TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The honors continue to pile in for Minkah Fitzpatrick. Wednesday, the Alabama defensive back became the latest Crimson Tide player to be selected as a unanimous All-American as he was named to the American Football Coaches Association All-American team. Fitzpatrick was also named to the Associated Press, Football Writers of America, Walter Camp and Sporting News All-America teams, making him the 17th unanimous All-American during head coach Nick Saban’s tenure at Alabama.
Fitzpatrick is Alabama’s fifth-leading tackler with 52 stops, including six for a loss with 1.5 sacks. He also has an interception, seven pass breakups a forced fumble and a blocked kick. The versatile defensive back also plays several positions across the secondary.
Last week Fitzpatrick became the third player ever to with both the Chuck Bednarik and Jim Thorpe Awards in the same season, joining former LSU defensive back Patrick Peterson and former Michigan defensive back Charles Woodson. Fitzpatrick is only the second Alabama player to win the Chuck Bednarik Award, joining former defensive end Jonathan Allen who took home the honor last year.
Fitzpatrick is one of six Alabama players to be selected on the AFCA All-America team announced Wednesday. The defensive back joins linebacker Rashaan Evans as first-team selections, while center Bradley Bozeman, left tackle Jonah Williams, defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne and punter JK Scott all made the second team.
The six selections for the Tide equal the most for one team in the 73-year history of the AFCA All-America Team (2003 - Oklahoma). Alabama has now had 70 players honored a total of 74 times by the AFCA, the most of any program in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Unanimous All-Americans in Nick Saban era
2017 — Minkah Fitzpatrick
2016 — Cam Robinson, Jonathan Allen, Reuben Foster
2015 — Derrick Henry, Reggie Ragland
2014 — Amari Cooper, Landon Collins
2013 — C.J. Mosley
2012 — Chance Warmack, Dee Milliner
2011 — Trent Richardson, Barrett Jones, Mark Barron
2009 — Mark Ingram, Rolando McClain.
2008 — Andre Smith
