Five Crimson Tide Players Named to Athlon Sports Preseason All-America Team
The Alabama Crimson Tide may be entering a new era under head coach Kalen DeBoer, but the team’s elite talent pipeline continues to earn national recognition. Athlon Sports has named five Alabama players to its 2024 Preseason All-American Team, showcasing the strength of the Tide’s offensive line, special teams, and quarterback depth.
Leading the list are Parker Brailsford and Tyler Booker, both named to the First Team Offense as standout guards. Their selection affirms Alabama’s dominance in the trenches and sets high expectations for the Tide’s offensive line this fall. Brailsford, a transfer from Washington, followed DeBoer to Tuscaloosa and is already viewed as a cornerstone of the revamped offense. Booker, a returning leader, has earned praise for his power, technique, and leadership.
On special teams, Alabama landed two more First Team selections: kicker Graham Nicholson and punter James Burnip. Nicholson, a 2023 Lou Groza Award winner, transferred from Miami (OH) and brings elite accuracy to the Tide’s kicking game. Burnip, now entering his senior season, has quietly become one of the top punters in college football, known for his consistency and field-flipping ability.
Rounding out the list is quarterback Jalen Milroe, named to Athlon’s Third Team Offense. Milroe impressed in 2023 with his dual-threat abilities and game-winning poise. Though he’ll have to win the starting job again under DeBoer, his preseason recognition shows national confidence in his potential.
This mix of returners and transfers on the All-America list highlights the talent and depth Alabama still commands. Despite coaching changes, the Crimson Tide remain firmly in the national spotlight — and these five players could be central to another championship push.
