Diggs, McKinney, Smith, Waddle and Wills Jr. earned All-America honors from the AP

 

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. –The Alabama football team placed five players on the Associated Press All-America Team, the outlet announced Monday afternoon.

 

The Crimson Tide had three second-team honorees including junior wide receiver DeVonta Smith, sophomore wideout/return specialist Jaylen Waddle and junior offensive lineman Jedrick Wills Jr. Senior defensive back Trevon Diggs and junior safety Xavier McKinney were named to the third team on defense.

 

SECOND TEAM

DeVonta Smith, Wide Receiver

  • Leads the nation in yards after the catch with 731 for an average of 61.0 yards per game
  • Ranks second in the SEC and is tied for fifth nationally in touchdown receptions (13)
  • Leads Alabama in receiving yards with 1,200, a total that is second in the league and seventh nationally
  • Has recorded a pair of 200-plus yard receiving games as a junior, the first Tide wideout to accomplish the feat since Amari Cooper in 2014

 

Jedrick Wills Jr., Offensive Tackle

  • Has anchored an Alabama offensive line that has surrendered only 12 sacks in 381 pass attempts
  • Graded out at over 91 percent, allowing only one sack and 3.5 quarterback hurries
  • Missed a total of seven assignments across his 714 snaps for a 99.9 percent success rate

 

Jaylen Waddle, All-Purpose

  • The 2019 SEC Special Teams Player of the Year
  • Leads the nation in punt return average at 24.9 yards per return with 19 returns for 474 yards and a score
  • Has also returned four kickoffs for 152 yards and a touchdown
  • Added 553 yards and six touchdowns on 32 catches as a wide receiver

 

THIRD TEAM

Trevon Diggs, Cornerback

  • Totaled 37 tackles from his starting corner spot, including half a tackle for loss (-1 yard)
  • Picked off three passes with a combined 79 yards in returns while adding eight pass breakups
  • Recorded two defensive touchdowns this season, scoring on an 84-yard pick-six and a 100-plus yard fumble return

 

Xavier McKinney, Safety

  • Ranks 12th in the SEC in tackles with 85, a total that leads all Alabama defenders
  • Added 4.5 tackles for loss (-32 yards) and two sacks (-13 yards)
  • Has forced four fumbles and added three interceptions to go with five breakups
  • Returned one of his interceptions for an 81-yard touchdown