College football analyst, Phil Steele highlighted top college football talent from across the country in his annual digital magazine and listed six Alabama players among his preseason All-Americans.
Alabama newcomers, Center Parker Brailsford and Kicker Graham Nicholson, both notched first-team preseason All-American honors. Jalen Milroe, Tyler Booker and Deontae Lawson made the second team. Malachi Moore was elected to Steele’s fourth team.
Brailsford, a transfer from the University of Washington, allowed just one sack last season, playing over 612 pass block snaps. The 6-foot-2 redshirt sophomore joins a stout interior Alabama offensive line, which is expected to be a strength of the Crimson Tide offense this season.
Nicholson, a transfer from the University of Miami (OH), has an award-winning leg. He was named an All-American at Miami (OH) and won the Lou Groza award, which is awarded to the nation’s best kicker last season. Nicholson is expected to replace Will Reichard, the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer.
Milroe headlines Steele’s second-team offense as he returns to Alabama. The 6-foot-2 dual-threat quarterback finished as a Heisman finalist last season in his first year as a starter, leading the Crimson Tide to the college football playoffs. Booker made first-team All-SEC for Alabama last season on the offensive line. The offensive guard returns to Tuscaloosa as one of the top interior linemen in the country.
Lawson is one of the top returning linebackers in college football. He recorded 67 tackles and three sacks in 11 games last season. The rangy, instinctive linebacker is expected to be the anchor in the middle of the Crimson Tide defense this season.
Malachi Moore rounded out the core of Alabama players selected to Steele’s fourth team. He is returning to Tuscaloosa for his senior season after battling injuries in seasons past. This return is significant for the Alabama defense as many expect the veteran safety to lead as they retool their secondary.
All six players are expected to have strong seasons for the Tide in what seems to be a new era in Tuscaloosa under first-year Head Coach Kalen DeBoer.
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