CB Levi Wallace
There are few storylines this year in Alabama football more inspiring than Levi Wallace’s ascension from a walk-on with zero scholarship offers to starting left cornerback. The senior hasn’t just started games, though; he has excelled. He has been named defensive player of the week three times in five games by the Alabama coaching staff, the only player on the team to receive such honors. Of his SEC-leading three interceptions, two came last week against Ole Miss, the first of which was returned 35 yards for a touchdown. His career game against the Rebels earned him SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors. Even when he’s not intercepting the ball, he’s still making plays, as his six pass breakups rank second in the SEC.
DL Da’Ron Payne
With defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand “very doubtful” to play due to what is likely an MCL sprain, Payne’s already very important role along the defensive line will become even more crucial. Payne set a career high last week with seven tackles against Ole Miss, and is currently tied for the team lead in tackles with 23, most of which have come against the run. The strength of Texas A&M’s offense is its running game, as its top two running backs, Trayveon Williams and Keith Ford, have more combined rushing yards than any other running back duo in the conference. Payne was named to the preseason watch lists for the Outland Trophy (country’s best interior lineman), Nagurski Trophy (best defensive player), and Bednarik Award (also best defensive player).
LB Shaun Dion Hamilton
Like Payne, Hamilton has also recorded 23 tackles to share the team lead. He has the most tackles for loss on the team, with four, 3.5 of which came in the season opener against Florida State, a performance that led to his being named SEC Defensive Player of the Week. A few tackles behind the line of scrimmage on Saturday evening will go a long way toward containing an Aggie running game that ranks third in the SEC in rush yards per attempt and second in rush yards per game. He also brings an ability to generate pressure on the quarterback, as he has two quarterback hits this year while blitzing from his inside linebacker spot.
OT Jonah Williams
The Crimson Tide’s cornerstone left tackle will face a tough task as he aims to neutralize a Texas A&M defense that ranks second in the FBS with 20 sacks. The pressure can come from all directions too, as Texas A&M has four defenders with three or more sacks. Saban praised the job defensive coordinator John Chavis has done over his three years in College Station, calling the Aggies’ defense physical and aggressive in a Monday press conference, adding they are “tough to run against” and “they create a lot of negative plays.” The Alabama passing game could capitalize on the Aggies’ weakness – their 119th-ranked pass defense – if Williams and the rest of the offensive line can keep the pressure away from Jalen Hurts, but if not, two Texas A&M defensive backs already have multiple interceptions and would love to add to their totals.
Texas A&M
WR Christian Kirk
Circle his name in red pen and watch every move he makes because Kirk is the kind of guy that keeps defensive coordinators up at night. The junior wide receiver is the definition of a playmaker, and has the ability to take it to the house every time he gets his hands on the ball. Kirk leads the Aggies with 118 all-purpose yards a game and does it in style. The first team All-American has already made 11 plays over 20 yards this season, one of which was a 100 yard kick return against Arkansas. He does it from his wide out position, as a runner and on special teams. In two career games against the Crimson Tide, Kirk has 18 catches for 148 yards and took a 68-yard punt return to pay dirt in 2015.
RB Trayveon Williams
If Kirk did not already give defensive coordinators enough headaches, Williams sure will. The true sophomore has been a threat on this offense ever since he made it to College Station. Williams has rushed for over 1400 yards in 17 career games, and leads this Aggie rushing attack that ranks second in the SEC in 2017. Even though he has split time in the backfield with Keith Ford, Williams is the sixth leading rusher in the SEC with 384 yards and has reached the end zone in every game he has played this season. With a 200-yard game already under his belt this year, expect Williams to be a player who warrants a lot of attention from the Alabama defense on Saturday.
QB Kellen Mond
After a less-than-ideal start to his career, Mond has picked up his play as the Texas A&M starting quarterback and is a big reason why the Aggies sit at 4-1. The dual-threat signal caller has averaged just under 250 yards of offense in four games as the starter, and in SEC play has averaged 187.5 yards through the air and 102 yards on the ground. Even though he ranks near the bottom of the SEC in completion percentage, Mond takes care of the ball. He has thrown just two picks in 126 pass attempts. There are numerous playmakers lurking on this Aggie offense, and Mond has emerged as another. Mond currently has the longest run (79 yards) and second-longest pass (81 yards) in the SEC.
DB Armani Watts
The Aggies have freak athletes all over the field on offense, but one of the biggest resides on defense. Watts in the only active player in FBS who has 275 tackles, nine interceptions and five forced fumbles in his career, and is also the only player this year with five tackles for loss, three interceptions, a forced fumble and fumble recovery. Watts is a big reason why this Aggie defense is ranked 15th in the country in rushing yards allowed per game. He can sit back in his safety position and play against the pass, or step up to stop the run. As a sophomore, Watts racked up 126 tackles, and if not for a leg injury last year, he may have even more stats to prove he’s a player the Alabama offense needs to keep the ball away from Saturday afternoon.
