Alabama Football: Who is the Tide's Best?

As we continue to dream of SEC football, we’ll look at each team and tell you who their best player is. Alabama football is up next, and we know it’ll be a running back or linebacker.

Each SEC football team has at least a few studs. Whether it be their middle linebacker, corner, wide receiver or quarterback, each fan base has those few guys they can point to and say “he’s that dude.” The question becomes, though, who is the best?

Alabama football is built on tough, top-notch defense and a strong running game. While the addition of Lane Kiffin has seen Alabama football incorporate more passing and spread strategies, the running back position has remained in top importance — as evidenced by Derrick Henry’s Heisman campaign last year. With all due respect to Bo Scarbrough, though, the best Alabama football player will come from the defensive side of the ball in 2016.

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Note: Sorry Calvin Ridley, no quarterback makes it tough for you to make this list — though you may be one of the best receivers in the entire nation.

Alabama football’s best player will be carrying on a proud tradition of elite linebackers — many of whom are already in the NFL. Reuben Foster, Jr. took a while to deliver on his elite potential, but he’s ready to become the next superstar linebacker for Alabama football.

Reggie Ragland was the guy last year and is now playing on Sundays. Foster is ready to join him now, but will instead spend his time patrolling Alabama football’s defense and upping his draft stock in the process. Last season he made 73 tackles and could be seen all over the field making plays. He’s a bit better in pass coverage than Ragland ever was and can move better sideline to sideline. He’ll be an absolute beast this season and keep the Alabama football tradition of having elite linebackers under Nick Saban alive and well.

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Foster is a veteran leader that is well versed in Alabama football. Don’t think because Kirby Smart left and Jeremy Pruitt is now running the defense that things will change greatly. Nick Saban is still going to have a heavy hand on the defense and Alabama football will be just fine because of it. It’s unfortunate defensive players really don’t have a shot at the Heisman, but Foster will be in the mix for the Butkus Award all season.

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Alabama Football: Who is the Tide’s Best?

By John Richardson | Aug 2, 2016

As we continue to dream of SEC football, we’ll look at each team and tell you who their best player is. Alabama football is up next, and we know it’ll be a running back or linebacker.