Four Alabama Players Named First-Team All American in Preseason Magazine

Four Alabama players have been named a first-team All-American in Phil Steele’s Preseason Magazine, including Bryce Young, Will Anderson, Eli Ricks and Jordan Battle.

Young put together a stellar sophomore campaign in his first season under center. He completed 66.9% of his passes for 4,872 yards and 47 touchdowns, both ranked second nationally en route to becoming the school’s fourth Heisman Trophy winner in 12 years. He was also recognized as college football's Player of the Year by the Associated Press and The Sporting News.

College football had no answer for Anderson in 2021. Against Mississippi State, he became the third Alabama player to record four-plus sacks in a game. The Georgia native led the country in sacks (17.5) and tackles for loss (34.5), 12.5 more than the next closest player. He earned unanimous All-American honors, won the Bronko Nagurski Award, presented to the nation's top defensive player and SEC Defensive Player of the Year.

Ricks has intercepted five passes, returning two of them for a touchdown over the last two seasons. He earned third-team All-American honors as a freshman at LSU in 2020. The long, rangy cornerback has superb ball skills and a physical nature to his game.

Battle returns to Tuscaloosa for his senior year. He totaled 86 tackles and three interceptions, returning two of them for a touchdown and three pass breakups in 2021, which earned him first-team All-SEC and third-team All-American honors.

The Tide will open the season on Saturday, Sep. 3 against Utah State in Bryant-Denny Stadium. The kickoff is set for 6:30 CT.