Two Alabama players received another All-America honor on Tuesday.
Defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick and center Bradley Bozeman were named All-Americans by The Sporting News. Fitzpatrick made the first team, while Bozeman was on the second team.
Fitzpatrick is a consensus first-team All-American, having already received honors from the AP, the Football Writers Association of America and Walter Camp. Bozeman was a second-team All-American from those groups. Fitzpatrick could become a unanimous All-American choice.
He won the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation’s best defensive back, and the Chuck Bednarik Award, given to the nation’s best defensive player. Bozeman was a finalist for the Rimington Trophy, given to the nation’s best center. Alabama’s offensive line is also a finalist for the Joe Moore Award, given to the best offensive line in college football.
Both players are permanent team captains for Alabama.
Fitzpatrick has 52 tackles, including six tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks this season. He has an interception, seven pass breakups, three quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and a blocked kick this season. He has played every position in the Alabama secondary during his career.
Bozeman has graded out at an average of 85.6 percent this year, allowing two sacks and four pressures all season. He’s the signal caller of the offensive line, which is one of three finalists for the Joe Moore Award. He has 16 knockdown blocks and just seven missed assignments this year in 724 snaps.
Alabama leads the SEC in yards before contact (4.17 per carry) and ranks 10th nationally in rushing with 265.3 yards per game. The offense is averaging 39.1 points per game this season, 12th nationally, and 465.4 yards per game to rank 20th in the country.
