The 2020 college football season is going to be interesting for many reasons: the conference only schedules, the players getting to choose to opt out, the BIG 10 and PAC 12 cancelling their season, and so on.
But that hasn’t stopped Alabama and the SEC from making one statement clear: they’re doing all they can to make this season happen.
Especially when you look at all of the talent for the Crimson Tide this year, there are plenty of players wanting to make a statement this season.
According to ESPN’s 2020 ESPN preseason college football All-America team, there are 6 Crimson Tide players who made the list this season, the most of any other team.
Here are the 6 players named to the list:
Wide Receiver- DeVonta Smith-
Here’s what ESPN had to say about Smith:
“The Alabama wide receiver room was brimming with talent last season, with multiple guys who will play in the NFL. Getting Smith back for his senior season was a coup for the Crimson Tide. He has averaged 17.9 yards per catch in his career and caught 14 touchdown passes a year ago. Smith is incredibly explosive, but he also catches everything that comes his way. Alabama just keeps churning out elite wide receivers, and Smith is next in line.”
Offensive Tackle- Alex Leatherwood
“Saying he had “a lot more to offer,” Leatherwood elected to return for his senior year despite being projected by many as a first-round NFL draft pick. He’s been a force for the Crimson Tide at guard and at tackle but will remain at left tackle for a second straight season after allowing just two sacks and three quarterback hurries a year ago. Six-foot-6, 312-pound Leatherwood will anchor an Alabama offensive line that should be the best in the country.”
Offensive Guard- Deonte Brown
“The 6-4, 350-pound redshirt senior missed the first four games of the 2019 season after being suspended the year before for the College Football Playoff, but then settled in as the Tide’s right guard. He could slide over to left guard this season to give the Tide an imposing left side with Leatherwood also at tackle on that side. Brown is a powerful blocker in the run game but also moves extremely well in space for a guy his size.”
AP- Jaylen Waddle
“Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian said Waddle will be an “every-down” target for the Crimson Tide this fall, which means opposing defenses and opposing coverage units on special teams will get a heavy dose of the 5-10, 182-pound junior. Waddle had six receiving touchdowns last season and had a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Auburn as well as a 77-yard punt return for a touchdown against LSU.”
LB- Dylan Moses
“Losing Moses to a season-ending ACL tear just days before the season opener a year ago was a huge blow to the Alabama defense. But the 6-3, 240-pound senior is once again healthy and says he’s determined to “put a punctuation mark on the back end of my Alabama career.” Not only is Moses a dependable playmaker from his middle linebacker spot but he’s also a guy who knows the ins and outs of Nick Saban’s defense, which will help clean up mistakes.”
CB- Patrick Surtain II
“If not for Stingley, Surtain would be the top cornerback in the country, and he could still have something to say about that before the 2020 season is complete. He has great size (6-2, 202 pounds) and the instincts and athleticism to go along with that size. The talented junior forced three fumbles and intercepted two passes a year ago. Alabama has produced some elite cornerbacks under Nick Saban, but Surtain could wind up being the best yet.”
Simply put, the Crimson Tide is loaded with talent, and this is going to be an incredible season to watch!
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