Nick Saban has brought in a lot of talented freshmen classes to Alabama, but fans will remember this group for the obstacles it overcame to maintain perfection in the regular season for college football.
Every other class was introduced to a spring season, a grueling summer session and an intense fall camp.
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Because of the Coronavirus pandemic, this year’s class got none of the three. It was not awarded an A-Day game to impress fans, its summer session was spent on learning the playbook via Zoom meetings, and it endured an unorthodox preseason camp.
Throughout the chaos, Saban still had a few players from the class to emerge and earn starting jobs. Even with having a 10-game, conference-only schedule, there were freshmen that took advantage of each opportunity.
In the Crimson Tide’s regular season finale versus Arkansas, four true freshmen made sure Alabama remained unbeaten in leaving Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
When it comes to those who saw action, names such as Bryce Young, Jase McClellan, Roydell Williams, Javon Baker, Traeshon Holden, Thaiu Jones-Bell, Tim Smith, Brian Branch, Malachi Moore, William Anderson, Jamil Burroughs and Drew Sanders among others were on the field.
If one was looking for the young players who made the most impact, the quartet of McClellan, Branch, Anderson and Smith were the guys.
All four individuals totaled at least one marquee play against the Razorbacks.
McClellan captured his second game of being the Tide’s leading rusher.
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After posting 99 yards with a touchdown versus Kentucky, the native Texan had 95 yards on six carries — including an 80-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. The 5-foot-11, 212-pounder showcased the incredible speed he had at Aledo High School, and punctuated the contest in a strong fashion. McClellan has 245 yards rushing with two scores on 23 carries through 10 games.
No one was catching Jase McClellan 😤 pic.twitter.com/F2S81aHLHz
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) December 12, 2020
Branch got his first-ever interception against Auburn, and it didn’t take him to gain another takeaway.
Kendal Briles, Arkansas’ offensive coordinator, dialed up a trick play with Treylon Burks (wide receiver) throwing the ball.
A four-star from Tyrone, Ga., Branch was not fooled and he snatched his second pick.
He negated a final chance for the Razorbacks to score in the red zone. He also finished with four tackles, including a pair of solo stops.
Anderson has played like a man possessed since his first sack in the Iron Bowl.
He tallied two sacks in a meeting with LSU and grabbed another pair versus Arkansas. A five-star outside linebacker from Hampton, Ga., Anderson shared the team lead for sacks and tackles for loss (two) with Christian Barmore.
The 6-foot-4, 235-pounder has five tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss.
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Smith was really good in stopping the run. Arkansas turned in 80 yards rushing (43 carries) on 1.9 yards per carry.
He chimed in with three tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and one sack.
With the early signing period for recruits and SEC Championship battle next week, this group of freshmen is set to continue to prove that Alabama is the best option for any student-athlete that strives for greatness.
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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.
