Offense:
Photo courtesy of AP
MVP: Bryce Young
The reigning Heisman Trophy winner had his best game of the season against the Commodores finishing 25-36 for 385 yards & 4 TDs (1 rush 6 yards). The Alabama offense went up-tempo early, attacking a struggling Vanderbilt secondary. Young got into a rhythm right away and with surgeon-like precision picked apart the Eastern Division SEC foe until exiting late in the 3rd quarter after a Jase McClellan 12 yard TD run staked Alabama to a 41-3 lead. Jalen Milroe & 5-Star frosh Ty Simpson finished the 55-3 rout for the Crimson Tide at QB.
Photo courtesy of 247sports
Newcomer Game Ball: Jermain Burton
The junior transfer portal edition from Georgia had his best game in Crimson. The California native finished with 4 catches for 94 yards, including a 48 yard vertical strike with 11 seconds left in the first half that set up a Will Reichard 40 yard field goal to stake Alabama to a 31-3 halftime lead in Tuscaloosa. Hopefully this will be the breakout game he needs to become a bigger part of the offense going forward.
Photo courtesy of the SEC Media Portal
Newcomer Gameball: Jamarion Miller
The freshman from Tyler (TX) Legacy High School is THE HAMMER of this Crimson Tide offense & is pushing for more playing time in a crowded Alabama running back room. Listed at 5-10 201 on rolltide.com, Miller runs MUCH bigger than his listed size. Since the season opener vs. Utah State, the Lonestar state native has helped Nick Saban do one of his favorite things: Take the air out of the football to close out an opponent. He finished off Vandy with a 40 yard TD on Alabama’s final offensive snap finishing the game with 9 carries for 63 yards & two scores.
Photo courtesy of the SEC Media Portal
Unsung Hero: Ja’Corey Brooks
The sophomore from Miami continues to quietly make plays & had the first 100-yard multi-touchdown game of his career vs. the Commodores on Saturday night. Brooks finished with 6 catches for 117 yards & 2 TDs. On the 1st scoring drive of the game Bryce threw four straight completions (16, 25, 6 & 21) all to Brooks covering 68 yards staking Alabama to a 7-0 lead they would never relinquish with 8:49 left first quarter. The chemistry seems special between this duo since the end of last season. Be interesting to see if he is the number one target of the Crimson Tide when Texas A&M travels to Tuscaloosa.
Defense:
Photo courtesy of the SEC Media Portal
Co-MVP: Henry To’oTo’o
The senior Mike Linebacker has played at an ALL-AMERICAN level since the mid-point of last season when he got adjusted to his new teammates. The Sacramento, California, native led the team in tackles (Much like he did last year) with 6 (4 solo). To’oTo’o is a team captain who plays the game with passion & excellent instincts. His leadership will be very important in what will be a very hostile environment for Alabama in Fayetteville.
Photo courtesy of the SEC Media Portal
Co-MVP: Will Anderson, Jr.
The reigning first team All-American had his strongest game of the season inside Bryant-Denny Stadium this past Saturday. The 6-4 243-pound Jack Linebacker finished with 5 tackles, 3 solo, 2.5 sacks & 3 TFLs. He was extremely disruptive off the edge and helped control the line of scrimmage limiting the Commodores to 129 total yards (115 passing, 14 rushing).
Photo courtesy of Jaheim Oatis Twitter
Newcomer Gameball: Jaheim Oatis
The massive freshman from Columbia, Mississippi, continues to impress each week with his physical presence along that experienced Alabama defensive line. He has simply been too dominate to leave out of the lineup. While his stat line continues to be pedestrian (2 tackles), the disruptive impact has not. Oatis has helped the Crimson Tide rush defense hold their first four opponents to 62 yards per game. In fact, Vanderbilt averaged .5 yards per carry. The Commodores finished with 26 rushes for 14 yards.
Photo courtesy of SEC Media Portal
Unsung Hero: Deontae Lawson
The Mobile native tied Henry To’oTo’o for the team-high in tackles with 6 (1 solo). Lawson continues to rotate with senior Jaylen Moody at the Will Linebacker spot inside next to To’oTo’o with ZERO drop off. The Mobile Christian alum is on a fast track to being an elite SEC defender already as a redshirt freshman. He & Kendrick Blackshire give the Alabama defense impressive depth inside & provide a glimpse of a bright future for the Crimson Tide linebacker corps.
Special Teams:
Photo Courtesy of the SEC Media Portal
MVP: Will Reichard
The senior kicker from Hoover continues his consistent excellence with a 2-2 evening on Field Goals (40, 21 yards) plus consistent touchbacks/fair catches on kickoff returns ensuring tough field position for Vanderbilt throughout the duration of the contest. Keeping an offense backed up only makes the job of getting stops for the Alabama defense that much easier. The former Buccaneer has become a true weapon for the Crimson Tide.
Photo Courtesy of the SEC Media Portal
Unsung Hero: Malachi Moore
The junior from Trussville finished with 3 total tackles & a pass defensed plus recovered a fumbled punt by fellow safety Brian Branch. This avoided a second Crimson Tide turnover after Kool-Aid McKinstry returned a 2nd quarter punt 40 yards only to fumble it back to Vanderbilt. Moore may have to expand his role in Fayetteville because senior safety Jordan Battle looked to have tweaked a hamstring in the 2nd half Saturday night. He did not return and though he has practiced, Malachi may be needed to play more snaps in the base/nickel defense in Fayetteville. His three years of experience could prove very valuable on the road in the SEC.
Photo courtesy of UGA Wire
#3 James Smith Defensive Tackle
Nick Saban & the Alabama Coaching staff welcomed two VERY important visitors to campus for the Vanderbilt game. Two of the best prospects in the state of Alabama for 2023: Five star teammates James Smith & Qua Russaw of Carver-Montgomery. Both are critical needs for the Crimson Tide. Smith could be the final piece to potentially the best DL class in the 2023 cycle. Many consider him the best player in the state. He has been very impressive at the Alabama camp in the recent past in front of the coaching staff at the Capstone. Disruptive defensive lineman are at a premium and this makes Smith a very valuable prospect.
Photo courtesy of Montgomery Advertiser
#1 Qua Russaw Linebacker
The rising Senior Russaw might be the best edge linebacker in the 2023 class. He has great athleticism and speed. But his skill set also would allow him to play inside which would make him even more valuable to a potential school. He would be a great fit because of his versatility in the Alabama defensive scheme. Nick Saban would like to add a couple of more linebackers to the class.
Qua Russaw is definitely at the top of the linebacker board. The elite duo wants to go to the same school and has a final six of Alabama, Alabama State, Auburn, Florida, Georgia and Ohio State.
Photo courtesy ESPN
Next Up For 2nd-ranked Alabama: The SEC road opener at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium as Sam Pittman’s Arkansas Razorbacks host the Alabama Crimson Tide for a 2:30 pm nationally televised kickoff on CBS Sports.
Prediction: Alabama 31 Arkansas 17
