Since 2014 Alabama starters have earned 12 individual national awards and nine SEC individual awards. Alabama head coach Nick Saban brings back a roster full of All-Americans including the first returning quarterback since 2013 and the first leading rusher since Derrick Henry.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts – For the first time since AJ MacCarron Alabama returns a starting quarterback. Jalen Hurts finished last year as a Freshman All-American and as the SEC Offensive Player of the year. He finished as the second leading rusher for the Crimson Tide with 954 yards, and added 2780 passing yards. He completed 62.8 percent of his passes and threw for 23 touchdowns.
Defensive Back Ronnie Harrison – Ronnie Harrison finished second on the Alabama defense in tackles with 86. He recorded his second double-digit tackling game in the National Championship. He also intercepted two passes, with one going for a touchdown. He also blocked one punt last year.
Wide Receiver Calvin Ridley – Calvin Ridley comes back for his junior season as the main receiver from last year. He finished with a team high 72 catches for 769 yards, which was second on the team. He finished with seven receiving touchdowns, which was second on the team behind ArDarius Stewart. Alabama’s receiving core lost three of its top four receivers from a year ago, which makes Ridley even more of a threat for the upcoming season.
Running back Damien Harris – Damien Harris spent most of the 2016 season as the starting running back, even though he split time with Bo Scarbrough and Joshua Jacobs. Harris finished first on the team with 1037 rushing yards. He finished with a team high 7.1 yards per rush. He was tied for second in receptions by a running back with 14 catches for 99 yards and two touchdowns.
Running Back Bo Scarbrough – Bo Scarbrough finished third on the team in rushing yards with 812. The 6-foot-2 junior figured things out in the second half of the season. In the final three games of the season he finished with 364 yards and six touchdowns. He was named Offensive MVP in the Peach Bowl against Washington.
Defensive Back Anthony Averett – Anthony Averett finished 2016 as one of the main defensive backs in the Alabama defense. He totaled 48 tackles, 39 of which were solo. He added eight pass breakups to lead the team, and forced a pair of fumbles.
