The 2021 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "Bama", or "The Tide") represented the University of Alabama in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. This season marked the Crimson Tide's 127th overall season, 88th as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and 30th within the SEC Western Division. They played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and were led by 15th-year head coach Nick Saban.
Alabama entered the 2021 season as the defending consensus national champions and SEC champions and appeared in the 2022 College Football National Championship to defend their title against Georgia in a rematch from 2021 SEC Championship Game and 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship, after beating an undefeated Cincinnati in the College Football Playoff Semifinal. Alabama was defeated by Georgia in the National Championship game 33–18.
Offseason
NFL draft
The following Crimson Tide players were selected in the 2021 NFL Draft. Alabama had six players drafted in the first round, tying Miami (FL) in 2004 for most all time.
Jaylen Waddle WR Miami Dolphins 1 6 Patrick Surtain II CB Denver Broncos 1 9 DeVonta Smith WR Philadelphia Eagles 1 10 Mac Jones QB New England Patriots 1 15 Alex Leatherwood OT Las Vegas Raiders 1 17 Najee Harris RB Pittsburgh Steelers 1 24 Landon Dickerson C Philadelphia Eagles 2 37 Christian Barmore DT New England Patriots 2 38 Deonte Brown OG Carolina Panthers 6 193 Thomas Fletcher LS Carolina Panthers 6 222
Position key BackBCenterCCornerbackCBDefensive backDBDefensive endDEDefensive linemanDLDefensive tackleDTEndEFullbackFBPlace KickerPKGuardGHalfbackHBKickerKKickoff returnerKROffensive tackleOTOffensive linemanOLLinebackerLBLong snapperLSSplit endSEPunterPPunt returnerPRQuarterbackQBRunning backRBSafetySTight endTEWide receiverWR
Coaching changes Steve Sarkisian, former offensive coordinator of the Crimson Tide, accepted a position as head football coach of Texas. He was replaced by Bill O'Brien. Charles Huff, former Associate head coach/Running backs coach accepted the head coaching position at Marshall and was replaced by Todd Watson as associate head coach and Robert Gillespie as Running backs coach. Former Special teams coordinator/Tight end coach Jeff Banks left to accept a position as the Assistant Coach/Special teams coordinator/Tight end coach for Texas and was replaced by Jay Graham. Former Cornerbacks coach Karl Scott left and went to fill a position as a Defensive backs coach for the Minnesota Vikings and has been replaced by Jay Valai. Former Offensive line coach Kyle Flood left to be the Offensive coordinator/offensive line coach for Texas and was replaced by Doug Marrone. On March 24, 2021, Jay Graham left the program after only two months of being with the Tide and was replaced by Drew Svoboda.
Players 2021 Alabama offseason departures Name Number Pos. Height Weight Year Hometown Notes Christian Barmore 58 DL 6’5 310 RS Sophomore Philadelphia, PA Declared for NFL Draft Mac Jones 10 QB 6’3 210 RS Junior Jacksonville, FL Declared for NFL Draft Patrick Surtain II 2 DB 6’2 202 Junior Plantation, FL Declared for NFL Draft Jaylen Waddle 17 WR 5’10 182 Junior Houston, TX Declared for NFL Draft Dylan Moses 32 LB 6'3 235 Senior Alexandria, LA Graduated/Declared for NFL Draft Carl Tucker 86 TE 6'2 248 Graduate Student Concord, NC Graduated/Declared for NFL Draft Joshua McMillon 40 LB 6'3 237 Graduate Student Memphis, TN Graduated/Declared for NFL Draft Landon Dickerson 69 OL 6'3 325 Graduate Student Hickory, NC Graduated/Declared for NFL Draft DeVonta Smith 6 WR 6'1 175 Senior Amite, LA Graduated Logan Burnett 12 QB 6'2 200 Senior Pelham, AL Graduated Najee Harris 22 RB 6'3 230 Senior Antioch, CA Graduated Christian Swann 43 DB 5'9 179 Senior Mableton, GA Graduated Thomas Fletcher 45 LS 6'2 220 Senior Georgetown, TX Graduated Joe McDonald 57 LB 6'3 216 RS Senior Mountain Brook, AL Graduated Deonte Brown 65 OL 6’4 350 RS Senior Decatur, AL Graduated Alex Leatherwood 70 OL 6'6 310 Senior Pensacola, FL Graduated Drew Kobayashi 85 WR 6'2 200 RS Senior Honolulu, HI Graduated Charlie Scott 85 P 6'1 195 Senior Greenwood Village, CO Graduated Miller Forristall 87 TE 6'5 242 Senior Cartersville, GA Graduated
Transfers
Outgoing
The Crimson Tide lost ten players via transfer from the 2020 season.
