Sporting News announced its 2020 Preseason All-American Team, and there were 7 Alabama players named to the first and second All-American team.
Alabama had the most players on the first team with 3: offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood, wide receiver DeVonta Smith, and wide receiver/kick returner Jaylen Waddle.
Here’s what Sporting News had to say about each of the Tide’s first-team selections:
Alex Leatherwood-
“The 6-6, 310-pound tackle has made 28 starts for the Crimson Tide, and the strength is in his versatility. He moved to left tackle after playing right guard in 2018, and he can be dominant at either position. That should keep Alabama’s offense moving in the right direction.”
DeVonta Smith-
“Smith decided to stay in school, and that gives the Crimson Tide the deep vertical threat that should put up big numbers in their offense. He had 14 TD catches last season, and he averages 17.9 yards per catch for his career. The game-winning TD against Georgia in the CFP championship game seems like forever ago, but that’s how long Smith has made an impact.”
Jaylen Waddle-
“Waddle had just 25 total returns between kicks and punts last season, but he made the most of them. He averaged 24.4 yards per punt return with a TD, and he had a kick return TD in just five tries. Few players are more exciting with the ball in their hands.”
Alabama also had 4 named the second-team: running back Najee Harris, offensive lineman Deonte Brown, linebacker Dylan Moses, and defensive back Patrick Surtain II.
The Crimson Tide’s 7 players are the most of any one school.
Here’s the list of the first-team selections:
First-Team Offense
QB: Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
RB: Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State
RB: Travis Etienne, Clemson
OL: Alex Leatherwood, Alabama
OL: Penei Sewell, Oregon
OL: Creed Humphrey, Oklahoma
OL: Wyatt Davis, Ohio State
OL: Trey Smith, Tennessee
TE: Pat Freiermuth, Penn State
WR: Ja’Marr Chase, LSU
WR: DeVonta Smith, Alabama
First-Team Defense
DL: Gregory Rousseau, Miami
DL: Jaylen Twyman, Pitt
DL: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon
DL: Marvin Wilson, Florida State
LB: Hamilcar Rashed Jr., Oregon State
LB: Micah Parsons, Penn State
LB: Chazz Surratt, North Carolina
DB: Derek Stingley Jr., LSU
DB: Shaun Wade, Ohio State
DB: Richard LeCounte, Georgia
DB: Andre Cisco, Syracuse
First-Team Specialists
K: Gabe Brkic, Oklahoma
P: Max Duffy, Kentucky
RET: Jaylen Waddle, Alabama
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