Alabama football made a good showing in the selections for this season’s NFL Pro Bowl, but current Crimson Tide members and NFL rookies may shine brighter next year.
Four former Alabama football players were recently announced as making the National Football League’s Pro Bowl rosters; however, it is very possible that a number of Alabama alumni will blanket over the rosters next season.
Whatever one may think of the Pro Bowl, being declared the best of the best in any profession is a huge compliment. When many of the impact players come from the same college program, that program must be doing something right. In the case of the Crimson Tide, the present and future stars of the NFL are built by Bama.
ICYMI: Alabama Football Night Before Christmas 2017
Just look at running back Kenyan Drake for the Miami Dolphins. When Jay Ajayi was still rushing for the Dolphins, Drake was almost not even an afterthought. Many people thought that Miami trading Ajayi was foolish, only getting a 2018 fourth-round draft pick in return.
However, the Dolphins must have known all along what they had in Drake, especially after seeing plays like this:
The 23-year-old only started once last season but has started four times since the trade, carrying the ball 106 times for 512 yards. That’s an average of 4.8 yards per carry. Scoring three touchdowns in four starts isn’t too shabby, either.
Drake’s patience at letting the blocks happen puts the linebackers to sleep. Even though his cuts are lightning quick, it is as if he is running in slow motion and yet the defenders still cannot figure out where he went, until he is well past them.
The same could be said for Derrick Henry of the Tennessee Titans. He also has been the victim of watching someone else start in front of him. In Henry’s case, it is because of veteran running back DeMarco Murray.
While Murray had great success with the Dallas Cowboys, much of that had to do with their offensive line dominating their opponents. It’s easy to run to daylight when there’s barely any shadows to be seen. Since moving from Dallas to Philadelphia and then to Tennessee, Murray has seen his yards per carry shrink significantly.
Meanwhile, Henry has capitalized on every opportunity to carry the ball. In this sophomore season, Henry has rushed 140 times for 668 yards, good enough for 4.8 yards per carry. Murray has more carries but has only rushed for 3.6 yards per attempt.
Henry’s five touchdowns help polish up the shine coming from his big smile, but seeing his former teammates at Alabama shine their stars brightly keeps him smiling:
Cue the Beast.
Outside linebacker Reuben Foster has yanked the spoon from Ezekiel Elliot’s hand and has started feasting on opposing offenses for the San Francisco 49ers. Just another example of Bama taking what Ohio State wanted, I guess.
After missing much of the first half of the season, Foster has made his presence known, driving running backs and receivers into the ground. In only eight games, he has made 62 tackles, each of them looking like he is punishing the opposing player for daring to come near him with the football.
When one is a rookie but is already making other players nervous to carry or catch the ball if he is on the field, that in itself is a statement.
Want to know what else makes a statement? Numbers:
Numbers don't lie! @EJackson_4 #BuiltByBama pic.twitter.com/bO0ICzfSDP
— Trey White (@TreyTBoWhite24) December 21, 2017
Does anything else need to be said about free safety Eddie Jackson? All that he does is end the discussion when it comes to trying to score on him. He was built Bama tough.
Imagine if defensive end Jonathan Allen did not get sidelined with an injury that required surgery. Imagine if he got going for the Washington Redskins like he did for Alabama, when it looked like he was a giant among men.
Or, just imagine defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick when he finally arrives in the NFL, next season. Imagine if he plays strong safety along with Jackson on the Bears. Imagine how how much of an impact he will make when he brings his high football IQ, that was built by Bama, which will keep him calm during his learning pains. And, one better believe that he will learn fast.
Next: The 50 Best Players In Alabama Football History
Next season, Alabama alumni may litter almost the entire Pro Bowl rosters. The absolute talent of these players is only matched by their toughness, effort, discipline, and commitment to becoming the best NFL players they could possibly be. That pride comes from being built by Bama. Anyone who thinks Alabama has swarmed the NFL has not seen anything yet.
Just wait a year.