The Alabama coaching staff selected seven players of the week following the Crimson Tide’s season-opening win against Miami at the 2021 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game.
Darrian Dalcourt, Cameron Latu, John Metchie III and Bryce Young were selected on offense; Will Anderson Jr. and Jalyn Armour-Davis were selected on defense; and Will Reichard rounds out the list for his performance on special teams.
OFFENSE
Darrian Dalcourt
- Turned in an outstanding performance in his first career start at center for the Crimson Tide
- Helped churn out 501 total yards, including 147 rushing yards
- Did not allow a sack or a pressure
- Provided time for Alabama quarterbacks to throw for 354 yards, while completing 71.8 percent of pass attempts
Cameron Latu
- Recorded his first career catch and his first-career touchdown against Miami
- Hauled in three receptions for 43 yads receiving and two touchdowns (nine and 25 yards out), all of which are career highs for the redshirt junior
- Latu averaged 14.3 yards per reception
John Metchie III
- Led the team with six receptions, totaling 76 yards and one touchdown
- Connected on a 37-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Bryce Young on the Crimson Tide’s opening drive, helping Alabama post the first points on the board
Bryce Young
- Finished his first start with 344 yards passing and four touchdowns while completing 27-of-38 passes
- His four touchdown passes set a program record for the most touchdown passes by any Alabama quarterback in their starting debut behind Mac Jones and Joe Namath, who collected three touchdown passes in 2019 and 1962, respectively
- Set a second program record for the most passing yards (344) by any Alabama quarterback in their starting debut
- Threw a 94-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jameson Williams, which tied for the second-longest touchdown pass in program history with Freddie Kitchens’ pass to Michael Vaughn vs. Florida on Dec. 7, 1996, and Mac Jones’ pass to Jaylen Waddle vs. Louisiana on Sept. 29, 2018
DEFENSE
Will Anderson Jr.
- The sophomore totaled a team-high nine tackles, including two solo stops
- He added one sack (-4 yards)
- Helped a Crimson Tide defense that accumulated 7.0 tackles for loss (-25 yards) while holding Miami to just 266 total yards
- Was credited with five pressures by the Alabama coaching staff
Jalyn Armour-Davis
- Tied for second on the team with two solo stops
- Played a key role on the Tide’s defense that limited Miami to only 179 yards passing and 87 yards rushing on 31 attempts each
SPECIAL TEAMS
Will Reichard
- Perfect on all kicking attempts in season opener, including 5-for-5 on PATs and 3-for-3 on field goals
- Continues to lead the nation in consecutive field goals made with 18
- Kicked a 51-yard field goal for the second-longest field goal in his career
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
