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A look at how Alabama's 2018 class has fared so far | BamaInsider.com
Less than a week away from the early signing period, Alabama currently has the No. 1 class in the nation for 2019. As far as ratings are concerned, that’s a significant improvement over its 2018 class, which finished No. 7 in the nation, Alabama’s lowest ranking since 2007.
Despite its low billing, the 2018 class had some standout performers as 16 members saw playing time while three started. Here’s a look at what each member of the class has done so far this season.
Starters
Patrick Surtain II, cornerback
Rivals Rankings: Five-star, No. 8 player overall, No. 1 cornerback
Action: Played in 13 games, made 10 starts.
Stats: 33 tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss, six pass breakups, one interception, one forced fumble, one quarterback hurry.
Info: Surtain had the most starts of any freshman in Alabama’s 2018 class, working his way into the first-team defense during the third game of the season against Ole Miss. Surtain’s role grew even more vital after starting cornerback Trevon Diggs went down with a season-ending injury against Arkansas. Since then, the freshman has arguably been the Crimson Tide’s best cover corner, holding opponents to a 48.8 completion rate on balls thrown his way.
Saivion Smith, cornerback (JUCO transfer)
Rivals Rankings: Four-star, No. 1 JUCO player
Action: Played in 13 games, made 10 starts
Stats: 54 tackles, .5 tackles for a loss, five pass breakups, three interceptions, one interception returned for a touchdown, one forced fumble.
Info: Smith joined Alabama as a JUCO transfer after spending his freshman year at LSU. He started for the Crimson Tide during its first three games of the season before being replaced by Surtain during the game against Ole Miss. Smith returned to the starting defense following Diggs’ season-ending injury against Arkansas. He has shown great improvement this season and leads the team with three interceptions, including one against Arkansas State which he returned 38 yards for a touchdown.
Jaylen Waddle, receiver
Rivals rankings: Five-star, No. 31 overall, No. 7 receiver.
Action: Played in 13 games, made three starts
Stats: 41 receptions, 803 yards, seven touchdowns, 19.59 yards per catch. Averaged 15.07 yards per punt return on 15 attempts, including a 63-yard return for a touchdown.
Info: Waddle had a breakout season, earning SEC Freshman of the year while leading all SEC freshmen in scoring with 48 points on his eight combined touchdowns. The Houston, Texas native is second on the team in receiving and led Alabama with four catches for 113 yards and a touchdown during its 35-28 victory over Georgia in the SEC Championship Game. In his last three games, Waddle has tallied a combined 13 receptions for 276 yards and four touchdowns.
Contributors
Eyabi Anoma, outside linebacker
Rivals rankings: Five-star, No. 7 player overall, No. 1 weakside defensive end.
Action: Played in 11 games.
Stats: Nine tackles, two tackles for a loss, one quarterback hurry.
Info: Joining Alabama as the highest-rated player in the Crimson Tide’s 2018 class, Anoma didn’t make quite the impact some had expected. Still, the former five-star was named to the SEC’s All-Freshman team and showed glimpses of his potential with a tackle for a loss against both Arkansas State and Louisiana-Lafayette.
Ale Kaho, inside linebacker
Rivals rankings: Four-star, No. 82 overall, No. 8 outside linebacker.
Action: Played in 13 games.
Stats: 10 tackles, one fumble recovery.
Info: Despite joining Alabama late in the midst of its fall camp, Kaho has been one of the Crimson Tide’s top special teams performers. He earned special teams player of the week recognition from Alabama coaches following games against LSU and Mississippi State.
Stephon Wynn Jr., defensive lineman
Rivals rankings: Four-star, No. 108 overall, No. 6 strongside defensive end.
Action: Played in three games.
Stats: Three tackles.
Info: Wynn missed Alabama’s first two games with a ligament strain before making his first appearance against Ole Miss in Week 3. He’s made a single tackle in each of the three games he’s played in. He’s eligible to play in one more while still keeping his redshirt status.
Cameron Latu, outside linebacker
Rivals rankings: Four-star, No. 113 overall, No. 5 weakside defensive end.
Action: Played in two games.
Stats: One tackle, one quarterback hurry.
