The 2016 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season. This season marked the Crimson Tide's 122nd overall season, 83rd as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and its 25th within the SEC Western Division. They played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and were led by tenth year head coach Nick Saban. They finished the season 14–1, were SEC champions and advanced to the College Football Playoff National Championship game, for the second consecutive year, where they were defeated by Clemson.
Offseason Departures Notable departures from the 2015 squad included
Name Number Pos. Height Weight Year Hometown Notes Derrick Henry #2 RB 6'3 245 Junior Yulee, FL Declared for the 2016 NFL draft A'Shawn Robinson #86 DE 6'4 312 Junior Fort Worth, TX Declared for the 2016 NFL draft Jake Coker #14 QB 6'5 232 Senior Mobile, AL Undrafted free agent Denzel Devall #30 LB 6'2 252 Senior Bastrop, LA Undrafted free agent Kenyan Drake #17 RB 6'1 210 Senior Powder Springs, GA Declared for the 2016 NFL draft Dominick Jackson #76 OL 6'6 315 Senior Cupertino, CA Undrafted free agent Cyrus Jones #5 CB 5'10 196 Senior Baltimore, MD Declared for the 2016 NFL draft Ryan Kelly #70 OL 6'5 297 Senior West Chester, OH Declared for the 2016 NFL draft Dillon Lee #25 LB 6'4 242 Senior Buford, GA Undrafted free agent Richard Mullaney #16 WR 6'3 208 Senior Thousand Oaks, CA Undrafted free agent Michael Nysewander #46 TE 6'1 237 Senior Hoover, AL Undrafted free agent D.J. Pettway #57 LB 6'2 270 Senior Pensacola, FL Undrafted free agent Reggie Ragland #19 LB 6'2 252 Senior Madison, AL Declared for the 2016 NFL draft Jarran Reed #90 DL 6'4 313 Senior Goldsboro, NC Declared for the 2016 NFL draft Geno Matias-Smith #24 S 6'0 196 Senior Atlanta, GA Undrafted free agent Alec Morris #11 QB 6'3 233 Junior Allen, TX Transferred to North Texas
Preseason 2016 recruiting class
Prior to National Signing Day on February 3, 2016, eight players enrolled for the spring semester in order to participate in spring practice and included six former high school seniors and two junior college transfers. On National Signing Day, Alabama signed 18 additional players out of high school that completed the 2016 recruiting class. The class was highlighted by 19 players from the "ESPN 300". Alabama signed the No. 1 recruiting class according to Rivals.com, Scout.com and 247Sports.com and No. 2 at ESPN recruiting class.
Returning starters Alabama had seven returning players on offense, five on defense and five on special teams that started games in 2015.
Offense
Player Class Position Ross Pierschbacher Sophomore Offensive Line Cam Robinson Junior Offensive Line Alphonse Taylor Senior Offensive Line O. J. Howard Senior Tight End Robert Foster Junior Wide Receiver Calvin Ridley Sophomore Wide Receiver ArDarius Stewart Junior Wide ReceiverReference:
Defense Player Class Position Minkah Fitzpatrick Sophomore Cornerback Marlon Humphrey Sophomore Cornerback Jonathan Allen Senior Defensive End Ryan Anderson Senior Linebacker Reuben Foster Senior Linebacker Tim Williams Senior Linebacker Eddie Jackson Senior SafetyReference:
Special teams Player Class Position Adam Griffith Senior Kicker J. K. Scott Junior Punter Cole Mazza Senior Long SnapperReference:
Spring practice Spring practice began March 11, 2016. The annual A-Day game was held on April 16, 2016.
Schedule Alabama faced all six Western Division opponents: Arkansas, Auburn, LSU, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M. They also faced two Eastern Division opponents: official SEC rival Tennessee, and Kentucky.
The team played four non-conference games, three home games against the Western Kentucky of C-USA, Kent State of the MAC, Chattanooga of the FCS' Southern, and traveled to Arlington, TX to play USC of the Pac-12 for the Advocare Classic at AT&T Stadium, a non—conference game at a neutral site.
Game summaries USC
This game was the eighth meeting between the Trojans and Crimson Tide, and the first meeting between the two schools since the 1985 Aloha Bowl, which Alabama won 24–3. Alabama is now 6–2 in the series.
Western Kentucky
Ole Miss
The Crimson Tide began conference play against Ole Miss, who entered the game on a two-game winning streak against Alabama, their longest winning streak in the series.
Kent State
This was only the second meeting between these two schools, the first coming in 2012. Alabama coach Nick Saban is a graduate of Kent State.
