After a matchup of Austin Peay versus Central Arkansas gave us a sneak preview of returning to college football, this week and the weeks to come will provide more action.
In the spirit of the sport, ESPN released its college football’s best players for 2020 on Tuesday.
With 50 players named, the network took the COVID-19 crisis into consideration — updating the student-athletes who are playing, those who opted out and those who will not have a season due to cancellation.
The University of Alabama had six players named to the list, starting with Patrick Surtain II at No. 10. A native of Plantation, Fla., Surtain has played in 28 games with 25 career starts.
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He earned Freshman All-SEC honors from the league’s coaches in 2018, and responded with 42 tackles, three forced fumbles, eight pass breakups and two interceptions last season.
The 6-foot-2, 202-pounder has 79 career tackles, 15 breakups and three picks. He is a preseason candidate for Jim Thorpe, Chuck Bednarik and Bronko Nagurski awards this season.
Surtain also has the opportunity at a first-round NFL Draft stock for 2021.
DeVonta Smith, a senior, was listed at No. 13.
A talented wide receiver from Amite, La., the former four-star improved his production in each of the last three years.
He built on his “2nd and 26” platform with 693 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 42 catches in 2018. Smith became Alabama’s leading receiver in 2019, totaling 1,256 yards with 14 touchdowns on 68 receptions.
He is a preseason candidate for the Fred Biletnikoff Award and returned for his senior season to be best at his position.
One spot down stood Najee Harris at No. 14.
The senior running back from California had everything clicking during the latter portion of 2019.
He posted six 100-yard rushing performances, including four versus Southeastern Conference opponents. Harris collected his first career 1,000-yard rushing campaign (1,224) and had 20 total touchdowns (seven receiving) on the year.
He returns as one of college football’s most complete backs.
Jaylen Waddle checks in at No. 18.
An explosive receiver from Houston, Texas, he is only scratching the surface of his potential.
Not only is he dangerous on offense, but he is also very lethal in the return game. Waddle was responsible for 1,227 all-purpose yards last year with eight touchdowns. He totaled 560 yards receiving, 428 punt return yards, 175 kick return yards and five rushing yards. In space, he is something to behold with the ball in his hands, especially noting the instincts he has.
The 5-foot-10, 182-pounder has returned to be an ‘every down’ player.
As for Dylan Moses and Alex Leatherwood, the Alabama tandem rounds out the list at Nos. 19 and 20 respectively.
The Tide was lost on defense without Moses in 2019. With him back, expect a much better showing. Leatherwood has proven to be dynamic no matter where he is on the offensive line.
He backed up Jonah Williams at left tackle in 2017, started at right guard in 2018 and then transitioned to tackle last year.
The 6-foot-6, 312-pounder arrived as a five-star and in entering his senior campaign, all NFL scouts will be locked on to him.
Alabama football is pushing for a College Football Playoff National Championship.
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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.
