Alabama Leads With 13 Preseason All-SEC Picks, 7 First-Team

We already knew that the reporters at SEC Media Days overwhelmingly picked Alabama as the favorite to win the SEC. Unsurprisingly, Alabama also led the way in the vote for preseason All-SEC players. The complete list is here:

Alabama leads with seven first-team All-SEC picks, 13 selections - SEC Blog- ESPN

With 318 out of a possible 331 votes, Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley was the third-leading vote-getter – trailing only LSU running back Leonard Fournette (329) and Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly (321) – to lead the Crimson Tide’s 13 overall selections to the first, second or third teams. Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (301) and Texas A&M defensive lineman Myles Garrett (286) were the top vote-getters on defense.

Hard to complain as an Alabama fan, but it is curious that Tim Williams made only the second team despite some hype as perhaps the best pass-rushing LB in the country. Interestingly, Alphonse Taylor made the second team as well despite his public benching in the spring. It seems to be universally assumed that Shank will win his job back and act as something of a leader this season.

Altogether, the Tide selections were pretty balanced: five offensive players and six defensive players were named. Both Alabama kicking specialists were named as well, J.K. Scott on the first team and Adam Griffith on the second.