We are 78 days away from kickoff! Mike Johnson was an offensive lineman for Alabama from 2006-2009. Though he was not recruited by Nick Saban, Saban's first year in charge of the Tide (2007) marked Johnson's first year as a starter. Johnson would then remain the starter through 2009 and as Alabama continued to exponentially improve under Saban, he did as well. For his efforts in 2008, Mike was named a First Team All-American by Pro Football Weekly and he was just getting started. In 2009, behind a legendary offensive line led by now team captain Mike Johnson, Alabama would return to the top of college football, going undefeated and winning the program's first National Championship in 17 years. The offensive line also paved the way for RB Mark Ingram to ground and pound his way to the first Heisman Trophy in program history. Mike Johnson was named First Team All-SEC and First Team All-American for his efforts that season. After graduating, Johnson was selected in the 3rd Round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. He would go on to spend five years in Atlanta.
We are now 77 days away from kickoff! Barry Krauss (77) was a linebacker for Alabama from 1976-1978. Krauss burst onto the scene in 1977, leading the team in tackles with 91. However, 1978 was the season he would be remembered for. Krauss increased his tackle total to 112 in 1978 and played a crucial role in the Tide going 10-1 and winning the SEC. Their final opponent that season would Penn State in the Sugar Bowl. In the Sugar Bowl, Krauss made one of the most iconic plays in college football history. Penn State had the ball at 4th and goal about one foot from the goal line and decided to try to power it in. This would prove to be a costly mistake for Joe Paterno and the Nittany Lions as Krauss stopped Penn State RB Mike Guman dead in his tracks. The Tide went on to win the game 14-7 and Barry Krauss was named Sugar Bowl MVP. For his efforts in leading the Tide to a National Championship, Krauss was awarded All-SEC and All-American honors for the 1978 season. After his Tide career came to a close, Barry was drafted with the 6th overall pick in the 1979 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Colts (now Indianapolis). He would enjoy most of his fantastic 12-year NFL career with the Colts before finishing it with the Dolphins. Krauss was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.
High School and Personal Data
Offensive line prospect with impressive point-ofattack strength on the interior … four-star recruit by the 247Composite along with ESPN.com … a top-15 offensive guard, including a No. 3 ranking from ESPN.com and No. 14 by 247Composite and Rivals … rated No. 251 nationally and No. 39 player from the state of Texas by the 247Compositie … No. 27 offensive guard and No. 72 overall player from Texas according to 247Sports … the No. 45 player from Texas according to Rivals.com … listed at No. 98 on ESPN300, No. 3 at his position, the No. 19 player in the Southeast Region and No. 17 player in his state by ESPN.com … selected to the Under Armour All-America Game … played at North Shore High School in Houston, Texas, where he was coached by Jon Kay … led North Shore to a 15-1 record and second consecutive Texas 6A D-I state championship as a junior in 2019 … chose Crimson Tide over Auburn.
As they unpiled on the previous play, Krause said to the PSU QB, "It's about a foot to go. Y'all had better throw for it."
We are 76 days away from kickoff! D.J. Fluker (76) was offensive lineman for Alabama from 2009-2012. Fluker joined the Tide as a highly touted 5-star prospect and once he got his shot, he did not disappoint. Fluker gained the starting right tackle spot in 2010 during his redshirt freshman season and did not relinquish the spot until 2012. Fluker and the Tide O-Line protected many great players in that period including QB AJ McCarron and RBs Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson, and Eddie Lacy. With this plethora of talent and a fantastic defense, Fluker and co. won back-to-back National Championships in 2011-2012. Fluker was recognized for his efforts in the latter year as he was named First Team All-SEC and All-American in 2012. After graduating, Fluker was drafted with the 11th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers. He has made 96 starts in his NFL career thus far.
High School and Personal Data
Elite offensive tackle prospect from the talent-rich state of Texas ... unanimous five-star prospect and a top-three tackle by all major recruiting sites ... the No. 1 offensive tackle by ESPN.com where he also ranks as the No. 2 prospect on the ESPN300 ... Texas' top-rated player by ESPN.com, PrepStar, Rivals and the 247Composite ... PrepStar's No. 4 prospect on the Top 150 Dream Team ... the nation's No. 5 recruit and No. 2 offensive tackle on the 247Composite ... No. 8 on the Rivals250 list and the third-rated tackle by the site ... also tabbed the 10th-rated five-star prospect as graded by Rivals ... the 10th-ranked player nationally on the Top247 list and No. 2 tackle according to 247Sports ... selected to the Under Armour All-America Game roster ... attended All Saints Episcopal High School in Fort Worth, Texas, where he was coached by Aaron Beck ... twin brother of fellow 2021 recruit James Brockermeyer ... father, Blake, was a former All-America offensive tackle at Texas and spent nine years in the NFL ... signed with the Crimson Tide over Auburn, Clemson, Michigan, Notre Dame and Texas.
