Alabama Crimson Tide: 2016 Football's Lost And Found

Sep 3, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban reacts before the game against the USC Trojans at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

With three games (and three W’s) under the Crimson Tide’s belt, which players have stood out from the crowd? Who is running around looking lost, and who has been found?

ICYMI: BamaHammer Podcast, Episode 6

Don’t look now Crimson Tide fans, but we are already a quarter of the way through the 2016 college football regular season. Hard to believe, right? It seems like only yesterday everyone was all excited because fall camp was about to start. Rumors flew as to who would be Bama’s quarterback and how Jeremy Pruitt’s defense was shaping up.

The old adage “Time flies when you’re having fun” is never more relevant for Bama fans than during the fall football season. The Crimson Tide started with a bang in Week 1. They shocked Southern California with a huge 52-6 victory over the Trojans in Dallas. Week 2 was a little sluggish for Bama against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, but Alabama did win 38-10.

Last week, everyone almost had a heart attack as the Crimson Tide took on Ole Miss in Oxford. Bama came back from a three-touchdown deficit to eventually best the Rebels 48-43. It was not the week to give up any vises for sure, but our boys brought home the coveted W.

Three games isn’t a lot of time to get a full picture of the team, but it certainly IS long enough for some players to really stand out – in good AND not so good ways.

So which Crimson Tide players have turned out exactly the way everyone predicted? Which of our boys have jumped out front and made an even bigger showing that people thought? And of course…who are we still waiting on to “show up”??

There are arguments for any number of players who fit each category. We’ve chosen to focus on a few who really stand out in our minds as we approach Week 4 of the college football regular season.

As Good As It Gets

Sep 10, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers running back Anthony Wales (20) is tackled by Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) and defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (93) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

While Bama certainly has some freshmen standouts this season, there are also some tried-and-true men we can always count on. The Crimson Tide has several players predicted to stand out this season – and they have done exactly that.

Calvin Ridley – Wide Receiver

The six-foot-one, 188-pound sophomore out of Coconut Creek Florida came on strong in the 2015 season, and even set a few records to boot.

Calvin set an SEC Freshman record with his 89 receptions last season, which is also the second-most by a true freshman in FBS history. Ridley was honored as a Freshman All-American after the 2015 season.

In the first three games of the 2016 season, the sophomore has racked up 19 receptions for 219 yards and one touchdown. Dubbed by some as “the best player on the team” during fall camp, Ridley has not disappointed. There is no doubt that the Crimson Tide will see just how fantastic this guy really is as the season continues.

Reuben Foster – Linebacker

Everyone knew that Reuben Foster, a senior from Tuscaloosa, was a force to be reckoned with coming into the 2016 season. Foster was included on 4 preseason “Watch Lists” for major college awards, including the Bednarik, Butkus, Nagurski and Lombardi Award.

Against USC in the opener, Foster delivered some debilitating hits to the Trojans. He logged four tackles, including one for a loss. In the first home game of the year against Western Kentucky, the inside linebacker some call “a monster” at his position, racked up a team-high six tackles – five of which were unassisted. After another fantastic showing for the Crimson Tide against Ole Miss last week, NFL.com reported that Foster is comparable to Carolina Panthers standout LB Luke Kuechly.

Foster is an absolute BEAST. Teams coming up on Bama’s schedule better be ready, or he will eat them for breakfast.

Jonathan Allen – Defensive Line

As well as becoming a beloved figure in Alabama Crimson Tide lore with his “Alabama Does” quote last season, defensive lineman Jonathan Allen continues to impress. Allen had the opportunity to go to the NFL last season, but chose to stay at Bama for his senior year. Based on what we’ve seen so far, this was an excellent decision.

At six-feet, three inches tall and 291 pounds, the senior is absolutely dominant on the field. So far in 2016, Allen has earned himself eleven tackles and three sacks. Those numbers are HUGE!! Allen made Alabama coaching staff’s Players Of the Game following his stellar performance against Western Kentucky in Week 2. Most college football teams do not have players as imposing as Jonathan Allen on their defensive line. But as Allen himself said, ” Alabama does.”

