Before it takes on Notre Dame in the Rose Bowl in one of two College Football Playoff semifinal games, the University of Alabama has three student-athletes chosen as finalists for Walter Camp National Player of the Year.
According to an announcement from the Walter Camp Football Foundation on Monday, the trio of Mac Jones, DeVonta Smith and Najee Harris have all been selected for the honor.
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All three players were highly productive and made the Crimson Tide one of the nation’s most explosive offenses. While the trio finished in the top-five, in terms of Heisman finalists, Jones and Smith represent Alabama in the top-four for the Heisman Trophy. The tripod propelled the Tide to averaging 49.7 points per game, including 10 straight matchups with at least 40 points.
Alabama leads the Southeastern Conference in scoring offense and is second nationally.
Jones, a redshirt junior, has silenced all critics as a first-year starting quarterback.
He’s completed 250-of-327 passes for an NCAA-leading 76.5 percent completion rating.
Jones chimes in with 3,739 passing yards, 32 touchdowns and four interceptions.
He leads all quarterbacks in passing efficiency rating (202.3) and total quarterback rating (95.6).
His output for passing yards in second in the nation, while his amount of scoring tosses is tied for third nationally. Jones has four 400-yard performances, including one versus Florida (418) in the SEC Championship showdown.
Smith, a senior, stands as the best wide receiver in school history.
He leads all of college football for receptions (98) and receiving yards (1,511), while his 17 touchdowns are second in the nation.
A native of Amite, La., Smith has averaged 137.4 yards per game and has seven 100-yard outings.
The 6-foot-1, 175-pounder was responsible for 200-plus receiving yards in meetings against Mississippi State (203) and LSU (231), and put on a show versus Florida in the SEC title game.
He caught 15 passes for 184 yards with two scores in a 52-46 victory for Alabama over the Gators.
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His 15 catches were an SEC title game record and a career record for him.
Harris, a senior, was the Most Valuable Player of the SEC Championship Game.
He turned in 178 yards rushing, 67 yards receiving and five touchdowns against Florida.
Harris leads the nation for total touchdowns (27) and rushing scores (24) by a running back.
The 6-foot-2, 230-pounder collected five 100-yard rushing games and nine 100-yard games from scrimmage. Harris is fourth in the nation for rushing yards (1,262) and has 1,578 all-purpose yards this season. The winner of the Walter Camp National Player of the Year will be announced on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. CT on ESPN.
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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
