Alabama Football: Huge NFL week by former Tiders could help program

Former Crimson Tide standouts had their talents on full display during week 7 of the NFL season. The stellar performances enhance Alabama football status.

Former Alabama football players had a week to remember during week 7 of the NFL season.  Starting on Thursday Night Football, former receiver Amari Cooper posted a career-high 210 receiving yards on 11 receptions.

From there, the rest of the NFL was playing catch up with Alabama football alumni, literally.

• O.J. Howard – 6 receptions – 98 yards – 2 touchdowns
• Mark Ingram – 22 carries – 105 yards – 1 touchdown
• T.J. Yeldon – 9 carries – 122 yards – 1 touchdown
• Julio Jones – 9 receptions – 99 yards – 1 touchdown
• Eddie Jackson – 2 defensive touchdowns (both 75-plus yards *NFL record)

That type of production from players from the same school, in the same week, is unheard of in the NFL.  It certainly didn’t go unnoticed from the man that molded them to be dominant players in college, Nick Saban:

"“That’s the kind of plays Eddie always seems to make, I was really, really happy for him. But I guess we had quite a few guys — O.J. and some other guys. Dont’a (Hightower) played well, I guess. Heard a lot of positive things about a lot of our players in the NFL yesterday.”"

With production like that in the pros, it can only mean great things for the program that they came from.  Two of which the Tide can always use:  recruiting and buying into the process.

What it could mean for recruiting

In somewhat of an unusual recruiting year, the Tide currently sits at number 21 on ESPN’s 2018 class rankings.  Now, there’s obviously plenty of time left to recruit, but for a team that’s finished in the top-3 since 2008, it raises some questions.

That’s where the dominance of week 7 could possibly help the Tide.  High school players obviously idolize players that they see performing on Sundays (Mondays and Thursdays too).

So, why not go to the source which helped them perfect their craft in hopes that they could possibly do the same for you. It’s no secret that Alabama, with 47 players in the pros, is as close to the NFL that you can get in college.

What it could mean for buying in to ‘The Process’

Coach Nick Saban recently spoke about how he wanted to get his players to listen to him and not the media.  It has also become an Alabama football way of life to get players to “buy into the process”.

Tide football player’s performances in week 7 put the process on full display.  If coach Saban needs you as a freshman, you’ll play.  If not, buy into the process and take full advantage of your opportunities when given.

Players like O.J. Howard and T.J. Yeldon were clearly talented but never complained about touches.  Instead, they bought into the process and when given opportunities, they made the best of them.  Similar to their performances on their respective  NFL teams Sunday.

Seeing how those players bought into the process, and the opportunities they have now, could help younger players at Alabama do the same.

Just ask current Tide safety, Ronnie Harrison:

"“The Process is like a transformation, I would call it, from going from a young man in high school to a grown man in college. If you trust The Process and trust the hard work and be dedicated to it, you’ll come out on top.”"

Next: Alabama Football: Minkah a Punt Returner, is it worth the risk?

NFL Week 7 definitely was not a fluke. We’ll surely see more former Tide players perform like this throughout the NFL season.