Alabama Football: Final thoughts on player performances against Ole Miss

Let’s review the top Alabama football players against Ole Miss and also encouraging progress from another group of Crimson Tide players.

The Alabama football win over Ole Miss was a team victory. Tide players on both sides of the ball had highly productive games. On Monday, the Alabama football coaching staff will hand out POTW awards. We are trying a broader approach by listing every player who appeared, from our television view, deserving of top player recognition.

Just outside our top list, is a second list designating players for encouraging performance. Our conclusions are only loosely tied to player stats and our perception is admittedly subjective.

No doubt we probably missed some strong play by other Tide players, particularly in the trenches. We begin with the Alabama football defense, given the Ole Miss offense offered the strongest competition on the night.

Top Defensive Players

Note: the bullets are intentionally not numbered to avoid the appearance of a ‘best’ ranking.

• Trevon Diggs – Diggs made two sensational plays knocking away well-thrown passes. The first pass breakup (PBU) might have prevented an Ole Miss touchdown when the game was tied 7-7. His stat line for the game was one tackle and two PBU’s.
• Quinnen Williams – Williams was again a force in the middle of the defense. His quickness and smarts make him tough to shut down. For the game, he was credited with six tackles and a QB hurry (QBH).
• Christian Miller – Miller had easily his best game of the season. He made five tackles that included 2.5 for a loss and 2.5 sacks.
• Deionte Thompson – Deionte had four tackles and an interception and 40-yard return. More importantly, he makes everybody in the secondary better.
• Xavier McKinney – X had three tackles, a forced fumble and a pick-six from thirty yards out.

Top Offensive Players

• Tua Tagovailoa – Tua deserves a category all to himself. The entire college football world is buzzing about him and he has never come close to playing a full college game. Listing his Ole Miss stats is not necessary. The only surprises from Tua at this point are when he doesn’t make a great play.
• The three-headed monster at Running Back;  Damien, Najee and Josh – Combined, they got 27 touches. The result was 260 yards, including the kick returns by Jacobs.
• Jerry Jeudy – Jeudy splits time with Jaylen Waddle which reduces his opportunities to be targeted. Against Ole Miss, Devonta Smith and Henry Ruggs got over 50 snaps. Jeudy was in for only 37 plays. During which he caught three passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns.
• Jonah Williams – Jonah does pass blocking and run blocking exceptionally well. He was superb against Ole Miss.
• Irv Smith Jr. – Smith is a tight end who can block, and catch passes like a wide receiver. He had three receptions for 42 yards and one touchdown.

A shorter list of encouraging performances

• Jalen Hurts – He showed against Ole Miss he is an improved quarterback.
• Jaylen Waddle – He only stood out on two plays but it was two impressive plays. One was a punt return for 37 yards, the other a pass reception for 30 yards.
• Patrick Surtain Jr. – His lone stat was a single tackle but he went toe-to-toe with CFB’s top receivers.
• Anfernee Jennings – Two tackles and half a sack, and more importantly, he looked to be getting his speed back.
• Alex Leatherwood and Ross Piersbacher – Both turned in strong performances in pass protection.
• Josh McMillon – Josh made three tackles and is looking more like a capable run stopper at inside linebacker.

We close with an added observation. The 2018 coaching staff is doing a great job. Based on the Ole Miss game, Mike Locksley, Dan Enos and Tosh Lupoi deserve added recognition.

Next up the Aggies from College Station. Probably no other teams have as many close connections as TAMU and the Crimson Tide.