We are about to get into marquee action as the regular season is over for the National Football League.
Before the playoffs start, the NFL released its 2022 All-Pro First Team. Three alums from the University of Alabama got recognized as Josh Jacobs (running back), Patrick Surtain II (cornerback), and Minkah Fitzpatrick (safety) were named.
Here is the inaugural Players’ All-Pro Team, via the NFL Players Association: pic.twitter.com/KyeqjecgEG
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 11, 2023
Jacobs finished his fourth season as the league’s rushing champion. He totaled 1,653 rushing yards, 400 receiving yards, and 12 touchdowns for the Las Vegas Raiders. The franchise did not pick up his fifth-year option, so he had a career season. He is headed toward a hefty payday from a team. Jacobs recorded five 100-yard rushing performances, including a 200-yard outing (229) against the Seattle Seahawks in a 40-34 overtime victory for the Raiders. Jacobs helped Alabama to two Southeastern Conference Championships in 2016 and 2018 and a College Football Playoff National Championship in 2017 as a former three-star recruit.
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Oct 2, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) warms up before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Surtain continued his elite play in year two for the Denver Broncos. He recorded 60 tackles, two tackles for loss, defended a team-high 10 passes — including two interceptions — and forced a fumble. Pro Football Focus graded Surtain as the No. 2 cornerback in the NFL behind Sauce Gardner. He did not allow a lot of big plays, earning a defensive grade of 86.8 and a coverage grade of 86.7.
Surtain came to the Tide as a five-star in 2018.
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
He won two SEC Championships (2018 and 2020) and a national championship in 2020. Fitzpatrick nearly put the Pittsburgh Steelers into the playoffs. He earns his third All-Pro First Team nod, joining his honors from 2019 and 2020. The New Jersey native won Most Valuable Player honors for Pittsburgh, tying for a league-high six interceptions. Fitzpatrick finished second for the Steelers in total tackles (96) and defended 11 passes. He grades as the third-best safety in the NFL, according to PFF.
Fitzpatrick was a five-star in Alabama’s 2015 class. He assisted the program to two national championships.
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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.
