Alabama Freshmen named to FWAA Freshman All-American Team
The Football Writer's Association of America released their annual Freshman All-American team, featuring two standout Tide freshmen. Will Anderson and Malachi Moore were both named to the Freshman All-American team while Anderson was also named the Shawn Alexander National Freshman of the Year.
Anderson, who was a cornerstone of the Tide's defense this season, was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team as well as receiving second team All-SEC honors. The former five-star recruit started every game this season for Alabama and recorded 52 tackles and a forced fumble. Anderson also led the Tide defense with eight quarterback pressures this year and was tied for second in the SEC in sacks with seven. Alabama's defense saw a lot of impact from freshmen this year between Anderson and fellow FWAA Freshman All-American Malachi Moore.
Malachi Moore, a former four-star athlete out of Trussville, AL was an instant impact type player as soon as he stepped on the field for the Crimson Tide. Moore provided lockdown coverage from the safety position, finishing the year with six pass breakups and three interceptions, ranking third among SEC freshmen. While he shone in coverage, the star freshman also racked up 44 tackles, including four for loss. Moore showed flashes of looking like former Alabama standout, Minkah Fitzpatrick, which Tide fans will remember well as one of the best defenders to ever come through Tuscaloosa.
While the narrative surrounding Alabama has always been that freshmen would not get to play, this year's team has taken that and flipped it. Two of the biggest contributors to the defense this year were true freshmen, and when Malachi Moore was unable to play in the championship, another freshman, Brian Branch, stepped up to take his spot. On the offensive side of the ball, players like Jahvon Baker and Traeshon Holden are prime examples of freshmen getting involved with the game plan for Alabama. The upcoming group of starters in Tuscaloosa will have a ton of real game experience and should be able to pick up the pace right where this year's team left off.
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