Tide senior is the sixth Alabama football player to be named a semifinalist since 2012

 

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama senior tight end Hale Hentges was named to a list of 30 candidates for the 2018 Senior CLASS Award, it was announced Wednesday.

 

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

 

Hentges joins former Crimson Tide stars Barrett Jones (2012), AJ McCarron, (2013), Reggie Ragland (2015), O.J. Howard (2016) and JK Scott (2017) as the sixth UA player to be named a semifinalist under head coach Nick Saban.

 

Hentges has given his time to Habitat for Humanity and been active with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes during his career in Tuscaloosa. On the field, the Jefferson City, Mo., native has been a proficient blocker with excellent receiving skills. He has played a key role in helping the Tide running game rank as one of the best in the nation during his career. Through four games this season, he has three catches for 33 yards and two touchdowns, collecting both scoring grabs in the Tide’s 45-23 win over Texas A&M last weekend.

 

To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I FBS senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition.

 

The 30 candidates will be narrowed to 10 finalists midway through the regular season, and those names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, who will select one candidate who best exemplifies excellence in the four Cs of community, classroom, character and competition. Along with the winner, the 10 finalists will be award Senior CLASS Award first- or second-team honors.

 

This year’s winner will be announced during the football bowl season in early January.