Alabama players to watch in CFP championship rematch with Georgia
When Alabama and Georgia face off on Jan. 10 in the CFP national championship, there will be as much NFL talent collectively on the field as a college football game could possibly have.
Both the Tide and Bulldogs are littered with future next-level stars and the SEC title game rematch is destined to be one to remember.
Alabama dominated Georiga a month ago in Atlanta 41-24. Bryce Young picked apart the Bulldog secondary and the Tide defense made the plays when they needed to, including a Jordan Battle pick-six to seal the victory.
The Bulldogs are fired up for the rematch and Alabama is focused on winning back-to-back titles for the first time in playoff history.
Before the two titans of college football clash, let’s take a look at five of the boys from ‘Bama that fans should look for in the contest.
5 Alabama players you should watch as the Tide battle the Bulldogs for the SEC Championship!
It’s that time of year again, the two best teams in the SEC head over to Atlanta to battle it out for the SEC Championship.
This year, like several years in the past, is a matchup between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs. It’s Nick Saban vs. Kirby Smart.
Smart will lead the top-ranked Bulldogs into the contest, securely in the playoffs. Smark will also look to knock off his former boss for the first time ever. Saban brings the Tide into the matchup most likely needing a win to ensure a spot in the playoff.
Either way a lot is on the line and coach Saban and coach Smart won’t take one single snap in the contest. They will prepare their teams and it will be up to the guys between the lines to make the plays.
Today we will look at five players from the Alabama Crimson Tide that you should be keeping your eye on.
Spoiler alert, there is no Will Anderson Jr. on this list. That’s like saying water is wet!
The return of college football is quickly approaching, folks. After yet another national championship winning season, Nick Saban and company will be looking for a repeat performance in 2021.
Despite key losses, the Crimson Tide is well positioned to do just that.
The opening week matchup is against the Miami Hurricanes in Atlanta, Ga. set for Sept. 4. And with it now being July 11, we are now only 55 days away from the start of the season!
The No. 55 is currently being worn by redshirt junior offensive lineman Emil Ekiyor Jr. and has been for the past three seasons.
After being a highly-rated four-star prospect coming out of Cathedral High School in Indianapolis, the 6-foot-3, 324-pound guard/center waited his turn to emerge as a full-time starter. That finally happened in 2020, and Ekiyor was rock solid stepping into the starting job at right guard.
Now he’ll look to build off that success in 2021, and he’s already getting some preseason recognition heading into Year 4.
Alabama running back Keilan Robinson (2) runs behind the block of offensive lineman Emil Ekiyor, Jr., (55) at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, November 23, 2019. Mickey Welsh, Montgomery Advertiser
We are only 55 days from Alabama football kicking off its season. With the cancelled USC game, we’re just not sure who the opponent with be.
Alabama’s opening week game against the USC Trojans at AT&T Stadium in Arlington (Tex.) has officially been cancelled after the Pac-12 recently made the announcement that it would be playing a conference-only schedule in 2020.
Yes, that was unfortunate news, and yes, that means the Crimson Tide is looking for a new opponent to open its season on Sept. 5, but as of right now, that is still the target date to open the season. Until that changes, we’ll continue the countdown to kickoff.
With it now being July 12, we are officially 55 days away from the start!
Redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Emil Ekiyor Jr. out of Indianapolis (Ind.) wears the No. 55 for the Alabama and has since his arrival before the 2018 season. He’ll be competing for the fifth and final starting spot along the Tide’s offensive line this season.
The most notable player to wear the number, however, is former linebacker Derrick Thomas, who still holds the unofficial record for most sacks in a single season (27) and a career (52). The reason it’s unofficial is because the NCAA didn’t start recording official defensive statistics until 2000.
Alabama running back Keilan Robinson (2) runs behind the block of offensive lineman Emil Ekiyor, Jr., (55) at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, November 23, 2019. Mickey Welsh, Montgomery Advertiser
2020 Alabama football schedule
Sept. 5 vs. OPEN*
Sept. 12 vs. Georgia State (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
Sept. 19 vs. Georgia (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
Sept. 26 vs. Kent State (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
Oct. 3 at Ole Miss (Oxford, Miss.)
Oct. 10 at Arkansas (Fayetteville, Ark.)
Oct. 17 vs. Mississippi State (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
Oct. 24 at Tennessee (Knoxville, Tenn.)
Nov. 7 at LSU (Baton Rouge, La.)
No. 14 vs. UT-Martin (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
Nov. 21 vs. Texas A&M (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
Nov. 28 vs. Auburn (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
Stay tuned for more updates from Roll Tide Wire, part of the USA TODAY Sports College Wire network!
Redshirt sophomore OL Emil Ekiyor Jr. is the next man up on Alabama football’s player snapshot, which highlights each scholarship player.
As we continue through the offseason, Roll Tide Wire has decided to bring fans a quick snapshot of each scholarship player listed on Alabama’s 2020 football roster.
Each day, we’ll release two player profiles giving fans a glimpse into the players who will be available this upcoming season. Whether that’s size, classification, hometowns or recruiting rankings coming out of high school, we’ve got you covered.
Also included in each article is a quick recap letting you know what to expect from that player for the upcoming 2020 season and beyond.
Next up on the list is redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Emil Ekiyor Jr. out of Indianapolis (Ind.).
Emil Ekiyor Jr., Offensive Lineman
Alabama running back Keilan Robinson (2) runs behind the block of offensive lineman Emil Ekiyor, Jr., (55) at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, November 23, 2019. Mickey Welsh, Montgomery Advertiser
HS ranking (Rivals): 4-star / No. 156 overall / No. 6 OG / No. 1 IND
Analysis: Emil Ekiyor Jr. was one of the top interior offensive linemen in the 2018 recruiting class, but he still redshirted his first season on campus. As a second-year player last season, the talented blocker saw action in eight games with no starts.
Now it will be interesting to see if Ekiyor Jr. can assume the starting left guard spot, which is expected to be vacated by Evan Neal after he moves to right tackle. Ekiyor, along with redshirt freshman Darrian Dalcourt, should be considered one of the favorites to earn the fifth starting offensive line spot.
Alex Leatherwood (left tackle), Landon Dickerson (center or right guard), Deonte Brown (left or right guard) and Neal will make up the rest of the offensive line, giving the Crimson Tide one of the best protection units in the nation.
With Ekiyor’s pedigree, experience and outlook, expect him to make a solid case to be a part of that unit.
