Alabama football held its annual awards banquet Sunday. The banquet is the setting for awards for outstanding performance during the 2017 season.
Numerous Alabama football players received awards, all richly deserved and no doubt deeply appreciated. No one award stands above all the others, but three of the awards gain additional significance because they are selected by the players.
In 1947 Harry Gilmer was the first Alabama football player to begin a Crimson Tide tradition. Just off the sidewalk running up and down University Boulevard, Gilmer’s handprint and cleat print were set in concrete. In the ensuing years, all Alabama football captains have been honored in the same manner.
The path of cement etchings leads up to the base of Denny Chimes, around either side and continues on toward the Gorgas library. While some of the older cement installations are fading, the honor bestowed on these men will never decay.
Next spring four young men will have their names, hand and cleat prints added to the walkway and Crimson Tide history. Elected by their teammates, they are the permanent captains of the 2017 Alabama Crimson Tide: Bradley Bozeman; Minkah Fitzpatrick; Shaun Dion Hamilton and Rashaan Evans.
2017 Player Awards – Selected by Players
- Most Valuable Player – Minkah Fitzpatrick
- Most Inspiring Player – Shaun Dion Hamilton
2017 Player Awards – Selected by Alabama Football Staff
- Unsung Hero – Ronnie Clark, Josh Jacobs, Dylan Moses, Jamey Mosley, Mack Wilson
- Outstanding Senior Scholar – Bradley Bozeman, Shaun Dion Hamilton
- Commitment to Academic Excellence – Keith Holcombe, Brandon Kennedy, Joshua McMillon, Chris Owens, Richie Petitbon, Jonah Williams
- Iron Man – Joshua Frazier, Cam Sims, Quinnen Williams, Matt Womack
- Pat Trammel (Leadership) – Robert Foster, J.C. Hassenauer
- Outstanding Defensive Performer – Minkah Fitzpatrick, Ronnie Harrison, Da’Ron Payne, Levi Wallace
- Up-Front (outstanding linemen) – Isaiah Buggs, Lester Cotton Sr., Da’Shawn Hand, Jonah Williams
- Defensive Achievement – Anthony Averett, Raekwon Davis, Shaun Dion Hamilton, Anfernee Jennings
- Offensive Achievement – Bradley Bozeman, Hale Hentges, Ross Pierschbacher, Bo Scarbrough
- President’s (Perseverance) – Rashaan Evans, Damien Harris, Hootie Jones, Irv Smith Jr.
- Special Teams Player of the Year – Keaton Anderson, Tony Brown, Keith Holcombe, Andy Pappanastos, JK Scott
- Offensive Player of the Year – Damien Harris, Jalen Hurts, Calvin Ridley
- Defensive Player of the Year – Rashaan Evans, Ronnie Harrison, Da’Ron Payne
Former Crimson Tide player, Brodie Croyle was also recognized as the Jefferson County Distinguished Alumnus.
The awards season is far from over for Alabama football. Many of these Crimson Tide players are semi-finalists and finalists for national player awards.
Next: The Best Championship Games in Crimson Tide History
Bradley Bozeman was recently selected as a finalist (along with two others) for the 2017 Rimington Award. The award goes to the top FBS Center in the nation. Previous Crimson Tide Rimington Trophy winners are Barrett Jones and Ryan Kelly.