ATLANTA — Alabama football coach Nick Saban expects quarterbacks Cooper Bateman and David Cornwell to remain with the team through the playoffs.
Both quarterbacks are expected to transfer in search of playing time after this season. Saban said Thursday that Bateman and Cornwell “have every intention of finishing this season.”
Bateman has graduated, so he would be able to play as a graduate transfer. Cornwell is a redshirt sophomore.
Bateman is 12 of 14 for 119 yards and a touchdown. Cornwell hasn’t attempted a pass.
n Football team places five on Walter Camp All-America team: Alabama placed five players on the Walter Camp All-America Team, the Walter Camp Foundation announced Thursday evening.
The Crimson Tide had three first-team honorees and two second-team selections. Jonathan Allen, Reuben Foster, and Cam Robinson were first-team selections, while defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick and punter JK Scott received second-team honors.
Allen, the 2016 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, has been a force in the middle of a defensive front that leads the country in rush defense (63.4 yards per game). He has a career-high 56 tackles, including 13 tackles for loss and eight-and-a-half sacks. In addition, Allen has 15 quarterback hurries, a blocked field goal attempt, and two fumble recoveries, both of which were returned for touchdowns.
Foster has captained a defense that ranks first nationally in both total defense (247.8 ypg.) and scoring defense (11.8 points per game). He leads the Crimson Tide in tackles with 94, including 12 tackles for loss and four sacks. He also has recorded eight quarterback hurries and two pass breakups.
Robinson, the SEC Jacobs Blocking Trophy winner, leads an offensive line that has provided protection for a balanced attack that leads the SEC in scoring at 40.5 points per game and is second in total offense (471.3 yards per game), rushing offense (245.0 yards per game) and yards per rushing attempt (5.7). He earned first-team All-SEC honors Monday and is the second Alabama player to win the Jacobs in as many years. Center Ryan Kelly won the award in 2015.
Fitzpatrick is enjoying his best season with the Crimson Tide, recording a career-high 56 tackles, including five tackles for loss and one sack. The sophomore leads the SEC with five interceptions and 158 return yards, including two for touchdowns.
Scott is averaging 47.7 yards per punt on 46 attempts, has forced 11 fair catches, and dropped 17 punts inside the 20.
n Allen wins Chuck Bednarik Award; Robinson wins Outland Trophy: Allen and Robinson were presented individual national awards Thursday night at the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show, which took place at the College Football Hall of Fame.
Allen is the recipient of the Chuck Bednarik Award, which is presented annually to the nation’s collegiate defensive player of the year. Allen is the first recipient from Alabama. The honor is the third national award for Allen this week. The Leesburg, Virginia, native received the Bronko Nagurski Trophy on Monday and was honored with the Ted Hendricks Award on Wednesday.
Robinson took home the 2016 Outland Trophy, which is awarded each year by the Football Writers Association of America to the outstanding interior lineman in college football. Robinson is the fourth recipient from Alabama, joining Chris Samuels (1999), Andre Smith (2008), and Barrett Jones (2011).
n Five players earn spots on Sports Illustrated and USA TODAY All-America Teams: Alabama placed five players on both the Sports Illustrated and USA TODAY All-America teams, the outlets announced Thursday.
The Crimson Tide had three first-team honorees and two second-team selections on the Sports Illustrated team. Allen, Foster, and Robinson were named to the first team, while senior linebacker Tim Williams and Scott received second-team honors.
Allen and Foster also were first-team selections by USA TODAY. Senior tight end O.J. Howard and Fitzpatrick joined Williams on the second team.
n Hurts a finalist for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award: Hurts is one of five finalists for the 2016 Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, SPORTyler, Inc. announced Thursday.
Hurts, who has been named the SEC Offensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year, is the first true freshman to win player of the year honors from the league since Herschel Walker in 1980. The Channelview, Texas, native has started 12 games and is the first true freshman to start at quarterback for Alabama since 1984. He is the school’s single-season quarterback rushing leader and is on pace to break the school season records for touchdown responsibility and total offense. Hurts has thrown for 2,592 yards and 22 touchdowns and rushed for 841 yards and 12 touchdowns this season.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.