Kentucky
Arkansas
Tennessee
Texas A&M
LSU
Mississippi State
Chattanooga
Auburn
Florida—SEC Championship
Washington—CFP Semifinal
Clemson—CFP National Championship
Rankings
Personnel Coaching staff Nick Saban Head coach 10th Burton Burns Associate head coach, running backs coach 10th Lane Kiffin Offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach 3rd Karl Dunbar Defensive line coach 1st Jeremy Pruitt Defensive coordinator, inside linebackers 1st Mario Cristobal Offensive tackles and tight ends, recruiting coordinator 4th Billy Napier Wide receivers 4th Tosh Lupoi Outside linebackers 2nd Derrick Ansley Defensive backs 1st Brent Key Interior offensive line and special teams 1st Scott Cochran Strength and conditioning 10thReference:2016 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Media Guide, p. 2
Graduate assistants Brian Niedermeyer Doug Belk Rob Ezell Analysts William Vlachos Mike Locksley Shea Tierney Steve Sarkisian Charlie Weis Jr. Garrett Cox Freddie Roach Brendan Farrell
Roster 2016 Alabama Crimson Tide FootballQuarterback 2 Jalen Hurts – freshman (6'2, 210) 11 Josh Palet – senior (6'5, 215) 12 David Cornwell – sophomore (6'5, 234) 18 Cooper Bateman – junior (6'3, 224) 19 Montana Murphy – freshman (6'3, 201)
Running back 5 Ronnie Clark – sophomore (6'2, 217) (+DB) 21 B. J. Emmons – freshman (6'0, 220) 9 Bo Scarbrough – sophomore (6'2, 230) 25 Joshua Jacobs – freshman (5'10, 200) 31 Xavian Marks – sophomore (5'8, 163) 33 Derrick Gore – junior (5'11, 212) 34 Damien Harris – sophomore (5'11, 214) 43 Lawrence Erekosima – junior (5'7, 180) 44 Avery Reid – sophomore (6'0, 192)
Wide receiver 1 Robert Foster – junior (6'2, 191) 3 Calvin Ridley – sophomore (6'1, 188) 7 Trevon Diggs – freshman (6'2, 185) 13 ArDarius Stewart – junior (6'1, 204) 11 Gehrig Dieter – senior (6'3, 207) 16 T.J. Simmons – freshman (6'2, 196) 17 Cam Sims – junior (6'5, 206) 31 Donne Lee Jr. – junior (6'0, 180) 35 Thomas Woods – junior (5'6, 165) 36 Torin Marks – freshman (5'11, 175) 37 Jonathan Rice – sophomore (6'4, 207) 38 Austin Johnson – sophomore (6'2, 200) 39 Tre' Dunn – junior (6'0, 170) 41 Parker Bearden – sophomore (6'1, 201) 47 Josh Pugh – sophomore (6'1, 208) 80 Raheem Falkins – senior (6'4, 202) 81 Derek Kief – sophomore (6'4, 200) 89 Armani Purifoye – junior (6'0, 190)
Placekicker 92 Andy Pappanastos – junior (5'11, 198) 96 Gunnar Raborn – junior (5'9, 180) 99 Adam Griffith – senior (5'10, 193)
Punter 15 J. K. Scott – junior (6'5, 198) 98 Brannon Satterfield – sophomore (6'2, 210) Tight end 42 Jacob Parker – junior (6'1, 224) 44 Dakota Ball – senior (6'3, 268) (+DL) 45 Hunter Bryant – junior (6'5, 226) 49 Brandon Moore – senior (6'0, 248) 82 Irv Smith Jr. – freshman (6'4, 235) 83 Cam Stewart – freshman (6'8, 254) 84 Hale Hentges – sophomore (6'5, 256) 86 Truett Harris – senior (6'3, 235) 87 Miller Forristall– freshman (6'5, 220) 88 O. J. Howard – senior (6'6, 242) 89 Brandon Greene – senior (6'5, 307)
Offensive lineman 50 Alphonse Taylor – senior (6'5, 345) 56 Brandon Kennedy – freshman (6'3, 302) 59 Dallas Warmack – sophomore (6'2, 299) 60 Malik Martin – sophomore (6'3, 370) 61 Jacob Probasco – freshman (6'3, 317) 62 Will Davis – senior (6'5, 325) 63 J. C. Hassenauer – junior (6'2, 297) 65 Deonte Brown – freshman (6'4, 350) 66 Lester Cotton – sophomore (6'4, 319) 67 Josh Casher – sophomore (6'1, 284) 71 Ross Pierschbacher – sophomore (6'4, 304) 72 Richie Petitbon – freshman (6'4, 300) 73 Jonah Williams – freshman (6'5, 280) 74 Cam Robinson – junior (6'6, 327) 75 Bradley Bozeman – junior (6'5, 312) 76 Scott Lashley – freshman (6'7, 325) 77 Matt Womack – freshman (6'7, 320) 78 Korren Kirven – senior (6'4, 308) (+DL) 79 Chris Owens – freshman (6'3, 307)
