When has a defensive player entered the season with this much hype???Mr. Anderson, welcome back. We missed you.
Charles Woodson?When as a defensive player entered the season with this much hype???
We are now 31 days away from kickoff! Sam Shade (31) played defensive back at Alabama from 1991-1994. Shade joined the Tide on an academic scholarship and would later earn a master's degree at Alabama. On the field, Shade was a very physical safety that played primarily in the box. Sam helped set the tone physically as a major contributor on the 1992 Tide defense that has gone down as one of the best in Alabama history. Of course, that 1992 defense would bring the Tide to National Championship glory after completely dominating the Miami offense and Heisman QB Gino Torretta in the 1993 Sugar Bowl. Shade would continue to help the Tide defense through the 1993 and 1994 seasons as the Tide made the SEC Championship Game for the second and third consecutive years. Shade was a team captain on the 1994 that went 12-1, beating Ohio State in the Citrus Bowl. After graduating, Sam Shade was drafted in the 4th round of the 1995 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. He would enjoy a very successful eight-year NFL career with the Bengals and Washington Redskins (now Commanders). Over the course of his NFL career Shade accumulated 528 total tackles, 8.5 sacks, 9 fumble recoveries, and 10 interceptions. After his playing career came to a close, Shade began a coaching career. Coach Shade is the current head coach of the football team at Miles College.
We are 30 days away from kickoff! Dont’a Hightower played linebacker at Alabama from 2008-2011. Hightower started at “Will” linebacker for Coach Nick Saban as soon as he arrived at Alabama, amassing a total of 64 tackles to help the Tide make the SEC Championship Game. For his efforts, Hightower was named a consensus Freshman All-American. After battling a knee injury in 2009 and a rough season for the whole Alabama team in 2010, Hightower excelled in 2011. Hightower had career highs in almost every defensive category including total tackles (85), tackles for loss (11), and sacks (4) to help the 2011 Tide defense allow just 8.8 points per game. That Alabama team would go onto win the National Championship, shutting out first ranked LSU in the Natty. For his efforts in 2011, Hightower was named a Consensus All-American and First Team All-SEC. After graduating, Hightower was drafted with the 25th overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. Hightower has had a fantastic career with the Patriots thus far. He is a three-time Super Bowl Champion (XLIX, LI, LIII), a two-time Pro Bowler, and he was named All-Pro in 2016. Hightower was also named to the New England Patriots All-2010s Team.
The Crimson Tide kicks off in just 29 days, so let's look at one of the most versatile players of the Nick Saban era, Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Wish I could find a copy of the whole game.Another underrated #29 TB, Ahmaad Galloway, also seen ripping through Auburn's defense during a 31-7 mudhole stomping in Jordan-Hare.
Where's the Minkah write up?29 Days till Alabama Football: Minkah Fitzpatrick.
View attachment 27237
WEARING #29 THIS YEAR ELIJAH CROCKETT
View attachment 27238
- POSITION RB
- HEIGHT 5-11
- WEIGHT 210
- CLASS Sophomore
- HOMETOWN Chino Hills, Calif.
- HIGH SCHOOL Ruben S. Ayala
ALSO WEARING #29 THIS YEAR LOGAN MOONEY
View attachment 27239
- POSITION DB
- HEIGHT 5-11
- WEIGHT 175
- CLASS Freshman
- HOMETOWN Stevensville, Mich.
- HIGH SCHOOL Lakeshore
That smile says, "I just knocked down you quarterback."WEARING # 31 THIS YEAR WILL ANDERSON JR.
He will finish his career as the best Bama player to ever wear #31.
- POSITION LB
- HEIGHT 6-4
- WEIGHT 243
- CLASS Junior
- HOMETOWN Hampton, Ga.
- HIGH SCHOOL Dutchtown
View attachment 27190
I've been getting them from Paul W. Bryant Museum | Facebook they didn't do a #29Where's the Minkah write up?
We are now 28 days away from kickoff! Javier Arenas (28) was a defensive back and return specialist at Alabama from 2006-2009. Javier Arenas is one of the greatest return-men in program history. As a freshman in 2006, Arenas totaled 286 yards on punt returns and 344 yards on kick returns with two of those punts being returned for TDs against Florida International and Oklahoma State in the Independence Bowl. As a sophomore, Javier’s impact grew as he started to see time as a DB along with his special teams' duties. He garnered 20 total tackles with two tackles for loss as a DB and added 980 total yards in the return game with one punt return TD against LSU. Arenas had his best statistical season as a junior in 2008, amassing 63 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and one interception that was returned for a TD in a 49-14 win against Arkansas. On special teams that year, Arenas totaled 1,264 yards as a return specialist with 3 punt return TDs that came against Tulane, Mississippi State, and Utah in the Sugar Bowl. Arenas carried his magic into his senior season. In 2009, Arenas had 71 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, five sacks, and five interceptions on defense. On special teams, Arenas finished the year with 1,044 total return yards and one punt return TD against Chattanooga. That TD gave Arenas his seventh career punt return which broke the SEC record for career punt return TDs. Javier’s magic on defense and special teams helped the Tide go undefeated and win the SEC and National Championship, the first of each at Alabama for Coach Nick Saban. For his efforts in 2009, Arenas was named First Team All-SEC, Consensus All-American, and SEC Special Teams Player of the Year. After graduating, Arenas was drafted with the 50th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. He would go on to have a solid eight-year pro career before returning to Alabama as a coach in 2018. Arenas won his second National Championship ring with the Tide in 2020 as an analyst.