Info: Latu played five snaps over Alabama’s first two games of the season. He tallied his only tackle against Louisville in the season-opener. With only two games remaining, Latu will maintain his redshirt status this season.
Emil Ekiyor Jr., offensive lineman
Rivals rankings: Four-star, No. 156 player overall, No. 6 offensive guard.
Action: Played in two games.
Stats: Saw limited action with nine combined snaps at the center and left guard position.
Info: Ekiyor played three snaps at center against Ole Miss and six snaps at left guard against The Citadel. All nine plays he was apart of were run plays. In his limited action, he earned a 50.6 grade from Pro Football Focus. With only two games remaining, Ekiyor will maintain his redshirt status this season.
Xavier Williams, receiver
Rivals rankings: Four-star, No. 176 player overall, No. 32 receiver.
Action: Played in one game.
Stats: Did not record any stats over four snaps during the season-opener against Louisville.
Info: Williams has served primarily as a scout-team receiver during practice. The speedy 6-foot-1, 182-pound wideout will most likely play the role of Oklahoma receiver Marquis Brown (5-foot-10, 168 pounds) as Alabama prepares for its Orange Bowl matchup against the Sooners.
Josh Jobe, cornerback
Rivals rankings: Four-star, No. 227 player overall, No. 19 safety.
Action: Played in 12 games.
Stats: Six tackles.
Info: Jobe has added depth to a thin secondary, serving as a cornerback on Alabama’s second-team defense. His biggest performance of the season came against Arkansas State where he tallied three tackles over 27 defensive snaps. Jobe also serves on Alabama’s punt return team and has made appearances on the kick coverage and field goal block teams.
Slade Bolden, receiver
Rivals rankings: Four-star, No. 23 athlete.
Action: Played in one game.
Stats: Did not record any stats over four snaps during the season-opener against Louisville.
Info: The majority of Bolden’s work has been on the scout team. The versatile athlete has been able to provide several looks for Alabama and even replicated a triple-option quarterback as the Crimson Tide prepared for The Citadel.
Eddie Smith, safety
Rivals rankings: Three-star, No. 47 cornerback
Action: Played in six games.
Stats: Did not record any stats while playing primarily on special teams.
Info: Smith has featured primarily on special teams where he’s appeared on the Crimson Tide’s kick coverage, kick return, punt return and field goal block teams. He’s also provided depth at safety in the secondary.
Jerome Ford, running back
Rivals rankings: Three-star, No. 50 running back
Action: Played in four games.
Stats: Seven carries for 37 yards, 5.29 yards per carry.
Info: Ford saw all of his action early in the season. His biggest game came against Louisiana-Lafayette when he tallied 33 yards on three carries, including a career-long run of 15 yards. Ford likely won’t play again this season in order to maintain his redshirt status.
Skyler DeLong, punter
Rivals rankings: Three-star, unrated.
Action: Played in five games.
Stats: Averaged 34.44 yards per punt on 16 punts, four punts inside the 20-yard line, two punts of 50 or more yards, long of 51 yards.
Info: DeLong struggled during his freshman season and was replaced by walk-on Mike Bernier during the game against Tennessee. His best performance came against Texas A&M when he booted a career-long punt of 51 yards while pinning the Aggies inside the 20 three times.
Jaylen Moody, inside linebacker
Rivals rankings: Two-star, unrated.
Action: Played in 12 games.
Stats: Five tackles.
Info: Viewed as a diamond in the rough during the recruiting process, Moody shined on special team this season. One of his more memorable moments came when he delivered a punishing block to help spring Waddle free for his 63-yard punt return against Louisiana-Lafayette. He earned special teams player of the week honors from Alabama’s coaching staff both that week as well as the following week against Arkansas.
Tevita Musika, defensive tackle
Rivals rankings: unranked
Action: Played in five games
Stats: Three tackles,
Info: Musika joined Alabama as a JUCO transfer and has provided depth at the nose guard position. The 6-foot-1, 338-pounder is the biggest member of Alabama’s defensive line.