Name No. Pos. Height Weight Hometown Year New school Ishmael Sopsher #95 DT 6’4 334 Amite, LA Sophomore USC Kevin Harris #44 LB 6’4 228 Loganville, GA Sophomore Georgia Tech Eddie Smith #15 DB 6’0 196 Slidell, LA Sophomore Illinois Joseph Bulovas #97 PK 6’0 203 Mandeville, LA Junior Vanderbilt Ben Davis #1 LB 6’4 243 Gordo, AL Senior Texas Ale Kaho #10 LB 6’1 235 Reno, NV Junior UCLA Ronald Williams Jr. #22 DB 6’2 190 Ferriday, LA Senior Michigan State Brandon Turnage #7 DB 6’1 186 Oxford, MS Sophomore Tennessee Joshua Lanier #84 WR 5'11 160 Tuscaloosa, AL Senior Jackson State Keilan Robinson #2 RB 5’9 190 Washington, DC Junior Texas
Incoming Name No. Pos. Height Weight Year Hometown Prev. school Jameson Williams #1 WR 6'2" 189 Sophomore St. Louis, MO Ohio State Henry To'oTo'o 11 LB 6'2" 225 Sophomore Sacramento, CA Tennessee Jack Martin 43 K/P 6'2" 222 Sophomore Dothan, AL Troy
Recruiting class
The Crimson Tide signed a total of 26 scholarship recruits and 1 walk-ons during national signing period.
Overall class rankings ESPN #1 #1 3 14 2 Rivals #1 #1 4 16 4 247 Sports #1 #1 8 14 3
Recruits
Returning starters
Offense
Player Class Position Emil Ekiyor Jr. Junior Offensive Line Evan Neal Junior Offensive Line Chris Owens Grad Student Offensive Line John Metchie III Junior Wide Receiver Jahleel Billingsley Junior Tight EndReference:
Defense Player Class Position LaBryan Ray RS Senior Defensive Line D. J. Dale Junior Defensive Line Justin Eboigbe Junior Defensive Line Phidarian Mathis RS Senior Defensive Line Christian Harris Junior Linebacker Christopher Allen RS Senior Linebacker Will Anderson Jr. Sophomore Linebacker Malachi Moore Sophomore Defensive Back Daniel Wright RS Senior Defensive Back Jordan Battle Junior Defensive Back Josh Jobe Senior Defensive Back Reference:
Special teams
Player Class Position Will Reichard Junior KickerReference:
Preseason
Award watch lists Listed in the order that they were released
Lott Trophy Josh JobeDBSr.Dodd TrophyNick SabanHC --Maxwell Award Brian Robinson Jr.RBGSJohn Metchie IIIWRSr.Bednarik AwardWill Anderson Jr.LBSo.Josh JobeDBSr.Doak Walker Award Brian Robinson Jr.RBGS.Biletnikoff AwardJohn Metchie IIIWRJr. Jameson WilliamsWR.Jr.John Mackey AwardJahleel BillingsleyTEJr.Jim Thorpe Award Jordan BattleDBJr.Josh JobeDBSr.Butkus AwardWill AndersonLBSo.Christian HarrisLBJr.Christopher AllenLBRS Sr.Outland TrophyEvan NealOLJr.Phidarian MathisDLRS Sr.Bronko Nagurski TrophyJosh JobeDBSr.D. J. DaleDLJr.Phidarian MathisDLRS Sr.Will AndersonLBSo.Christian HarrisLBJr.Malachi MooreDBSo.Lou Groza AwardWill ReichardKJr.Wuerffel TrophyChris Owens OLGSWalter Camp AwardJohn Metchie IIIWRSr.Will AndersonLBSo.Rotary Lombardi AwardWill AndersonLBSo.Henry To'oTo'oLBJr.Christian HarrisLBJr.Phidarian MathisDLRS Sr.Evan NealOLJr.Emil Ekiyor Jr.OLJr.Polynesian College Football Player Of The Year AwardCameron LatuTERS Jr.Henry To'oTo'oLBJr.Ted Hendricks AwardPhidarian MathisDLRS Sr.Manning AwardBryce Young QBSo.
SEC media days The 2021 SEC Media days will be held in July 19–22, 2021 at the Hyatt Regency Birmingham – The Wynfrey Hotel in Hoover, Alabama. The Preseason Polls will be released on July 23, 2021. Each team had their head coach available to talk to the media at the event. Coverage of the event was televised on SEC Network and ESPN.
Media poll (West Division) 1 Alabama 932 (130) 2 Texas A&M 760 (1) 3 LSU 633 (1) 4 Ole Miss 529 (1) 5 Auburn 440 6 Arkansas 241 (1) 7 Mississippi State 217
Media poll (SEC Championship) 1 Alabama 84 2 Georgia 45 3 Ole Miss 1
Preseason All-SEC teams (media) The Crimson Tide placed 16 representatives on the Preseason All-SEC Team, including eight on the first team - six on defense.
