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Two Alabama Football Players Earn SEC Honors
W stands for win, which Alabama has become accustomed to delivering. It also stands for Williams and for Waddle, which Crimson Tide fans can expect to hear plenty about based on their performances in Bamaās season-opening game.
Alabama nose tackle Quinnen Williams made his first start for the Crimson Tide in Saturdayās 51-14 victory over Louisville in Orlando. Jaylen Waddle was one of 10 Bama freshmen who saw action in that game. Both made the most of it and therefore were recognized for weekly honors from the Southeastern Conference, announced by the league Monday morning.
Waddle was named the SECās Freshman of the Week, while Williams earned Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week for the No. 1-ranked Crimson Tide.
Williams, a 6-4, 289-pound third-year sophomore from Birmingham, was taking over in the middle of the defensive line for former Bama star DaRon Payne, and playing between all-star candidates Raekwon Davis and Isaiah Buggs. Williams filled the Payne shoes admirably. In a shutdown performance by the Tide against Louisville in which the Cardinals had only 16 yards rushing in 26 attempts, Williams led the Alabama defense in tackles and tackles for loss. He was in on six total tackles, 3 Ā½ of which went for a loss of 12 yards. Both those numbers were career highs for Williams. He also contributed a pass break-up and a quarterback pressure.
Waddle was effective on multiple fronts in his first college football game, earning the start as Alabamaās punt return man and also serving in a back-up role at wide receiver. He is a 5-10, 177-pound speedster from Houston. He contributed four punt returns for 80 yards with a long of 31 (a touchdown return was wiped out by a penalty) and had three pass receptions for 66 yards. Waddle was the first wide receiver to play after Alabamaās star-studded trio of Henry Ruggs III, DeVonta Smith, and Jerry Jeudy. Waddle had a long reception of 49 yards to set up a one-yard touchdown run by Najee Harris for Alabamaās third score of the game as the Tide built a 28-0 lead at halftime and 34-0 advantage early in the game.
Williams and Waddle were also named to the Alabama coachesā player of the week list announced earlier. Also on that list were quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, offensive tackle Jonah Williams, safety Deionte Thompson, and special teams standouts Keaton Anderson and Josh Jacobs.
Historically in the 12-year Nick Saban Era of Alabama football, in which the Crimson Tide has dominated in team performance with national and conference championships, Bama players have also been rewarded with everything from weekly team awards to the Heisman Trophy and other top individual honors.
Alabama returns to action Saturday with its Bryant-Denny Stadium debut. The Tide will host Arkansas Stateat 2:35 p.m. CDT with ESPN2 televising the game.
W stands for win, which Alabama has become accustomed to delivering. It also stands for Williams and for Waddle, which Crimson Tide fans can expect to hear plenty about based on their performances in Bamaās season-opening game.
Alabama nose tackle Quinnen Williams made his first start for the Crimson Tide in Saturdayās 51-14 victory over Louisville in Orlando. Jaylen Waddle was one of 10 Bama freshmen who saw action in that game. Both made the most of it and therefore were recognized for weekly honors from the Southeastern Conference, announced by the league Monday morning.
Waddle was named the SECās Freshman of the Week, while Williams earned Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week for the No. 1-ranked Crimson Tide.
Williams, a 6-4, 289-pound third-year sophomore from Birmingham, was taking over in the middle of the defensive line for former Bama star DaRon Payne, and playing between all-star candidates Raekwon Davis and Isaiah Buggs. Williams filled the Payne shoes admirably. In a shutdown performance by the Tide against Louisville in which the Cardinals had only 16 yards rushing in 26 attempts, Williams led the Alabama defense in tackles and tackles for loss. He was in on six total tackles, 3 Ā½ of which went for a loss of 12 yards. Both those numbers were career highs for Williams. He also contributed a pass break-up and a quarterback pressure.
Waddle was effective on multiple fronts in his first college football game, earning the start as Alabamaās punt return man and also serving in a back-up role at wide receiver. He is a 5-10, 177-pound speedster from Houston. He contributed four punt returns for 80 yards with a long of 31 (a touchdown return was wiped out by a penalty) and had three pass receptions for 66 yards. Waddle was the first wide receiver to play after Alabamaās star-studded trio of Henry Ruggs III, DeVonta Smith, and Jerry Jeudy. Waddle had a long reception of 49 yards to set up a one-yard touchdown run by Najee Harris for Alabamaās third score of the game as the Tide built a 28-0 lead at halftime and 34-0 advantage early in the game.
Williams and Waddle were also named to the Alabama coachesā player of the week list announced earlier. Also on that list were quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, offensive tackle Jonah Williams, safety Deionte Thompson, and special teams standouts Keaton Anderson and Josh Jacobs.
Historically in the 12-year Nick Saban Era of Alabama football, in which the Crimson Tide has dominated in team performance with national and conference championships, Bama players have also been rewarded with everything from weekly team awards to the Heisman Trophy and other top individual honors.
Alabama returns to action Saturday with its Bryant-Denny Stadium debut. The Tide will host Arkansas Stateat 2:35 p.m. CDT with ESPN2 televising the game.