Defensive lineman 9 Da'Shawn Hand – junior (6'4, 278) 36 Johnny Dwight – sophomore (6'3, 306) (+TE) 51 Jake Long – senior (5'9, 228) 54 Dalvin Tomlinson – senior (6'3, 307) 58 Daniel Powell – freshman (5'11, 238) 69 Joshua Frazier – junior (6'4, 315) 90 Jamar King – junior (6'4, 290) 91 O.J. Smith – sophomore (6'2, 315) 92 Quinnen Williams – freshman (6'4, 265) 93 Jonathan Allen – senior (6'3, 294) 94 Daron Payne – sophomore (6'2, 319) 99 Raekwon Davis – freshman (6'7, 325) Linebacker 1 Ben Davis – freshman (6'4, 240) 3 Mack Wilson – freshman (6'2, 240) 10 Reuben Foster – senior (6'1, 240) 16 Jamey Mosley – sophomore (6'5, 226) 19 Shawn Jennings – freshman (6'1, 228) 20 Shaun Dion Hamilton – junior (6'0, 232) 22 Ryan Anderson – senior (6'2, 253) 24 Terrell Hall – freshman (6'5, 245) 31 Keaton Anderson – freshman (6'1, 215) 32 Rashaan Evans – junior (6'3, 230) 33 Anfernee Jennings – freshman (6'3, 268) 40 Joshua McMillon – freshman (6'3, 245) 42 Keith Holcombe – sophomore (6'4, 227) 46 Derrick Garnett – junior (6'1, 240) 47 Christian Miller – sophomore (6'4, 230) 48 Mekhi Brown – freshman (6'5, 243) 56 Tim Williams – senior (6'4, 237)
Defensive back 2 Tony Brown – junior (6'0, 194) 4 Eddie Jackson – senior (6'0, 194) 5 Shyheim Carter – freshman (6'0, 190) 6 Hootie Jones – junior (6'2, 214) 8 Jared Mayden – freshman (6'0, 198) 13 Nigel Knott – freshman (5'11, 190) 14 Deionte Thompson – freshman (6'2, 190) (+WR) 15 Ronnie Harrison – sophomore (6'3, 216) 21 Rogria Lewis – junior (5'11, 196) 23 Aaron Robinson – freshman (6'1, 185) 26 Marlon Humphrey – sophomore (6'1, 198) 28 Anthony Averett – junior (6'0, 180) 29 Minkah Fitzpatrick – sophomore (6'1, 200) 34 Nate Staskelunas – senior (6'3, 207) 37 Donavan Mosley – sophomore (5'10, 185) 41 Blaine Anderson – senior (5'10, 187) 44 Levi Wallace – junior (6'0, 170) 47 Bo Grant – senior (6'2, 195)
Longsnappers 53 Ryan Parris – sophomore (6'0, 209) 55 Cole Mazza – senior (6'2, 235)
Depth chart
Statistics Team Team Statistics Alabama Opponents Points First Downs Rushing Passing Penalty Rushing Yards Rushing Attempts Average Per Rush Long Rushing TDs Passing Yards Comp–Att Comp % Average Per Game Average per Attempt Passing TDs INT's Rating Touchdowns Passing Rushing Defensive Interceptions Yards Long Total Offense Total Plays Average Per Yards/Game Kick Returns: # – Yards TDs Long Punts Yards Average Punt Returns: # – Yards TDs Long Fumbles – Fumbles Lost Opposing TD's Penalties – Yards 3rd–Down Conversions 4th–Down Conversions Takeaways Field Goals Extra Point Sacks Sack Against Yards
Offense Passing Statistics # NAME POS RAT CMP ATT YDS CMP% TD INT
Rushing Statistics # NAME POS CAR YDS LONG TD TOTALS
Receiving Statistics # NAME POS REC YDS LONG TD TOTALS
Defense |- Key: POS: Position, SOLO: Solo Tackles, AST: Assisted Tackles, TOT: Total Tackles, TFL: Tackles-for-loss, SACK: Quarterback Sacks, INT: Interceptions, BU: Passes Broken Up, PD: Passes Defended, QBH: Quarterback Hits, FF: Forced Fumbles, FR: Fumbles Recovered, BLK: Kicks or Punts Blocked, SAF: Safeties Defensive Statistics # NAME POS SOLO AST TOT TFL-YDS SACKS INT-YDS BU PD QBH FR–YDS FF BLK SAF TOTAL 0 0 0 0 – 0 0 – 0 0 – 0 0 0 0 0 – 0 0 – – OPPONENTS 0 0 0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0 0 0 0–0 0 0 –
Interceptions Statistics # NAME POS RTNS YDS AVG TD LNG TOTALS
Special teams
Kicking statistics # NAME POS XPM XPA XP% FGM FGA FG% 1–19 20–29 30–39 40–49 50+ LNG PTS TOTALS
Kick return statistics # NAME POS RTNS YDS AVG TD LNG TOTALS
Punting statistics # NAME POS PUNTS YDS AVG LONG TB FC I–20 50+ BLK TOTALS
Punt return statistics # NAME POS RTNS YDS AVG TD LONG TOTALS
Scores by quarter (all opponents)
Scores by quarter (SEC opponents)