We are now 75 days away from kickoff! Barrett Jones (75) was an offensive lineman for Alabama from 2008-2012. He is one of the most decorated lineman in college football history. Jones started at right guard in all 14 games as a redshirt freshman in 2009. He would help Alabama win the 2009 National Championship and for his efforts was named a Freshman All-American. He would play right guard through his sophomore year, but he was moved to left tackle in 2011 as a Junior. Jones was absolutely phenomenal at left tackle. He helped protect AJ McCarron's blindside on route to another National Championship in 2011. For his efforts, he was named First Team All-SEC, First Team All-American. He was also awarded a plethora of individual awards including the Outland Trophy (best lineman in the country), the Jim Parker Trophy (best lineman in the country), and the Jacobs Blocking Trophy (best lineman in the SEC). Despite his dominance, Barrett was moved to center for the 2012 season due to team needs. He would be equally dominant at center as he was at tackle and guard. The Tide would go on to win the National Championship once again in 2012 with Jones snapping the ball and he would once again be recognized for his incredible efforts. Jones was named First Team All-SEC and First Team All-American for the second consecutive year. He also won the Rimington Trophy (best center in the country). After graduating, Jones was drafted in the 4th round of the NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams and is now a radio commentator for ESPN!
One of my favorite moments in Alabama FB history. Love the passion!
We are now 74 days away from kickoff! Cam Robinson (74) was an offensive tackle for Alabama from 2014-2016. Robinson had an immediate impact for the Tide, starting all 14 games of his true freshman season at left tackle. He would prove to be very trustworthy and for his efforts as a freshman, he was named a Freshman All-American. His sophomore season saw even more success as Cam blocked for Heisman Winner RB Derrick Henry and played a crucial role in Alabama winning the 2015 SEC and National Championship. For his efforts, he was named First Team All-SEC. After helping the Tide to another SEC Championship and National Championship Game appearance in 2016, he was awarded the Outland Trophy (Nation's best interior lineman) and the Jacob's Blocking Trophy (SEC's best blocker). He was also named First Team All-SEC and a Unanimous All-American. Overall, Cam only surrendered three QB sacks out of 861 total snaps at Bama. Robinson was drafted with the 34th pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He has been the left tackle for the Jags ever since.
We are now 73 days away from kickoff! John Hannah (73) was an offensive lineman for Alabama from 1970-1972. Hannah is, to put it simply, one of the greatest offensive linemen in the history of football. Hannah burst onto the scene in 1971, helping the Tide win an SEC Championship. For his efforts, he was named a 1971 All-American and he would repeat that feat once again in 1972. His incredible college performance led him to be named to the Alabama 1970s All-Decade Team and the Alabama All-Century Team. Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant called Hannah the greatest lineman he had ever coached. After Alabama, Hannah was drafted with the 4th overall pick in the 1973 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots where he would spend his entire 13-year NFL career. His legend would only grow once making the league. By the time his NFL career was done, Hannah had been named to 10 All-Pro Teams, 9x Pro Bowls, the NFL 1970s and 1980s All-Decade Teams, and the NFL 75th Anniversary and 100th Anniversary All-Time Teams. His number "73" was retired by the Patriots and he was inducted into both the Pro Football and College Football Hall of Fames. John Hannah had so many accolades that some were likely missed but there is no doubt he is one of the greatest players to ever wear the Crimson and White.
We are 72 days away from kickoff! Fred Pickhard was a tackle for Alabama from 1924-1927. In 1926, Pickhard blocked a punt against Sewanee that bounced through the end zone leading to a safety which was just enough for the Tide to secure a 2-0 victory. Pickhard would add two more blocks that season in a 24-0 victory over LSU, bringing his season total to three. Only 16 punts were blocked total that season across all of college football! Pickhard's grit helped Alabama to an undefeated 9-0-1 season in 1926, with the tie being against Stanford in the Rose Bowl (Pickhard was named MVP of that game). That was enough for Wallace Wade's Tide to clinch its second consecutive National Championship. For his efforts, Pickhard was named to the All-Southern Conference and All-American Teams. He would repeat both of these individual feats in 1927 as team captain his senior year.
Classy!One of my favorite moments in Alabama FB history. Love the passion!
One of my favorite Julio highlights! IIRCC, the star LSU DB that would have normally been in the game had exited the game for that play with a minor injury and the OC dialed up that play at just the right time in a tight game!