ATLANTA, Ga.– Seeing Minkah Fitzpatrick grab an interception or watching Ronnie Harrison and Anthony Averett lockdown receivers has become a studied commodity for Crimson Tide fans.
Even with their efforts, it has been the emergence of Tony Brown that’s brought the secondary full circle.
The Beaumont, Texas native and former five-star recruit has played with a fire under him, since returning from suspension back on Oct. 1, 2016. After not participating in last year’s College Football Playoff, Brown was a force in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl against Washington. He finished with five tackles, including 1.5 for loss and half a sack. In talking with true freshman running back Josh Jacobs, he said Brown brings sheer intensity.
“He has an aura about himself that gets everyone excited and ready to play,” Jacobs said.
“Whether it’s in practice or in ball games, he is always going to hit you.”
Brown aided a Crimson Tide’s defensive backfield that clamped down on Huskies’ quarterback Jake Browning, following his first quarter touchdown pass to wide receiver Dante Pettis.
Despite averaging 252.3 passing yards and a completion mark of 63.2 percent, Brown and Alabama handled Browning much like Southern California and Colorado did—limiting him to 150 passing yards and a 52.6 percent completion rating (20 of 38) in a 24-7 win in Atlanta.
While he came into Saturday’s game as Washington’s leading receiver, John Ross could do nothing against Brown and Alabama. He was held to five catches and his 28 receiving yards tied a season low, which was set against Arizona on Sept. 24, 2016 (four receptions, 28 yards). Though he was signed in 2014, Brown will play in his first national championship game next week. He and the Tide meet up with Clemson on Jan. 9 at Tampa, Fla.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