Have not played
Jalyn Armour-Davis, cornerback
Rivals ratings: Four-star, No. 123 overall, No. 16 cornerback
Tommy Brown, offensive lineman
Rivals ratings: Four-star, No. 196 overall, No. 13 offensive tackle
Michael Parker, tight end
Rivals ratings: Four-star, No. 18 tight end
Christian Barmore, defensive lineman
Rivals ratings: Four-star, No. 19 defensive tackle
1 Tony_Tsoukalas, Today at 12:24 PMDespite its low billing, the 2018 class had some standout performers as 16 members saw playing time while three started. Here’s a look at what each member of the class has done so far this season.
Starters
Patrick Surtain II, cornerback
Rivals Rankings: Five-star, No. 8 player overall, No. 1 cornerback
Action: Played in 13 games, made 10 starts.
Stats: 33 tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss, six pass breakups, one interception, one forced fumble, one quarterback hurry.
Info: Surtain had the most starts of any freshman in Alabama’s 2018 class, working his way into the first-team defense during the third game of the season against Ole Miss. Surtain’s role grew even more vital after starting cornerback Trevon Diggs went down with a season-ending injury against Arkansas. Since then, the freshman has arguably been the Crimson Tide’s best cover corner, holding opponents to a 48.8 completion rate on balls thrown his way.
Saivion Smith, cornerback (JUCO transfer)
Rivals Rankings: Four-star, No. 1 JUCO player
Action: Played in 13 games, made 10 starts
Stats: 54 tackles, .5 tackles for a loss, five pass breakups, three interceptions, one interception returned for a touchdown, one forced fumble.
Info: Smith joined Alabama as a JUCO transfer after spending his freshman year at LSU. He started for the Crimson Tide during its first three games of the season before being replaced by Surtain during the game against Ole Miss. Smith returned to the starting defense following Diggs’ season-ending injury against Arkansas. He has shown great improvement this season and leads the team with three interceptions, including one against Arkansas State which he returned 38 yards for a touchdown.
Jaylen Waddle, receiver
Rivals rankings: Five-star, No. 31 overall, No. 7 receiver.
Action: Played in 13 games, made three starts
Stats: 41 receptions, 803 yards, seven touchdowns, 19.59 yards per catch. Averaged 15.07 yards per punt return on 15 attempts, including a 63-yard return for a touchdown.
Info: Waddle had a breakout season, earning SEC Freshman of the year while leading all SEC freshmen in scoring with 48 points on his eight combined touchdowns. The Houston, Texas native is second on the team in receiving and led Alabama with four catches for 113 yards and a touchdown during its 35-28 victory over Georgia in the SEC Championship Game. In his last three games, Waddle has tallied a combined 13 receptions for 276 yards and four touchdowns.
Contributors
Eyabi Anoma, outside linebacker
Rivals rankings: Five-star, No. 7 player overall, No. 1 weakside defensive end.
Action: Played in 11 games.
Stats: Nine tackles, two tackles for a loss, one quarterback hurry.
Info: Joining Alabama as the highest-rated player in the Crimson Tide’s 2018 class, Anoma didn’t make quite the impact some had expected. Still, the former five-star was named to the SEC’s All-Freshman team and showed glimpses of his potential with a tackle for a loss against both Arkansas State and Louisiana-Lafayette.
Ale Kaho, inside linebacker
Rivals rankings: Four-star, No. 82 overall, No. 8 outside linebacker.
Action: Played in 13 games.
Stats: 10 tackles, one fumble recovery.
Info: Despite joining Alabama late in the midst of its fall camp, Kaho has been one of the Crimson Tide’s top special teams performers. He earned special teams player of the week recognition from Alabama coaches following games against LSU and Mississippi State.
Stephon Wynn Jr., defensive lineman
Rivals rankings: Four-star, No. 108 overall, No. 6 strongside defensive end.
Action: Played in three games.
Stats: Three tackles.
Info: Wynn missed Alabama’s first two games with a ligament strain before making his first appearance against Ole Miss in Week 3. He’s made a single tackle in each of the three games he’s played in. He’s eligible to play in one more while still keeping his redshirt status.
Cameron Latu, outside linebacker
Rivals rankings: Four-star, No. 113 overall, No. 5 weakside defensive end.
Action: Played in two games.
Stats: One tackle, one quarterback hurry.
Info: Latu played five snaps over Alabama’s first two games of the season. He tallied his only tackle against Louisville in the season-opener. With only two games remaining, Latu will maintain his redshirt status this season.