Shock And Awe

Sep 3, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) celebrates a touchdown with receiver ArDarius Stewart (13) during the third quarter against the USC Trojans at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Before the season began, questions swirled around this very young Alabama offense. Who would take the helm at quarterback, and how in the world would the Crimson Tide replace Heisman winner Derrick Henry? Would Bama simply “reload” as they have before, or would this be the “rebuilding” year other teams have come to expect in their own programs? It’s safe to say that those questions have now been answered.

Jalen Hurts -Quarterback

No position battle dominated conversations like the one surrounding the Crimson Tide’s revolving door of quarterbacks. Most people assumed (and were correct) that senior Cooper Bateman would get the starting nod against USC in Week 1. It became evident quickly, however, that the two main men for the job were redshirt freshman Blake Barnett and TRUE freshman Jalen Hurts. The two alternated in the game against the Trojans, but it was the Western Kentucky game where Hurts truly pulled ahead in the race.

In the home opener against the Hilltoppers, Hurts logged 287 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. He followed that standout performance with another against Ole Miss, and racked up another 158 yards. In just three games, the eighteen year old true freshman 563 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns.

Don’t forget that this time last season, Jalen was still playing HIGH SCHOOL football. Many collegiate seniors do not have numbers of that caliber, let alone true freshman. This young player has shouldered the responsibilities of leading the team like no other in the Crimson Tide’s recent years. Just envision the powerhouse quarterback Hurts will be as he continues to grow and develop under Nick Saban’s watchful eyes. Can you say “Heisman Trophy”? We sure can.

Damien Harris – Running Back

Competition for the Crimson Tide’s running back position was hot following the NFL drafting of 2015 Heisman winner Derrick Henry. Throughout the summer, sophomores Damien Harris and Bo Scarborough battled it out in the Tuscaloosa heat at practices. While big man Bo put up some good numbers so far this season, it’s been Harris who “emerged as the Tide’s go-to man in the backfield.”

Through the first three games of 2016, Harris already has 327 yards and one touchdown to his name. Harris earned a spot on the coaching staff’s Players of the Week list following the USC game, where he logged 138 yards on the ground. Selected this summer to the Doak Walker Award Preseason Watch List, Damien Harris is most certainly one to watch with the Crimson Tide in 2016.

Where The Hell Are They?

Sep 3, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; General view of the Alabama Crimson Tide offense and USC Trojans defense during the game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

OJ Howard – Tight End

OJ! Where are you, man? The Player of the Game from the Alabama Crimson Tide’s 2015 national championship victory has been noticeably “quiet” this season.

Howard, a 6’6″ tight end was expected to make waves in 2016, but so far we haven’t seen much from him. In Bama’s first three games, the senior has just six receptions for only 92 yards. Are his lower numbers due to poor performance? Difficulty at practice? Skilled players in other key positions? Or is Kiffin’s offense this season just designed differently, and in a way that under utilizes Howard?

It will take several games to really get a feel for OJ’s role on this 2016 team, but we all hope to see more from everyone’s favorite MVP.

The Offensive Line – All of Them

There really isn’t much to say about this one. Anyone who watched the Crimson Tide play this season knows that Alabama’s weakest link is the offensive line.

Holes everywhere.

Missed blocks.

Blown assignments.

Zero time in the pocket for the quarterback to get set and make big throws.

And if Cam Robinson jumps off the line to cause ANOTHER false start penalty, he won’t be worried about consequences from his arrest this summer – he’ll be dealing with the entire angry Bama nation.

Yes, overall this group of players is young, and yes, they will develop as the season continues. For the safety of our quarterback, though, let’s all hope it happens quickly.

Did we get it right? Who do you think deserve to be on our Lost and Found list at this point in the season? Don’t forget to tune into the Alabama Crimson Tide’s game against Nick Saban’s alma mater, Kent State, this weekend. Kickoff is set for Saturday morning at 11 AM central time.