Alabama Football lands 5 players on AP preseason All-America teams

Star defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick leads the way as 5 Alabama football players have been named as preseason All-Americans by the Associated Press

 The Associated Press released their pre-season All-America list today and as usual, the University of Alabama was well represented.  Leading the way was star defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick, who also ended the 2016 season as an All-American as well.

Although Fitzpatrick was the only Alabama player named first team, the Tide were well represented on the second team.  Players named to the second team were Bo Scarbrough, Jonah Williams, Calvin Ridley, and JK Scott.

This is a true testament of the talent that Alabama has this year compared to everyone else. The five players being named between the two teams resulted in Alabama leading the nation in selections, while the rest of the SEC had a total of four players make the first team and five make the second team:

Alabama – First Team DB Minkah Fitzpatrick Second Team RB Bo Scarbrough, T Jonah Williams, WR Calvin Ridley & K JK Scott

Arkansas – Second Team C Frank Ragnow

Auburn – First Team K Daniel Carlson Second Team G Braden Smith

Florida – Second Team K Eddy Pineiro & DB Duke Dawson

Georgia – Second Team RB Nick Chubb

Kentucky – *NO PLAYERS SELECTED*

LSU –  First Team RB Derrius Guice & LB Arden Key (1^st Team)

Mississippi State – *NO PLAYERS SELECTED*

Missouri – *NO PLAYERS SELECTED*

Ole Miss – *NO PLAYERS SELECTED*

South Carolina – *NO PLAYERS SELECTED*

Tennessee – *NO PLAYERS SELECTED*

Texas A&M – First Team WR Christian Kirk

Vanderbilt – *NO PLAYERS SELECTED*

From the outside looking in it seems that the SEC produced a decent amount of talent for both teams.  However, a look closer shows that 7 teams, half of the conference, failed to land a player on either team.  No team produced more than 2 All-Americans other than Alabama.  A full view of the All-America list can be found here.

Undoubtedly, this has been a huge news week for the Alabama football team. They were also named the top team in the AP Top 25 released earlier this week.  However, whether they stay in that spot throughout the season remains to be seen.  Let’s forget about the other teams under Coach Saban that started the season ranked #1 because this is clearly not them.

Certainly, his team has the depth and leadership on both sides of the ball to avoid any type of letdown.  I’m betting that the Tide adds, even more, names to the All-America list after the season ends.

Next: Alabama football opponents from worst to best: No. 2 Auburn

Obviously, Alabama’s first test will be a huge one.  They open against a Florida State team who has two All-American DBs, Tavarus McFadden and Derwin James.