Emil Ekiyor Jr., offensive lineman
Rivals rankings: Four-star, No. 156 player overall, No. 6 offensive guard.
Action: Played in two games.
Stats: Saw limited action with nine combined snaps at the center and left guard position.
Info: Ekiyor played three snaps at center against Ole Miss and six snaps at left guard against The Citadel. All nine plays he was apart of were run plays. In his limited action, he earned a 50.6 grade from Pro Football Focus. With only two games remaining, Ekiyor will maintain his redshirt status this season.
Xavier Williams, receiver
Rivals rankings: Four-star, No. 176 player overall, No. 32 receiver.
Action: Played in one game.
Stats: Did not record any stats over four snaps during the season-opener against Louisville.
Info: Williams has served primarily as a scout-team receiver during practice. The speedy 6-foot-1, 182-pound wideout will most likely play the role of Oklahoma receiver Marquis Brown (5-foot-10, 168 pounds) as Alabama prepares for its Orange Bowl matchup against the Sooners.
Josh Jobe, cornerback
Rivals rankings: Four-star, No. 227 player overall, No. 19 safety.
Action: Played in 12 games.
Stats: Six tackles.
Info: Jobe has added depth to a thin secondary, serving as a cornerback on Alabama’s second-team defense. His biggest performance of the season came against Arkansas State where he tallied three tackles over 27 defensive snaps. Jobe also serves on Alabama’s punt return team and has made appearances on the kick coverage and field goal block teams.
Slade Bolden, receiver
Rivals rankings: Four-star, No. 23 athlete.
Action: Played in one game.
Stats: Did not record any stats over four snaps during the season-opener against Louisville.
Info: The majority of Bolden’s work has been on the scout team. The versatile athlete has been able to provide several looks for Alabama and even replicated a triple-option quarterback as the Crimson Tide prepared for The Citadel.
Eddie Smith, safety
Rivals rankings: Three-star, No. 47 cornerback
Action: Played in six games.
Stats: Did not record any stats while playing primarily on special teams.
Info: Smith has featured primarily on special teams where he’s appeared on the Crimson Tide’s kick coverage, kick return, punt return and field goal block teams. He’s also provided depth at safety in the secondary.
Jerome Ford, running back
Rivals rankings: Three-star, No. 50 running back
Action: Played in four games.
Stats: Seven carries for 37 yards, 5.29 yards per carry.
Info: Ford saw all of his action early in the season. His biggest game came against Louisiana-Lafayette when he tallied 33 yards on three carries, including a career-long run of 15 yards. Ford likely won’t play again this season in order to maintain his redshirt status.
Skyler DeLong, punter
Rivals rankings: Three-star, unrated.
Action: Played in five games.
Stats: Averaged 34.44 yards per punt on 16 punts, four punts inside the 20-yard line, two punts of 50 or more yards, long of 51 yards.
Info: DeLong struggled during his freshman season and was replaced by walk-on Mike Bernier during the game against Tennessee. His best performance came against Texas A&M when he booted a career-long punt of 51 yards while pinning the Aggies inside the 20 three times.
Jaylen Moody, inside linebacker
Rivals rankings: Two-star, unrated.
Action: Played in 12 games.
Stats: Five tackles.
Info: Viewed as a diamond in the rough during the recruiting process, Moody shined on special team this season. One of his more memorable moments came when he delivered a punishing block to help spring Waddle free for his 63-yard punt return against Louisiana-Lafayette. He earned special teams player of the week honors from Alabama’s coaching staff both that week as well as the following week against Arkansas.
Tevita Musika, defensive tackle
Rivals rankings: unranked
Action: Played in five games
Stats: Three tackles,
Info: Musika joined Alabama as a JUCO transfer and has provided depth at the nose guard position. The 6-foot-1, 338-pounder is the biggest member of Alabama’s defensive line.
Have not played
Jalyn Armour-Davis, cornerback
Rivals ratings: Four-star, No. 123 overall, No. 16 cornerback
Tommy Brown, offensive lineman
Rivals ratings: Four-star, No. 196 overall, No. 13 offensive tackle
Michael Parker, tight end
Rivals ratings: Four-star, No. 18 tight end
Christian Barmore, defensive lineman
Rivals ratings: Four-star, No. 19 defensive tackle
