Football Places Four on Pro Football Focus All-America Team
12/7/2016 2:55:00 PM | Football
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Alabama football team placed four players on the Pro Football Focus All-America Team, the organization announced Wednesday afternoon.
The Crimson Tide had four first-team honorees, the most of any school in the country. Nagurski Trophy winner Jonathan Allen and Butkus Award winner Reuben Foster were first-team selections, while fellow senior O.J. Howard and sophomore Minkah Fitzpatrick also received first-team nods.
Allen, the 2016 Nagurski Trophy winner and SEC Defensive Player of the Year, has been a disruptive force in the middle of the vaunted Alabama defensive front that leads the country in rush defense (63.4 ypg). He has a career-high 56 tackles this season, including 13 for a loss (-81 yards) and 8.5 sacks (-72 yards). In addition, Allen has 15 quarterback hurries, a blocked field goal attempt and two fumble recoveries, both of which were returned for touchdowns.
Foster, the 2016 Butkus Award winner, has captained an Alabama defense that is widely regarded as the best in the country. The unit ranks first nationally in both total defense (247.8 ypg) and rush defense (63.4 ypg), as well as scoring defense (11.8 ppg). Foster leads the Crimson Tide in tackles with 94, including 12 for a loss (-56 yards) and four sacks (-33 yards). He also has recorded eight quarterback hurries and two pass breakups.
Howard, the Tide's third PFF first-team choice, was named to an All-American team for the first time in his career. On the season, the Mackey Award finalist has hauled in 37 passes for 445 yards and two touchdowns. He has also made a huge impact as a blocker, helping open running lanes for a Crimson Tide rushing attack that ranks in the top-15 nationally with an average of 245 yards per game.
Fitzpatrick is currently enjoying his best season with the Crimson Tide, recording a career-high 56 tackles, including five tackles for a loss (-14 yards) and a sack (-9 yards). The sophomore leads the SEC with five interceptions and 158 return yards, including two pick-sixes. The two returns for a score give Fitzpatrick four in his career, the most in Alabama history.
Get all the latest information on the team by following @AlabamaFTBL on Twitter and Facebook and AlabamaFBL on Instagram. General athletic news can also be found at UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and AlabamaAthletics on Facebook.
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