It has been a strong year for the University of Alabama football program on both offense and defense, as head coach Nick Saban has mentored quite a few All-Americans.
Prior to it getting ready to face Oklahoma at Hard Rock Stadium for the College Football Playoff semifinal, the Crimson Tide has crowned two unanimous All-Americans and three consensus All-Americans for this season.
Per the NCAA, there are five selectors that decide on All-Americans – Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association, Football Writers Association of America, Sporting News and Walter Camp Football Foundation – and should all name a player to its first team, the individual becomes a unanimous selection.
If at least three selectors choose a player as a first-team honoree, it is a consensus All-American.
For the Tide, offensive tackle Jonah Williams and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams have both been honored as unanimous All-Americans.
Both linemen were named first-team selections by all five outlets while Quinnen Williams collected the Outland Trophy, which goes to college football’s top interior lineman for either offense or defense.
Jonah Williams won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy for the Southeastern Conference and was a finalist for the Outland.
The duo gives Saban nineteen unanimous All-Americans since offensive tackle Andre Smith started the trend back in 2008. Mark Ingram and Derrick Henry were the lone two former Alabama stars that earned both unanimous All-American status and a Heisman Trophy.
The trio of Tua Tagovailoa, Jerry Jeudy and Deionte Thompson are consensus All-Americans.
Tagovailoa: AFCA, Sporting News (POY), Walter Camp (POY)
Jeudy: AFCA, Sporting News, Walter Camp, AP
Thompson: AFCA, Sporting News, AP
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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.
