Loaded with playmakers, Alabama Crimson Tide in position for title run

A second kept Alabama from finishing first.

The Crimson Tide came one second short of winning another national championship last year. And even though 10 starters from that team were selected in the NFL draft, the Tide is aiming to finish the deal and capture another title this year. That’s how good life is in Tuscaloosa under coach Nick Saban. With another season, another championship run is anticipated.

Most programs could not have realistic championship aspirations after losing seven players that were taken in the first round of the NFL draft. But Saban’s Alabama obviously is a different breed, and even though a ton of talent departed, a ton remains.

Alabama still has the SEC 2016 Offensive Player of the Year in quarterback Jalen Hurts. The Crimson Tide also returns a 1,000-yard running back in Damien Harris, arguably the best cornerback in school history in Minkah Fitzpatrick, an All-SEC receiver in Calvin Ridley and a nose guard, Da’Ron Payne, that projects to be a future first round draft choice.

Sure, there are some questions. Will the passing game be better than average? Will the defense be as dominant? Can the Tide continue to subsidize its offense with a plethora of non-offensive touchdowns?

The answers to all those questions could be negative. Thus, Alabama may be more vulnerable than usual. But vulnerability at Alabama equates to only winning an SEC championship. Indeed, since the Tide has won four of the last five SEC championships.

The one the Tide didn’t win in that streak? That was in 2013 against Auburn, which of course, scored the winning touchdown with one second remaining.

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Alabama Crimson Tide

2016 record: 14-1, 8-0 in SEC
Postseason results: Defeated Washington, 24-7, in playoff semifinals; lost to Clemson, 35-31, in national championship
Coach: Nick Saban (114-19 at Alabama)

Returning starters

• Offense (6): G Bradley Bozeman, RB Damien Harris, QB Jalen Hurts, G Ross Pierschbacher, T Jonah Williams
• Defense (6): S Anthony Averett, CB Tony Brown, CB Minkah Fitzpatrick, LB Shaun Dion Hamilton, NT Da’Ron Payne
• Special teams (1): J.K. Scott

Strengths: It’s Alabama, so the Tide is strong across the board. But Bama is really strong in the running game. Last year the Crimson Tide averaged 245 rushing yards per game, and the key figures in that rushing attack — quarterback Jalen Hurts, running back Bo Scarbrough and running back Damien Harris — all are still around. Those three accounted for more than 2,800 rushing yards in 2016. The Tide is also good and experienced in the secondary, which is led by Minkah Fitzpatrick. Alabama recorded more interceptions (16) than touchdown passes allowed (15). By the way, J.K. Scott is the best punter in the SEC, too.


Weaknesses: Again, we’re talking Alabama. Weakness is a relative term. In Tuscaloosa, it’s more about areas that are unproven. The linebacker corps has to be rebuilt, there are holes to be filled on the defensive front, and three of last year’s top four receivers are gone. But frankly, the biggest question may be who will handle the placekicking duties. Andy Pappanastos attempted just one field goal last season. Of course, he made it.

Top three players

• Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB: Arguably Alabama’s best cornerback ever. Fitzpatrick was named All-American in 2016 after leading the Tide with six interceptions. In two seasons, he’s returned four interceptions for touchdowns.

• Da’Ron Payne, NT: Alabama’s next great defensive lineman. Payne is a tremendous run-stuffer, but can also provide an inside pass rush. He’s looking to build on his ’16 performance in which he posted 36 tackles, 1.5 sacks, was credited with three quarterback pressures and returned a fumble for a touchdown.

• Calvin Ridley, WR: A big-play threat who earned All-SEC honors last season. In two seasons Ridley has 161 catches for 1,814 yards. Last year as a sophomore he had 21 catches that covered 15 yards or more.

Emerging star: Senior linebacker Rahsaan Evans has been buried on the depth chart behind star players, so he’s only made two career starts. He’ll be starting inside this season , and don’t be surprised if he emerges as an All-SEC performer. A year ago he posted 53 tackles and 4 sacks as primarily a backup. Expect his numbers to spike.

Impact newcomer: Freshman wide receiver Jerry Jeudy enrolled early and figures to make an immediate contribution like fellow South Florida natives Amari Cooper and Ridley did. A five-star prospect, he scored 15 touchdowns as a high school senior. He probably won’t do that at Alabama, but he’ll give defenses another cause for concern.

Biggest losses: Alabama is always well-stocked with talented players waiting their turn. Still, there is a huge purge of talent that even Alabama might have some difficulty replacing, especially on defense. Linebackers Reuben Foster, Ryan Anderson and Tim Williams were selected in the first, second and third round of the NFL draft. Their production won’t be easily replaced. The loss of tight end O.J. Howard might be more significant than some realize. His catch totals weren’t spectacular, but he was a big-play threat and a valuable contributor to the running game as an excellent blocker.

2017 Schedule
Sept. 2 vs. Florida State at Atlanta
Sept. 9 vs. Fresno State
Sept. 16 vs. Colorado State
Sept. 23 at Vanderbilt
Sept. 30 vs. Ole Miss
Oct. 7 at Texas A&M
Oct. 14 vs. Arkansas
Oct. 21 vs. Tennessee
Nov. 4 vs. LSU
Nov. 11 at Mississippi State
Nov. 18 vs. Mercer
Nov. 25 at Auburn