Alabama is heavy on playmakers
No. 1 team has three finalists for Heisman Trophy
Alabama’s best offensive player might be quarterback Mac Jones, who is efficient but also produces big plays. Or it could easily be Devonta Smith, who has been college football’s most prolific wide receiver.
Don’t count out tailback Najee Harris, a scoring machine who’s dangerous as a runner and a receiver.
The top-ranked Crimson Tide doesn’t have to choose who’s the best. The onus is on opponents — and next up is No. 4 Notre Dame in Arlington, Texas, on Friday in the College Football Playoff semifinals.
The Fighting Irish are aware of the challenge they face defending Alabama’s dynamic playmakers, who are among the best at their position.
“I mean, it’s the balance of Najee and his ability to run and catch the football coming out of the backfield,” Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said Monday. “And then Smith and (fellow receiver John) Metchie. Smith is just that good of a player that you know playing oneon-one against him is very difficult.”
The game was scheduled to be played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, but was relocated to the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium in a move prompted by California’s ban on spectators at sporting events during the pandemic.
But no matter the venue, the Alabama trio has not disappointed this season.
Jones and Smith are among the four finalists for the Heisman Trophy, along with Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence and Florida quarterback Kyle Trask. Harris finished fifth in the voting after a huge performance in the Southeastern Conference championship game.
Alabama is the second team to have three top-5 Heisman finishers, joining Army in 1946 with running backs Glenn Davis (who won) and Doc Blanchard (fourth) and quarterback Arnold Tucker (fifth).
Tide cornerback Patrick Surtain II is glad he doesn’t have to choose between his two finalist teammates.
“I believe they both deserve it. Their work ethic is unbelievable,” said Surtain, the Southeastern Conference defensive player of the year.
Add in Harris, and they’re finalists for four national awards collectively. Smith and Jones join Clemson’s Lawrence as finalists for the Maxwell Award given to the nation’s top player. Smith is one of three Biletnikoff Awards finalists as the top receiver.
Jones is a finalist for the Davey O’brien Award for the nation’s best quarterback and Harris remains up for the Doak Walker Award as the top running back.
— It would be hard not to get overshadowed at times by Smith and Jones, but Harris has been a scoring machine. Harris leads the nation with 24 rushing touchdowns and his 1,262 yards ranks third.
— Jones has proved more than capable of hitting receivers with the deep ball. Jones leads the nation in efficiency rating (202.35) and completion percentage (76.5) while ranking second with 32 touchdowns and third at 340 yards per game.
— Smith is producing arguably the best season of any Alabama receiver, including recent NFL first-rounders Julio Jones, Jerry Jeudy and Las Vegas Raider Henry Ruggs. He leads the nation with 98 catches and 1,511 yards and ranks second with 17 touchdowns.