Six Alabama Players in 247Sports’ Top 50

247Sports listed their top 50 players in college football for 2020, featuring six Alabama players in the top 30.  The highest ranked player on the list is Jaylen Waddle, who comes in at 13th.

Coming off a 2019 season in which he saw a much increased role in the offense and improved his already stellar special teams abilities, Waddle being ranked this highly should be no surprise.  Also featured in the rankings is DeVonta Smith (15th), Alex Leatherwood (19th), Dylan Moses (21st), Patrick Surtain (23rd), and Najee Harris (26th).

Waddle and Smith are undoubtedly two of the most electric players in the nation, with Smith racking up over 1,200 receiving yards last season and 14 touchdowns and Waddle having over 1,200 all-purpose yards and leading the nation in punt return average.

Smith, who was sometimes outshined by fellow Ryde Outs Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III has his first season the be the number one guy at receiver, and Waddle is a threat to take any punt or kick that comes close to him back for a touchdown. These two are absolutely some of college football's best.

Alex Leatherwood, recently named to the watchlist for the Outland Trophy, came in at 19th on 247Sports' rankings, which is fitting for one of the nations top offensive tackles.  The only tackle ranked higher than Leatherwood is Penei Sewell from Oregon, ranked 2nd.  Leatherwood posted a 99.1% success rate his junior season on over 700 snaps, and decided to forego the NFL draft, despite promising draft stock, to return for his senior year.

Dylan Moses, one of the highest rated linebackers in this year's draft class, and Patrick Surtain II, who started as a true freshman for the Tide, are mentioned at 21st and 23rd.  Moses, returning from a knee injury that caused him to miss the 2019 season, made the same decision as Alex Leatherwood to return despite high draft stock.

When healthy, Moses led the team in tackles in 2018, recording 86 and 10 for a loss.  Surtain II, having started since his freshman year, is the lone returning starter in the Alabama secondary.  In 2019, Surtain had 42 tackles, eight pass breakups, two interceptions, and three forced fumbles.  One of the most exciting prospects this year, Surtain will be a major leader and contributor for Alabama's defense this season.

Finally, coming in at 26th, Najee Harris.  While Harris may be ranked the lowest of his teammates, he should not be forgotten by any means.  Harris, in his first season as the feature back, rushed for over 1,200 yards and had 13 touchdowns, proving he is an elite running back in college football.  With his size and playstyle being very similar to former Heisman winning Alabama running back, Derrick Henry, it's easy to see why people are excited for his senior season.