Offense
1st team
John Metchie III – WR
Evan Neal – OL
2nd team
Jahleel Billingsley - TE
Emil Ekiyor Jr. - OL
3rd team
Brian Robinson Jr. - RB
Defense
1st team
Phidarian Mathis - DL
Henry To'oTo'o – LB
Christian Harris - LB
Josh Jobe - DB
Malachi Moore - DB
2nd team
LaBryan Ray - DL
Jordan Battle - DB
3rd team
D. J. Dale - DL
Christopher Allen - LB
Specialists
2nd team
Will Reichard – K
References:
Preseason AP All-Americans
Offense
1st team
Evan Neal – OL
2nd team
John Metchie III – WR
Emil Ekiyor Jr. - OL
Defense
1st team
Will Anderson Jr. – LB
2nd team
Christian Harris - LB
References:
Preseason All-SEC teams (coaches) The Crimson Tide placed 15 representatives on the Preseason All-SEC Team, including eight on the first team - six on defense.
Offense
1st team
John Metchie III – WR
Evan Neal – OL
2nd team
Jahleel Billingsley - TE
Emil Ekiyor Jr. - OL
3rd team
Brian Robinson Jr. - RB
Defense
1st team
Phidarian Mathis - DL
Will Anderson Jr. – LB
Christian Harris - LB
Josh Jobe - DB
Malachi Moore - DB
2nd team
Henry To'oTo'o - LB
Jordan Battle - DB
3rd team
LaBryan Ray - DL
Christopher Allen - LB
Specialists
3rd team
Will Reichard – K
References:
Personnel
Coaching staff Nick Saban Head Coach & Secondary 15th Bill O'Brien Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach 1st Pete Golding Defensive coordinator/Inside linebackers coach 3rd Charles Kelly Associate Defensive coordinator/Safeties coach 3rd Drew Svoboda Special teams coordinator/Tight end coach 1st Robert Gillespie Running backs coach 1st Jay Valai Cornerbacks coach 1st Doug Marrone Offensive line coach 1st Holmon Wiggins Wide receivers coach3rd Sal Sunseri Outside linebackers coach 3rd Freddie Roach Defensive line coach 2nd David Ballou Strength and conditioning 2ndReference:2021 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Media Guide, p. 2
Graduate assistants Max Bullough Montana Murphy Jamey Mosley Manrey Saint-Amour Analysts Dean Altobelli George Banko Bert Biffani Johnathan Galante Jake Long Alex Mortensen Will Lawing Ron Cooper Mark Oprhey Dave Huxtable Nick Cochran
Roster 2021 Alabama Crimson Tide FootballQuarterback 2 – Jalen Milroe – freshman (6'2, 201) 7 – Braxton Barker – junior (6'1, 202) 9 – Bryce Young – sophomore (6'0, 190) 17 – Paul Tyson – sophomore (6'4, 220) 19 – Stone Hollenbach – sophomore (6'3, 208)
Running back 4 – Brian Robinson Jr. – graduate student (6'1, 226) 6 – Trey Sanders – sophomore (6'0, 214) 21 – Jase McClellan – sophomore (5'11, 200) 23 – Roydell Williams – sophomore (5'10, 207) 25 - Camar Wheaton – freshman (5'11, 195) 26 – Jonathan Bennett – sophomore (5'8, 178) 35 – Austin Owens – freshman (6'1, 175)
Wide receiver 1 - Jameson Williams – junior (6'2, 189) 3 – Xavier Williams – junior (6'1, 195) 5 – Javon Baker – sophomore (6'1, 183) 7 – Ja'Corey Brooks – freshman (6'2, 190) 8 – John Metchie III – junior (6'0, 195) 10 – JoJo Earle – freshman (5'9, 170) 11 – Traeshon Holden – sophomore (6'3, 196) 12 – Christian Leary – freshman (5'10, 185) 14 – Thaiu Jones-Bell – sophomore (6'0, 190) 18 – Slade Bolden – junior (5'11, 191) 22 - Chris Herren Jr. – freshman (6'3, 175) 30 - DJ Rias – freshman (5'9, 186) 31 – Shatarius Williams – sophomore (6'3, 187) 36 – Bret Bolin – senior (6'0, 176) 37 – Sam Willoughby – sophomore (5'10, 165) 84 – Agiye Hall – freshman (6'3, 195) 84 – Jacoby Boykins – freshman (5'11, 182) 89 – Grant Krieger – junior (6'2, 192)
Placekicker 16 – Will Reichard – junior (6'1, 180) 82 – Chase Allen – sophomore (6'2, 188) 97 – Reid Schuback – sophomore (6'0, 185)
Punter 86 – James Burnip – freshman (6'6, 216) 95 – Jack Martin – junior (6'2, 222) 98 – Sam Johnson – sophomore (6'3, 215) 99 – Ty Perine – junior (6'1, 190) (PK) Tight end 19 – Jahleel Billingsley – junior (6'4, 228) 43 – Robert Ellis – sophomore (6'0, 220)