurry.
He frustrated Tyrie Adams, quarterback of Western Carolina, all game long.
Barmore’s presence up front would lead to five turnovers – including one interception returned for an 81-yard touchdown.
Harris, a true freshman, turned in five tackles and one quarterback pressure.
He assisted an Alabama’s defensive front that gave up 67 yards rushing and 179 total yards offensively to the Catamounts.
McKinney, a junior, forced three turnovers.
The native Georgian caused havoc all game from his safety spot. He recorded two picks (one for a score) and forced a fumble that the Tide recovered. His two interceptions were a career-high for him in a single game and he added three tackles – including one for loss.
Waddle was also an honoree on special teams.
He had one kickoff return for 20 yards and two punt returns for 67 yards. Waddle nearly scored on a 49-yard return, but the sophomore stepped out of bounds inside the 5-yard line.
He has one punt return score this year versus Louisiana State University.
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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.
