In his yearly digital magazine, college football pundit Phil Steele featured the best players in college football from all across the nation. Of those players, six were from Alabama. Steele was named a preseason All-American.
Both kicker Graham Nicholson and center Parker Brailsford, newcomers at Alabama, were named to the first team of the preseason All-American team. The second team was made up of Deontae Lawson, Tyler Booker, and Jalen Milroe. Steele elected Malachi Moore to his fourth squad.
Playing over 612 pass block snaps last season, Brailsford, a transfer from the University of Washington, allowed only one sack. The 6-foot-2 redshirt sophomore joins a formidable Alabama offensive line that is anticipated to be a key component of the team’s offensive attack this year.
Nicholson is a transfer with an award-winning leg from the University of Miami (OH). In Miami (Ohio), he was selected an All-American and took home the Lou Groza trophy, which is given to the best kicker in the country for the previous campaign. Nicholson is anticipated to take Will Reichard’s spot as the all-time highest scorer in NCAA history.
Milroe headlines Steele’s backup offense when he gets back to Alabama. After guiding the Crimson Tide to the college football playoffs in his first year as a starter, the 6-foot-2 dual-threat quarterback ended as a Heisman contender last season. Booker was named to Alabama’s first team All-SEC on the offensive line the previous season. Recommencing his career at Tuscaloosa, the offensive guard is among the nation’s best interior lineman.
One of the best returning linebackers in college football is Lawson. In 11 games the previous season, he racked up 67 tackles and three sacks. This season, the rangy, quick linebacker is anticipated to serve as the focal point of the Crimson Tide defense.
The core group of Alabama players chosen for Steele’s fourth team was completed by Malachi Moore. After fighting injuries in previous seasons, he is making his way back to Tuscaloosa for his final year. The veteran safety is expected to take the lead as the Alabama defense retools their secondary, so this return is important.
Under first-year head coach Kalen DeBoer, the six players are anticipated to have successful seasons for the Tide in what seems to be a new era in Tuscaloosa.
